One quick glance across the street, and he smiled.
Fay sat at a table, shoulders hunched forward, staring down.
He made his way across the street and let himself inside. Several women turned to look at him, but he ignored them all and focused on the brown-haired beauty who had yet to spot him.
She rubbed at her temple, pen in hand, and he didn’t like her feeling in any way stressed.
“You don’t need a job,” he said, sliding in next to her.
“Shit, damn it, Blaze,” she said, jumping back. She lifted her head and glanced around before turning her attention back to him.
“The coffee here any good?” he asked, reaching for hers and taking a sip. It was lukewarm, but good.
He nodded to the woman behind the counter who gave him a smile, and he pointed at the cup. She gave him two thumbs-up and got to work.
“What are you doing here, Blaze?”
“I could ask you the same question. You see, I didn’t sneak out of my bed.”
“I didn’t sneak.”
He stared at her, knowing that to be a lie.
“Okay, fine, but it wasn’t a sneak, not really, okay? It was … I don’t know what it was, but I need a job.”
“You’re living with me.”
“No, I’m not.”
“You’re a stubborn woman, aren’t you?”
She dropped her hands to the table and glared at him. “Are you so used to getting what you want?”
“Yep.”
She rolled her eyes. “Of course, you are. I don’t even know why I asked.”
He chuckled. “You’re cute when you’re pissed.” He loved the way her cheeks flushed, and she looked ready to commit murder. So fucking cute.
The woman behind the counter brought them both a coffee. He’d already finished Fay’s. He thanked the woman and handed her enough money to cover the drinks and a nice tip.
She winked at him. “If you need anything, let me know.”
He focused on Fay. “I’ve got everything I need right here.”
The woman walked away disappointed.
“Wow, you do realize you just got hit on, right?”
“And there’s only one woman I want riding my dick.”
Fay ducked her head and looked left and right. “You can’t just say those things here.”
“Why not? It’s not very busy. No kids are listening.” He folded his arms in front of him, leaning on the table. “Why can’t I tell you how I feel?”
“I need to concentrate.”
He grabbed the paper she had spread out open in front of her. “You do realize all of this is incredibly lame, right?”
“Stop it. Don’t… I’m not going to allow you to take care of me.”
“Then consider it a time for deep reflection to find out what it is you do love,” he said.
She shook her head. “You don’t understand.”
“You’ve been living on your own all your life with no one to depend on. I get it. You’re not used to trusting people, but I’m not asking you to trust people, Fay. I’m telling you to trust me.”
“Until the next girl comes along.”
“Since when do you think I’m a player?” he asked.
“You have always had a girl chasing after you.”
He chuckled. “It doesn’t mean I allowed myself to get caught, babe. I mean what I say. Just you and me, and if you think to take a job, I will ruin it for you. It’s my time to take care of you. Now, have a drink with me.”
He picked up his coffee and knew this wasn’t over, not by a long shot. Fay was going to fight him every chance she got, and he was rather looking forward to it.
Chapter Five
Fay growled as Blaze continued to hold her, even in his elevator.
He’d made sure she wouldn’t cause a scene outside, not that he needed to worry. She never would have, and this was at the coffee shop. She climbed into his car with a smile, knowing she’d use any excuse to get away.
Blaze had driven them straight to his place, and with no one around, she’d tried to make a run for it, but for her troubles, she’d been lifted right over his shoulder. Now he carried her toward his apartment.
They were on the elevator.
“Blaze, put me down.”
“Not going to happen. You’re going to run.”
“Where to? There is no place for me to run. We’re in a steel box!”
“Probably not steel.”
“Fine. A metal box. Does it really matter?”
“About what kind of materials this is made out of?”
She growled. “Put me down,” she repeated, but he refused.
“I rather like you like this. It makes you easier to transport.”
Fay was about to slam her fists against his ass, but he started to caress her ass, and she found herself frozen in place.
After leaving him that morning, she’d made her way back to her apartment long enough to change her clothes. She hadn’t wanted to risk being in one place at any one time. After leaving her apartment, she’d called Blair and then settled at the Coffee Place. It had been an awful job-hunting day.