Shot in the Dark (Blackbridge Security 2)

“Pull my hair,” I’d tell him, and he’d do it, only to ask if it’s too hard a second later. He couldn’t read my body, blaming me instead of his lack of skill when I wasn’t turned on and ready for him after he put so much effort into helping me through discovery. I remember thinking he was a great guy. He was kind and attentive until the last time. Leaving me tied up—not very well I might add as I was able to escape his knots in seconds—and telling me that pussy wasn’t worth this much effort. He could easily hit the frat house and have his cock in a girl’s throat in minutes.

Okay… maybe I do know where my apprehension and trauma came from, but that was so long ago. I never imagined it would still be affecting me now.

Clearly, I’m not over it.

When I leave the sauna, I almost convince myself to just head straight back up to my apartment, but I turn to the right and get back on the treadmill instead. I need something to keep me focused because if I head up now, I’m going to be very tempted to message Wren and tell him there’s no need in waiting for dinner tomorrow when he can have me for lunch today.Chapter 15Wren

“Where did this guy come from?” I mutter as I look down at the message I just sent to Whitney.

Me: Be ready for dinner at seven. Wear a dress. No panties.

More importantly, why did I schedule the date tomorrow and not for tonight? Waiting another twenty-four hours seems impossible. The anticipation is killing me, especially when I’ve been hard since last night. I wanted to hide out after tripping like a clumsy fool, but the desire to see her won out. God, did that pay off in dividends this morning.

The elevator dings, opening up to the BBS offices just as her return message comes in.

Whitney: So nothing to cover my *cat emoji?

I stumble over my own two feet, my phone flying out of my hands.

“Way to make an entrance, klutz,” Ignacio says as he reaches for my phone that’s near his feet.

I lunge for him. “I’ll murder you.”

He backs away, hands held in mock surrender near his ears, but my reaction was clearly an overreaction judging by the sets of eyes locked on me.

“You shouldn’t watch your anime porn in public spaces,” Jude chides, his eyes lighting up with his joke.

“Is he still doing that?” Deacon asks as he pulls a cup of coffee from under the machine. “Are you still doing that? If I lose Pam because you can’t keep your di—”

“I’m not looking at porn!”

Ignacio snorts, making me wonder just how much of my screen he saw before I scooped up my phone.

“Murder,” I warn again under my breath.

“You’re acting weird,” Brooks says.

“He’s always weird,” Flynn adds, his British accent making it seem even more insulting.

“This is about a girl,” Deacon says, walking closer as his eyes narrow. “I recognize that look on your face because I see it every day in the mirror.”

Gaige makes a gagging noise as if the thought of falling or being in love is disgusting. He’s our acquisitions guy, excellent at catching women too, but he just never has any intentions of keeping them for very long.

“Is it about Whitney?” Finn asks, his red hair all over the place like he fell asleep on the couch and didn’t bother to freshen up. “Have you met her in person?”

I hate the hopeful look on his face.

“Aye,” I answer in a mocking tone.

“I’m Irish, not Scottish, you gobshite!”

Several of the guys chuckle, but like always, I hate being the center of attention. Now that the conversation has predictably turned to Whitney, I want even less to do with speaking to them about it.

“As a matter of fact,” I find myself saying, “I had coffee with her two weeks ago, and we’re going to dinner tomorrow.”

“Chuck E. Cheese?” Jude asks. “Did you embarrass yourself on your coffee date?”

Finn and Gaige both perk up with his question, and I’m ecstatic to ruin their hopefulness.

“Our first date was a complete success. Looks like you guys are out of the pool.”

All three of them groan good naturedly just as Ignacio, Brooks, and Quinten high five each other for still being in the running. They look at me with expectation, as if I’m going to give them details of what happened between Whitney and me. Not gonna happen guys.

I head to my office, knowing at least one of them will follow me.

Unfortunately, rather than Gaige or Finn tagging along to continue roasting me, it’s Deacon who closes us in my office together.

“Did you give her the box back?”

“Nosy fucker!” Puff Daddy squawks.

Deacon doesn’t even bat an eye at my bird.

“Did you?” he asks again when I don’t answer.