Banging Reaper (Pounding Hearts 1)

Chase’s eyes fly up from his phone and he gives me a dark look of death. “What? Why are you giving that asshole the time of day?”

Woah. Things just got awkward quick. “Um,” I answer and drop what’s left of my pizza before crossing my arms over my chest. “Because I told him I would? Weren’t you right here when I did?”

Chase nods and there’s a stern set to his jaw. “You should blow him off. You don’t have to talk to him after what he did to you.”

I sigh. Honestly, if I could blow Ethan off, I would. But things are complicated.

“He wants a chance to apologize to me. And some stuff has come up with work. I might need to find another job. I don’t know. I need to talk to him to find out.”

Jobs aren’t easy to come by here, especially for unqualified people like me who are in school and can only work specific hours. I’d much rather keep the job I have because it works with my schedule, and it keeps me off the streets with a little food on my table. But if I have to find another job, I need to find it as soon as possible. Rent isn’t going to pay itself and I’m pretty sure Sebastian will be none too thrilled if he has to start sharing his cat food with me.

I can tell Chase doesn’t like my reason for meeting up with Ethan just by the dark look on his face. And I can’t blame him, really. He saw what Ethan did to me and he almost went to jail sticking for up for me. But what can he do?

He must be thinking the same thing because his mouth keeps opening as if he wants to say something. He probably wants to tell me he doesn’t want me to meet up with Ethan, and he can tell me that, but if he orders it, I’m going to give him the boot.

If Chase wants to be with me, he’s going to have to accept that Ethan and I are friends. But right now, feelings are raw all around. Maybe after some time, we can all manage to get along.

“Just meet him in a public place,” Chase finally says begrudgingly. “I don’t trust him. Do you want me to come with you?”

“No,” I say right away. Not a good idea. “You should definitely not come with me.”

I can only imagine how Ethan would react if I showed up with Chase as protection. I don’t want to start a war.

“I fully plan on meeting him somewhere public, where there are lots of witnesses.”

Chase still looks frustrated and I feel bad that I caused it. I wish I never brought it up now. I don’t want to end what happened here between us, no matter how confusing it still is, on a sour note.

I step around the counter and hesitantly step into his personal b

ubble. I shouldn’t have been so hesitant because he immediately reaches for me and pulls me into him.

“I had a really great night,” I say softly and feel myself blushing again like I’m some silly school girl.

Chase sighs and bends down, pressing his forehead against mine. It’s totally sweet until his hands slide down to my ass. “I had a really great night too.”

“When I’m done with everything tonight, can I call you?”

“Yes,” Chase says and his hands give my butt a hard squeeze.

We end up kissing and nearly tearing each other’s clothes off. We somehow find the strength to separate before we get too carried away.

It’s insane how easily, how quickly he can ignite me. I send him out the door with a smile and promise to call him as soon as I’m available.

I walk back to my room and grab my books, intent on doing some studying. My whole apartment smells like sex though. Like sex and Chase. It’s too damn distracting. I end up leaving for school, hoping I’ll get some work done in the library.

Chapter Ten

Avery

I tried to study, I truly did but my eyes just kept blurring at the words, going out of focus. And if I wasn’t thinking about Chase and all the amazing things he can do with his body, I was dreading talking to Ethan. I just couldn’t win.

My child development class wasn’t much better. This time I sat in the back and zoned out until the very end of class when my instructor mentioned paid internships. I nearly flew out of my desk and elbowed my classmates out of the way to get my hands on an application.

If I could land the internship which is a paid position doing administrative work at the local youth shelter, it would solve my working for Ethan problem. The work experience and extra credits would be nice too.

I filled out my application and handed it over to the instructor before heading out the door.

Once out the door, I pulled out my phone. I’m staring at the screen while I walk.