Banging Reaper (Pounding Hearts 1)

Elm Street is a long street. It runs from the lower end of middle class to the seedier side of town. There are plenty of liquor stores as it gets towards the seedier side. She lives between a lot of liquor stores.

I have to pull into the small apartment buildings driveway. It’s one of those eight unit buildings that doesn't even have a name. The two guys sitting on the steps smoking something doesn't really lend any assurances that I am taking her to the right home.

Though with the way she's dressed, she could fit in here more than I think she does.

It's just this place doesn't look like her at all. She may be dressed like another easy ring girl but her attitude and the way she is carrying herself doesn't strike me as if this is the way she usually presents herself.

Shutting off the car, I quickly get out and walk around the front of the car, trying to get to her door.

I'm don’t think she even understands what I am trying to do as she opens the door up and gets out before I even get close to her.

“Thank you... Chase,” she says quietly as she moves to walk around me and into the apartment building.

“I'll walk you to your door.”

This place isn't exactly a dump but damn I wouldn't feel right about leaving even most of the guys I train with at the gym in a place like this.

“What’s up girl,” one of the young guys sitting on the steps of the building says to Avery, but thankfully he doesn't sound like he's hitting on her.

“Not much, James. Tell Maria I said hello,” she responds as she steps around the guys and walks up the stairs in front of me.

Damn she is sexy looking in those short shorts, her long legs showing their smooth lines. If she was into me at all, and this was my place... I would be running my hands up the back of her legs trying to see just how long they are and just how soft her skin is.

I give my head a shake as I continue to follow her up and into the building, watching her open the buildings front door and take the stairs up to the second floor. Her ass is swaying seductively the entire time, but this has to be the first time I have ever seen a woman's ass move like that without it being intentional. Damn, she can move. I bet in bed she isn't built for speed…

Fuck, I gotta get my head straight.

She walks to the back door on the right side and looks over her shoulder at me. I can't tell what the look she has on her face is as she turns to face me, but it’s definitely not one of desire.

“Mind if I check inside before I leave you here?” I ask.

Shit, I don't feel good leaving her in this kind of neighborhood. I wouldn't even feel comfortable being here all the time much less at night by myself.

“There’s no need,” she says with a smirk and she shakes her head at me. Those long black locks of hair flutter. “Anyways, Sebastian watches over the apartment when I'm not home.”

“Look, I…” start to say, but trail off not really sure where I’m going with it.

“Thank you for the ride home. Ethan, he's never done something like that before.”

She looks uncomfortable and in pain. It's all I can do not to wrap her up in my arms. She’s small compared to me, but she looks like she would fill my whole world.

“No man should ever hurt a woman,” I say quietly.

“He's not normally like that.” Shaking her head, she frowns then looks up into my eyes. ”But thank you for bringing me home tonight.”

Turning towards the door, she unlocks it and steps in without another word.

Well, fuck.

I shake my head and turn back around. Taking the stairs slowly, I walk out to my car and get in. Starting up the engine, I give it a couple of seconds while she starts to purr. Pushing the peddle down, I pull out of the driveway and leave her, cursing myself the entire time.

Avery

“No man should ever hurt a woman,” Chase said and the words just replay in my head like a broken record as I lean against my door.

I listen to him walk out, his footsteps thumping down the stairs. Then a moment later there’s no mistaking the purr of his car. He’s leaving, good. Because damn if he didn’t look like he wanted to come inside.

And for some crazy reason, I almost invited him.