Promiscuous (Tease 2)

“Fine,” I huffed. “Well, I’m going in. Maybe I’ll see you tomorrow.”

He took my hand and placed it on his lips, kissing me softly. My anger melted away as I stared into those brown eyes.

“Don’t be angry at me because I want to make sure you’re okay.”

“I’m not angry. I’m frustrated. There is a difference.”

“We don’t need to rush this, Beth. I’m not going anywhere.” He moved forward, cupping my face in his hands as he kissed me. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

I nodded and watched him leave. I stood by the gate until his car disappeared around the bend. Leaning back against the metal bars, I sighed.

How could I stay angry at the only person who’d ever had my best interests at heart?

Chapter Nineteen

Roman

"How old are you here?" I asked, smiling at the photo. The little girl was laughing, her blonde curls out of control around her round face.

She grabbed the picture from him and studied it.

"About three, I think." She smiled and leaned back against me. "The only good memories I have of Mom were when I was three or four. She used to play tea party with me. I had the cutest little plastic tea set. I loved the hell out of that thing."

We sat on the floor in the living room, going through her childhood memories. It saddened me that, good and bad, they all fit in a small shoebox. A few pictures, some childhood drawings, a small stuffed bear...that was it. A whole lifetime and that is all she had to show for it.

"Let's go out." I got to my feet and put my hands out. She laughed and took them, hoisting herself up.

"Where?" she asked.

"Ice cream."

"Why?" She laughed, shaking her head.

"Since when do you need a reason to have ice cream?"

She nodded. "Okay, let’s go then."

***

My jaw tensed when I saw the incoming number. I glanced over at Beth, who was still busy ordering ice cream.

“Hello?” I said, keeping my voice low.

“Roman. I was beginning to think you might’ve fled the country. You’re a hard man to get ahold of.”

“I’m a busy man. How can I help you?” I replied, my tone cool.

“I’m hoping you have some information for me. You do remember our deal, don’t you? If you’d rather just hand over the cash you owe me, that’s fine, too.” Yeah, right. Like I had a choice.

“I don’t know what you want me to say. I’m doing what you asked.”

“Are you? Because from what I hear, you’re doing more than what I asked of you. I hired you because I thought you were responsible enough to not hit on her, Roman. Or at least desperate enough for the cash.”

“What do you need?”

“I need information, Roman. My client is getting antsy. He is paying big bucks to know everything there is to know about this girl.”

“And how do I know this information is not going to be abused?” I retorted. I ran a hand through my hair, trying to keep my frustration under control.