Page 55

Shit, voicemail.

The computerized words cradled against my ear. Clicking end, I threw the phone onto the counter.

This woman had her nails dug so far into my gut, they twisted around a piece of my existence that had been dulled by the scars of my life for so long.

I felt like a newborn inhaling its first breath of air. The crisp oxygen expanded my lungs, my heart thumping to a real beat, pushing heat into every vein.

Life flowed again for more than my own comfort.

Listening to the tapping of rain, my eyes were fixed on the phone. The reverberating noise filled my insides, mixing with her image and the numbing desire to caress her, to keep her safe.

Grabbing the phone, I dialed again. I wasn't going to let her father hover his control over her anymore, rules are meant to be broken.

And I was willing to break them all.

Pushing the speaker closer, the ringing traced small circles around my ear. “Hello?” The words floated into my head with such ease, a soothing melody that calmed my nerves.

“Cadence, it's Quinn,” I said, slightly surprised she had even picked up. I knew she was at the bar, her voice was muffled under a whisper.

The music was blaring in the background, voices rising and falling behind her, making it difficult to even hear her already quiet tone. “What? Why are you calling me now? You know I can't talk.”

“Sounds to me like you're talking just fine. Is it busy tonight?” Cracking a smile to myself, I laughed.

“Quinn, this is not a good time. I told you that.”

I could hear her rolling her eyes. “Yeah, yeah, rule one, don't call you at work. In case you haven't noticed, Sweetheart, I'm not one for rules.”

“Right, they don't apply to you. I can't talk long, what is it?”

“What are you doing after work tonight? I've got a friend here who misses you.” Even hearing her voice made my cock stiff, thickening against my jeans. I could see her lips moving when I closed my eyes. The delicate skin sheathing my length, wrapping around tightly.

“Are you fucking kidding me? You called me for that?” I could hear in her tone she tried to tug her smile down, but I knew it gleamed across her face.

“Don't tell me your pussy isn't aching too?” Running my tongue over my bottom lip, I gripped my shaft with wanton need.

Exhaling into the phone, she said, “Uh, nope. Sorry, you have the wrong number.”

'Click'

I knew instantly, The Macro had made his presence known.

Rubbing the back of my neck, I paced around my kitchen. I should have been going out to look for a job, checking the local sites, doing anything to make sure I didn't end up out on the street.

Yet, Cadence was all I could think about. I wanted to see her, feel her. I wanted to make sure her father knew his daughter had eyes for me.

And I wanted him to know there wasn't shit he could do about it.

Grabbing my wallet, I pulled on a plain, gray t-shirt and headed out the door.

I think I could use a drink.

Walking the few blocks to the bar, I thought it was warmer than usual for April. The tepid weather gave way to large drops of water plopping hard into the pavement. The air was thick with moisture, hitting my chest with force.

It reminded me of Rainee, and all the times we had spent as kids outside during the summer. We'd make homemade ramps and launch our bikes into large, inviting puddles. The two of us would play football in his backyard, while his mother would yell at us that we'd get sick.

We were inseparable, best friends turned brothers.

Fuck, it still hurts.