Page 7 of Entangled With The Hellhound

“What does he look like?” Stone asks.

“Umm. Black guy, real light skin, low haircut. Lots of tattoos on his neck.” I don’t exactly think that’s a very good description considering everyone has neck tattoos, but there is a tiny flicker of recognition. However, the look is replaced so fast I almost feel like I imagined it.

“What was he in jail for?” Stone’s words are measured, and the look on his face grows even colder. I’m not sure if he knows who Raymond is, but if looks can kill, Raymond is surely dead.

“A multitude of things, but what he got the most time for was drug dealing and gun running.”

“How much time did he get?” Stone asks in an even tone.

“Umm. Well, in total, for everything he was accused of, he got thirty-five to life.”

At my words, Stone’s whole body freezes. Then he nods and pulls his phone out of his pocket. I watch him closely as he types out a quick text. Then he relaxes and looks at me with a warm smile on his face.

It’s like I just watched a switch flip, and he’s gone from freezing cold to sizzling hot. The sexy look is back on his face, and he moves closer to me. I’m dizzy by the change in direction, and I don’t know what to think.

I mean, my body is still coiled tight from being on high alert with Raymond’s crazy ass. Now, my spinning brain is trying to figure out if I should run or rub my body against the beast looking at me like I’m his next meal. I can’t say it isn’t a difficult decision because my flight and fight responses are all out of whack with this man around.

“So, Roxy… are you having fun? I know this isn’t your usual hangout.” I know he’s just making an observation, especially because I’ve been wide-eyed most of the night. However, I still feel obligated to explain myself. Plus, he’s thankfully changing the subject, so I take the lifeline he’s throwing me.

“Honestly, I don’t do much hanging out at all.” I shrug as I try not to let my embarrassment show on my face.

Since I was able to get out of the trouble Raymond got me in, I have been keeping my nose clean. All I do is work, and even when I’m off, I’m thinking about work. I just want to get ahead in life, and being an entrepreneur was the best way I felt I could. So, I became a makeup artist.

It was difficult when I first started, but I made a name for myself with every successful client I had. Now, I have a few famous clients and a large social media following. But not a real social life. That’s why Dee insisted we hang out tonight. If I do go out it’s to network and make connections. Not to have fun.

“I guess this is your walk on the wild side?” Again, Stone’s face is unreadable, but for some reason, I feel like he’s judging me. And I really don’t appreciate it.

“Please believe I have plenty of experience on the wild side. I’m good. I don’t need to come to the backwoods of Texas to get a taste. But thanks or whatever.” My words drip with my defensiveness, and I know Stone heard my attitude because his thick dark brow quirks up.

“Well, alrighty then. Don’t get your panties in a bunch about it.” Stone gives me a dazzling smile, and I roll my eyes at him.

He thinks he’s cute. So what if he is… I don’t have to like his smart-aleck remarks.

“Whatever,” I grumble because I can’t resist his charming ass even though I want to.

“Come on, little lamb…” Stone starts, but I cut him off.

“Yeah, that little lamb shit is not cute.”

“Yeah, but the wide-eye deer in headlights look on your face I’ve seen several times tonight is.” He chuckles, and I scowl at him.

“A deer and a lamb are two different animals genius.” I can’t help but sass him.

Stone gives a big belly laugh, and I can’t help but smile. “I know they’re two different animals, but calling you ‘deer’ makes me sound like I’m somebody’s granddaddy.”

I laugh because Stone is right. He does sound like he’s an eighty-year-old calling his grandkid.

“Okay, I’ll give you that. But, not lamb. How about just Roxy?”

“Come on, lamb. Everybody has a nickname around here.” He gives me a devilish grin, and I want to give in and tell him to call me whatever the hell he wants, but I hold up my sassy demeanor because our little battle is getting me tingly in all the right places.

“Youdon’t have a nickname. Right?” I quirk my eyebrow at him. After all, he did say his real name was Stone.

“Not one you’ll ever wanna know about, sweetheart. Believe that.” Stone’s bright eyes flash with a darkness that I wish I could say I’ve never seen before, but I have.

This man might have a quirky sense of humor with witty comebacks and flirty banter, but underneath all of that is something bleak that draws me to him. I see it. And as he looks me deep in my eyes, he knows I see it.

“Well, I guess I’ll stick to calling you, Stone. And you can call me Roxy. After all, itismy nickname.”