Page 7 of Look My Way (Bloody Desires #1)

Zavier

I’m exhausted after work, but not so much that I don’t have enough energy to dig up some info on my new friend—mi carino.

Pulling my phone from my pocket, I walk to my car as I use my other hand to wipe sweat from my brow.

The sun is fading but the humidity is insufferable with or without it.

My fingers are already typing in his author name before I can fully slide into my seat, and his picture pops up, along with his many book titles.

He’s everywhere—libraries, brick-and-mortar stores, sites I’ve never heard of, and he even has his own website.

If I ordered merchandise from him, would it be his hands that had touched everything? Would I get a better whiff of the lotion or body wash he uses?

It had taken everything out of me not to shove my nose in his hair so I could take more of him with me when I left.

After I’d been unable to turn the car on, I’d sat in the driver seat and watched him through the window.

When he searched the parking lot from his window, it was never in the direction I was in, though.

He was looking for a specific car. Did he ever see it?

My eyes had moved where his did as he’d scanned each person walking through the door, no change in his expression toward any of them.

Once he was in a groove, typing with his headphones in his ears, it was like he was no longer this scared man sitting in a diner.

Wherever he went in his mind kept him there for a long time.

After calling in to work, I’d read a little of his book, seeing if I could go where he was.

Panic set in him when his gaze had made its way back to the window, then he’d quickly shoved everything into his bag and rushed out the front door.

On edge, his steps had quickened toward his car.

I’d driven out of sight of where he was, and didn’t move until he pulled out onto the road.

Careful not to make it obvious he was being followed, I’d stayed a good distance behind him.

There was always at least one car between us.

It wasn’t my first time blending in with my surroundings to prevent my prey from seeing me coming.

He’s nothing like the rest, though. He’s different. So fucking different.

No, he’s the kind of target you go after to eventually keep.

I won’t have to force him to stay with me either.

I’ll figure out all his hopes and dreams, proving I’m the only one who can make them come true.

He’ll get what he wants, and I’ll get to see all his never-ending smiles in between all the blushes I’ll get when he’s naked in my bed.

There’d been a car in the driveway he pulled up to, and he’d bent down to examine one of the plants on the porch as if it was second nature to him.

Probably one of those things he did without realizing.

I’d kept watching to see what else he’d show me, and as he’d slid his key in the door, it had pulled open on its own and a taller man had ushered him inside.

My jaw had tightened, the same way it is now that I’m reliving the moment all over again.

They were both so familiar with one another.

I’d wanted to stay longer but I didn’t want to miss out on the money from any of my jobs this week.

My pulse was thrumming through my fingers as I’d tightened them on the wheel.

Curtains and blinds had prevented me from seeing in.

All they’d given me were their moving silhouettes.

Who was that guy?

Will he be there when I drive by right now?

Only one way to find out. My foot is heavy on the gas as I go over the speed limit with my mind racing.

When I asked earlier if Lex was his boyfriend, his eyes had twitched.

I was really hoping I was seeing things.

Whoever this man is, he could get in my way, and I was never a fan of that.

Not when I was running behind because some Karen was arguing with the manager of a coffee shop and preventing me from getting my favorite pick-me-up before a job.

Not when some jerk-off stole the parking space I pay for at my apartment, and not this guy either.

His car is exactly where it was earlier when I drive slowly through the quiet neighborhood.

Circling around, my nails dig into my steering wheel’s cool leather, and I park on the side of the street, trying hard to see through the blinds again.

No such luck. The lights are off too. Darkness folds over the house like a thick cloak, but it doesn’t stop the light pink shutters from standing out.

The bright door matches, along with the outer trim.

This is without a doubt his house. No one looks at other people’s plants with the amount of concern he did. He really cared about this house too. Does anyone care for him?

I’m about to drive away when one of the windows lights up, capturing my interest. The blinds are halfway up, and the curtains move. The room is a kitchen and someone is washing dishes. Not my carino, but his guest . . . Or does he live here too?

Sighing, I pick up my phone, and then my eyes go back to the man.

I’m about to text him, but a strong feeling comes over me, along with a flashback from when I was younger and a co-worker called my mom at the wrong time.

Not that this man is anything like my father, but everyone has the potential to be, and I can’t get over that recognizable fear vibrating off Liam at the diner.

As I’m putting down my phone, it vibrates and there’s a message awaiting me

Felice: I may have a new client for you!

Me: Who this time? Hopefully not another lonely cougar trying to invite me in for more than lemonade.

I don’t have to be in the same room to hear her laughter in my head.

Felice : No. It’s a guy, but that’s not to say he won’t have lemonade to offer either.

I chuckle.

Me: Who is it and what do they need?

Felice: A neighbor of mine who’s looking to have some wooden planter boxes built in his boyfriend's backyard.

Me: Well, tell them to contact me and I’ll see what I can do.

Felice: Already on it. Expect a call sometime within the next few days.

Me: Thanks. I knew I kept you around for a reason.

Felice: Oh, come on. We both know it’s more for my bomb ass personality.

Me: Sure. We can pretend that’s why.

Felice sends a few laughing emojis, and when Liam’s porch light turns on, my eyes are back on the house.

No one steps outside and no curtains move.

Could be set on some automatic timer. Either way, it’s my cue to head home.

I’d prefer to return when the mysterious guest is gone anyway, and if he ends up living here too, then I’ll just have to find reasons for him to be away from home more.

I smile when it becomes clear the other car in the driveway is one belonging to a cop. Oh yeah, I’ll sure think of something. Cops are typically pretty busy in bigger cities, and this one is about to really have his work cut out for him in the next couple of weeks.