Page 9 of Look My Way (Bloody Desires #1)

“Yeah . . . I’m washing all the curtains today.

” Because if I told him they’d randomly gone missing at some point today, while I’ve been the only one home, then he’ll be sharing those same looks as Daniel.

There’s still a chance I can have one person in my life not see me that way .

. . only, he won’t be staying. He can’t.

Then again, I might need more planter boxes, or a wooden bench or porch swing built.

He makes a quizzical expression, twisting his mouth. “Is that what’s happening?”

“Yeah. I do it every other month. The dust is horrible sometimes, and I get bad allergies.” Man, when I make up a story in my head, I really keep going with it.

I’m once again one of my characters, not sure where I’m going next until the gaps are filled in by the person writing me.

The dust does get to me when it’s bad, but I haven’t washed the curtains in forever.

I make a note in my head to check the laundry room as soon as Zavier leaves.

“Sounds reasonable. I don’t bother with any of that, but I’m also not home a whole lot to be bothered by gathering dust anyway.”

“So, what you’re saying is that if I were to go to your place, there wouldn’t be only dust bunnies but dust dogs and cats too.”

“You inviting yourself over already? We should at least have date three first, shouldn’t we?” His eyes spark something in them and he laughs. “I’m fucking with you. Let’s see this back yard, shall we?”

My teeth grind together and I nod, leading him to the door in the kitchen. I open it, allowing him to walk out first, and he turns to face me before I can reach where he is. “Where are you wanting them, and how many?”

“Along that fence over there.” I point, shielding my eyes from the sun. “Did Daniel say he was going to be here too?”

“He said he might be, but my last job finished earlier than expected, so I came an hour before I told him I could. You don’t mind, do you?”

“No. Of course not. I just don’t know what he told you he wanted, is all.”

He glances at my small fenced-off garden and back at me. “This is for you, isn’t it?”

My head slowly bobs up and down.

“Then tell me what you want.” He tugs off his shirt revealing a gray tank underneath. His muscles flex as he extends the tape measure he plucks from his pocket. He has a large tattoo on his left bicep—a rattlesnake, appearing larger when he spreads his arms apart.

I can’t stop looking at him. He moves so fast too, his face changing as he positions the measuring tape. His brows bunch together and he nods to himself, muttering something.

“I’m listening whenever you’re ready.” He smirks back at me.

I almost touch my face to make sure my mouth isn’t hanging open. He’s got this flirty stance going as he swipes sweat from his brow. My mouth goes dry, and I can’t believe the places my mind is going. They’ve never gone there with Daniel, so why now? Why him?

That naughty look he’s giving me is practically saying why not him. I swallow hard and look around, forgetting why he’s here when his shirt lifts as his fingers scratch at his lower back. No more ink. What about other places on his body?

He clears his throat. “You okay over there?”

“Yeah.” My face heats. Get it together, he asked you an important question earlier.

What the hell was it? My fingers slide halfway into my pockets and I rock back on my feet, forcing my eyes anywhere but him.

It’s harder than it should be, but I finally manage to look where my garden is.

That’s right. Boxes for my plants. He’s here to build something he’s being paid for, not for me to ogle or beg him to pin me to the fence to take my measurements next.

“Sorry. The heat is getting to me, I guess.” I shove my hands deeper into my pockets, stepping closer. “How many boxes do you think we can fit there?”

He straightens his stance, slipping the measuring tape back in his pocket. “Four or five depending on the size.”

I calculate everything I want to grow in my head as I lift one hand to my right hip.

Before this big surprise, I had it all figured out.

The color paint I wanted to buy, the seeds I wanted to plant, and how many of each I’d like to fit in each box.

Tapping my chin, I press my feet tighter together and finally say, “Four. Tomatoes, cilantro, jalapenos . . .” My mind draws a blank on the fourth item.

“Cucumbers? Eggplant?” He names a few and my mind goes completely to the gutter while my eyes fight not to travel down his faded jeans.

I don’t think I’ve known anyone else who wears their clothes so damn well, almost as if they were perfectly tailored to fit his body.

Those jeans especially. Oh my god, I’m out of control.

Where is Daniel when I’m actually ready for him to be home?

I need the attention I’m giving this man to go to my fiancé.

Someone I’m allowed to have dirty thoughts about.

Wait . . . is that what I’m having? My gaze falls to the bulge below his belt, then I quickly lift my head back up. His head tilts from side to side, his eyes following my movements. “Did I get it right? Surely whatever it is isn’t where you keep looking.” His tone is mocking, and I’m mortified.

“I’m . . . I’m not . . .”

“Oh good, you’re still here,” Daniel says from the door.

I tense up, hoping he didn’t hear any of our conversation. How long has he been there? Daniel’s great at sneaking up on me when he doesn’t want me to hear him. Then that has me pondering something else. Has he been here all along? Did he take down all the curtains? Did he hire Zavier on purpose?

An arm wraps around my shoulder, and I do my best to relax against my fiancé as he plants a hard kiss on my cheek.

“Yeah. We’re just about done for the day, though. I got all the measurements and should be able to start Monday.”

“Excellent. I won’t be here, but Liam will, and he can let you in again. He works from home so anytime you’re able to get here should be fine.”

My shoulders drop and I sink more into him. He can’t know anything if he’s suggesting for us to be alone together again.

“Let’s go with nine in the morning. How’s that sound?” Zavier’s gaze travels between us and Daniel answers before I can.

“Perfect. I’m sure this one here is more excited than he looks. Probably skipped lunch again.”

I did, but that has nothing to do with how uneasy I am right now. The empty stomach probably doesn’t help, though.

“We all have our ways of showing excitement, and he looks happy enough to me. Just wait until he sees the finished product. I bet his whole face will light up then.”

“I am excited,” I say. “It’s a great gift and it’ll be a perfect addition to my back yard.”

“Glad to hear it.” Daniel speaks again. “It isn’t exactly cheap, but I did hear that this guy right here is the best, and you deserve nothing less.” He squeezes me tighter, and his fingers press a little too hard into my side.

He nuzzles his nose into my neck lovingly, his hot breath causing the hair on the back of it to rise.

“I’m sure that’s true. I’m happy to provide that for him . . . and you too,” Zavier adds, smiling as his eyes go from me to Daniel.

Daniel’s pleased by his answer, releasing his hold on me to hand Zavier his black button down. “Hopefully it won’t be as hot that early in the morning for you.”

“Yeah, it usually isn’t.” Zavier snatches his shirt away and steps back as he slides it back on. “It was nice meeting you both, and I’ll see y’all Monday.”

“Yeah, same to you,” I say and walk toward the house first, glancing behind me when I don’t hear any following footsteps.

Daniel is doing that thing he does when a man he doesn’t know well is in this close proximity of me—sizing him up.

“You two coming?” I call back to them.

Daniel smiles, nodding, and with a side glance he sticks out his arm in front of him. “After you.”

Giving a silent thank you, Zavier walks past me and into the house first. Daniel and I follow. As soon as he’s close enough, he grabs my hand as if to establish that he’s the only one allowed to be this close—the only one allowed to touch me.

Grabbing his bag from the floor by the couch that I didn’t notice him bring in, Zavier slides it up his shoulder, and Daniel moves forward to open the door.

The man has overstayed his welcome for the day, and this is my fiancé’s way of getting his message across.

“Enjoy the rest of your evening,” Daniel says with a flat tone.

Letting out a breath with a tight smile, Zavier gives a salute. “You too.”

The door slams as soon as he steps onto the porch and turns his back to us. Daniel clicks the lock and his hand moves to my shoulder. “Should we order in for dinner tonight?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“You look exhausted so I think that will be best.” He guides me to the couch and sits down after I do, turning toward me. “What are you in the mood for?”

I shrug. “Doesn’t matter. Whatever you want is fine.”

“Chinese, then? I’ll get you your favorite, orange chicken.”

“Sounds great.” I lean against the cushions, kicking off my shoes.

Daniel plucks his phone from his pocket and uses the online option to place our order while keeping one hand secured tightly on my thigh. Did I look in Zavier’s direction too much? Did I smile too often when responding or acknowledging him?

Daniel lifts his eyes to me. They darken as he tosses his phone onto the coffee table, and he says, “Scoot further back and let me see those feet.” He pats his legs and I do as he says, stretching out my legs.

His hands are gentle at first and then grow rougher as he continues to dig his fingers into the grooves of my feet, his face hardening.

I don’t know what I did while Xavier was here, but there’s no doubt in my mind now that it was in fact the wrong thing.

Pressing harder, his fingers curl and I bite back a pained groan.

He asks for my other foot and I watch the clock on the wall, the hand moving too slowly as I wait for the food to get here.

I fight back tears as he pinches my skin, and he hums the same song he always does when he’s overly eager to take care of me in the only way he thinks is best. I was wrong.

There are times I capture all his attention, but it’s usually when I want it the least.