Page 6 of Temptation Unleashed (Talaenian Fae #3)

“ L ast table’s out!” the remaining busser announced as he bounded into the wait station, pouring an armful of dishes into the dish pit.

Rori McMallin rinsed off the nozzles to the soda machine and began twisting them onto each spicket, her thoughts momentarily interrupted—a small blessing.

Thoughts often got away from her of late, and she couldn’t escape the keen eyes of her closest friends.

Brandon Ramirez, one of said friends, rounded her and did a final wipe of the countertop with a playful nudge to her arm.

“What’s left?” he asked, taking the last nozzle from her palm and fitting it in place. She snickered and shook her head, drying her damp hands on her apron.

“That was the last. Just need to tidy up and we should be set.”

Behind the light-hearted grin and casual lean, his eyes assessed her with razor-sharp precision.

She was all too familiar with Brandon’s distractions away from her past as he tried to gauge her current state, both physical and mental.

She’d become a pro at masking the true extent of discomfort she felt from her healing ribs and bruised psyche.

She didn’t care to relive the terror every time they asked if she was doing okay.

She appreciated the concern, not the constant reminder of the ordeal she’d finally managed to escape.

“Hour after closing. Ridiculous,” Brandon said, twisting to lean against the counter, crossing his arms over his chest. “Hope they tipped well.”

“Hope so, too, since that table started and ended Cassy’s night.”

Rori gathered up the wet rags from the sink and tossed them into the laundry basket, receiving a pungent whiff of food waste, soggy linen, and chemicals that burned her nostrils.

She washed her hands and gathered hers and Cassy’s belongings from the office.

Her closest gal pal whipped around the corner into the wait station as Rori and Brandon approached, her eyes bright and wisps of mussed blond hair sprayed around her flushed face.

“Didn’t do you dirty, I gather?” Brandon asked.

Cassy waved her hand dismissively with a snort.

“Not my best night, let’s just leave it at that.

At least I’ve someone to look forward to, and he’ll make it all better.

” She took her purse from Rori’s outstretched hand.

“Thanks, girl. Ready? Carl gave us the green light to book. God knows I need a shower and a few drinks at Steve’s. ”

Hooking her arm around Rori’s, Cassy gave a tug as she led them from the wait station.

Rori schooled a grimace as dull pain radiated through her side and managed to keep her steps steady.

However, when she glanced back at Brandon with a forced grin as he paused to clap their manager on the shoulder, his eyes flashed knowingly.

Damn it .

Cassy released her arm once they were in the parking lot.

Rori untied her apron, slowing her pace a half-step behind her friend as she folded the soiled garment and tucked it under her arm.

She loosened her tie and unbuttoned her shirt, freeing herself from the stifling collar.

One day, she wouldn’t have to do this anymore.

Until then, restaurant work was her only means of getting through college and paying the bills.

One day…

Her phone vibrated in her purse, announcing another incoming text. She dug it from the outer pocket and swallowed the sudden swell of bile at the back of her throat. Her heart and stomach danced in a nervous bundle, though she knew—she damn well knew —she had nothing to worry about anymore.

I hate you for doing this to me. Weakening me like this.

“That hijo de puta still hounding you?”

Rori pasted on a shaky smile, though her lips resented the gesture, and shoved her phone away. She poked Brandon straight between his muscled pecs and arched a brow.

“Them be fightin’ words.”

Brandon didn’t return the smile, nor the attempt to lighten the mood. Instead, he caught her hand, bringing her to pause, and leaned close, his dark eyes sharp and dead serious. “I mean them, too. He should know when to leave people and things alone.”

“He’s not worth it. His texts are harmless.

Just a bunch of apologies, yada yada yada.

” She laughed, an unsteady sound that matched the sudden unease of bringing up her ex with Brandon.

She had him and Cassy to thank for escaping the crazy son of a bitch, but since then, both of her friends had become overbearingly protective. “Harmless.”

Brandon scowled, straightening away and glancing over the parking lot before turning his piercing gaze back to her.

“ Fractured ribs, bloodied and bruised face, and whatever else you haven’t shared with Cassy or me is not harmless , sweetheart.

Don’t minimize what he did to you. He deserves your wrath, not your fear. ”

“I don’t fear him.”

Brandon held up her hand in his, adjusting his grip until he pinched her wrist between his thumb and forefinger, and arched a brow at her trembling fingers.

She twisted her hand away and sighed, resuming her hike to Cassy’s car.

Her friend was already stripping off her uniform shirt and sneakers at the open trunk, her phone caught between her shoulder and ear.

“It’s not fear,” Rori murmured.

“You’re fearless in most things, but when it comes to Rich, he delivered trauma that isn’t so easily wiped away or masked from those who know you.”

Rori moistened her lips and nodded once, more to herself.

She managed a small grin and looked up at Brandon, who had fallen into step beside her.

Brandon, who possessed an allure that attracted so many, and an edge of caution that most heeded.

He provided her with a sense of security when she needed it most, but it was false, however comforting it may be.

The sharp edge in the lines of his handsome face finally began to soften. The seriousness glinting in his eyes dissipated to something more relaxed when he cast her a glance.

“Speaking of, how’re the ribs?”

“Still sore, to be expected, even six weeks out. But almost back to my old self. Trays are becoming easier to handle.”

“Except when Cassy grabs you by the arm and hauls your ass outta work.”

Rori laughed. “Yeah, you caught that, didn’t you.”

“Mm.” Another ding from her phone. Brandon groused, his jaw locking, “Can I block him? Please? ”

“No.”

“Self-induced torture.”

“It’s the least worrisome means of him trying to communicate. I can ignore him all I want, but I can’t escape him should he decide to confront me.”

“ Stupido bendajo if he tries.”

“Are you two coming?” Cassy called. She had pulled the passenger door open for Rori, waving her over.

Rori chuckled and picked up her pace, flicking open the buttons of her shirt.

She got it. Cassy couldn’t wait to see her boy toy.

Hell, who could manage that amount of willpower if they had a man like Steve?

The guy was as gorgeous as he was kind, and he treated her best friend like a queen.

He even treated Rori and Brandon like family, including them in just about everything.

After her latest failed relationship, she’d happily live vicariously through the joy of her friends.

Rori cast her apron into the open trunk and peeled off her greasy shirt and filthy sneakers, putting them in their designated spots in her work bin. She shut the trunk, sidled by Cassy, and lowered herself into the passenger seat.

“He’s so sweet. Said he’ll have dinner and drinks waiting for us.

Mentioned a new recipe,” Cassy practically squealed.

Her eyes glowed with more excitement than a child at Christmas.

Rori’s heart gave a hard thump, and she fought back the urge to burst out laughing.

Recipe, sure. Maybe in the bedroom. Her friend’s love for her boyfriend was something Rori could only hope to have one day in the future.

Definitely not anytime soon.

“Sounds more like you’ll be Steve’s guinea pigs. The alcohol will make his meal more palatable.” Brandon held up his hands when Cassy’s smile dropped and she cast a glower his way. “Trust me, I know.”

“You should come, too. You and Steve get along great and always liven up the nights,” Cassy suggested. She tugged his arm. “What do you say? Dinner and drinks and, you know, time with friends .”

Heat bubbled up Rori’s neck and painted her face a bright shade of red.

Cassy’s side-eye implication at the mention of “friends” was enough to make her nervous in a completely different way.

It was unspoken knowledge that Brandon’s interest in Rori went deeper than that of a brotherly best friend.

Unfortunately, Rich had slipped into her life before she realized Brandon’s interest, only to leave her in disarray and ruining any chance of something happening between them for the time being.

His protective behavior transitioned to that of a man protecting his woman after her ordeal.

She adored him for it, to an extent. Both him and Cassy treated her like a fragile victim, but she refused to be a victim. What happened was done. It wouldn’t ever happen again.

Judging by the faint deepening rose of his tanned cheeks, Brandon caught Cassy’s innuendo loud and clear. He cleared his throat and cast one of his devilish smiles, dimples and all, to them both.

“Gonna pass tonight. Unlike other dedicated, straight-A students, I’m behind in class. And if I recall, we’ve a killer exam coming up.” He graced both Cassy and Rori’s cheeks with kisses and headed through the low-growing shrubs to his car. “Cassy, behave. Catch ya later, chicas .”

Rori pulled her phone from her purse as Cassy rounded the car, making quick work of deleting the mass texts from Rich and silencing her phone. She didn’t need to read them to know what they contained. It was the same shit over and over.