Busted

Her aggravated sigh only made him smile wider. “You boys, it’s a miracle I still have any hair left.”

“So did you throw up after?” Clayton asked.

“Tell you what, Clay. We’ll talk about it—all about it—once we’re home. Grandma doesn’t wa

“Oh. Okay.” Clayton was quiet for a second and then veered onto the next topic. “When are you going to be done? I miss you.”

“Soon, buddy.” At the knock, he rolled off his bed and moved to the door. A quick look through the security hole had him frowning. No. He didn’t think he wanted to open the door. Turning away, he moved out of the bedroom to the narrow little strip that served as a balcony. There was another knock just as he shut the door.

He had no idea what Ressa wanted, but he’d already decided it was better to just let it go.

“I want a Darth Vadar backpack for school.”

At that, Trey pulled his attention back to what mattered—focusing on the excited boy on the other end of the line.

He’d surprised himself, though.

He’d taken the ring off.

He’d asked her out.

Start living again.

Yeah, he’d do that. Later. He could still feel something inside, he’d proven that. But he’d try again . . . later. With somebody who didn’t have the power to rip a hole in him with just a look.

He wouldn’t lock himself back up again.

He’d made himself that promise when he came back inside his room and saw the ring on the floor. It wasn’t meant to be a shield and it shouldn’t have been worn as a reminder of . . . whatever had happened that night.

It had been a sign of a promise, one that both he and Aliesha had honored, until death had come between them.

Now he just had to accept it—and let go of those things he couldn’t remember.

*   *   *

Feeling a little sick, Ressa stared at the coffee she held—a peace offering—and then back up at the door.

He was in there. She knew it for a fact, because she’d heard him, the low rumble of his voice. She had no idea who he was talking to and she hadn’t heard anybody else, but he was in there—ignoring her.

Sighing, she lifted her hand to knock a third time, but in the end, she turned away. Eying the narrow table behind her, she shrugged and figured it wasn’t going to hurt.

She left the coffee sitting there, with a note scrawled across the side in scrawling black.

T.

I’m sorry.

R.

*   *   *

“It’s the hottest one yet, I’m telling you.” Ellie Barrister leaned across a table roughly the size of a di

“I hear you. L. Forrester, whoever she is, puts some of the best I’ve ever read to shame. I just wish she’d do interviews.” Tori Caldwell clicked her beer to Ly

Ressa snorted and shook her head. Sitting at a table surrounded by her friends, they were talking books and men and life in general. “Sounds a lot like somebody else I know.” Although, to be fair, there was information out there on Trey. She just hadn’t looked.

At the curious gazes directed her way, she shrugged. “Actually, there are a few authors I can think of who fit that bill. Some of them are weird. You ought to know that by now.”

“True. And if weird translates to amazing . . . then fine. Be weird. But she could at least talk to me. I mean, listen to this . . .” Lynette flipped through the book and stopped close to halfway through.

Ressa winced. “If you spoil that book for me, I’ll smack you over the head with it.”

“I’ve already finished mine.” Ellie gri

“Nothing is going to top You, I Desire,” Ressa said, absolutely certain.

“Guys? Hush.” Ly

“She shouldn’t be here.” Ly

“She’s telling us to hush,” Tori muttered, shaking her head.

“Another billionaire?” Ressa rolled her eyes. “You know I hate billionaire books.”

“Me, too.” Tori slumped in her chair, her gaze roaming the room. “I want another drink. Should I go to the bar or hope we can flag our server?”

“The bar. It’s packed,” Ly

Ressa started to laugh. “Shows that a woman is writing it. Men don’t believe in love at first sight. Sex, yeah . . . but love?” She shrugged. “I don’t know if I believe in love at first sight.”

“I do.” A wide, satisfied smile settled over Ellie’s face. She had just celebrated her tenth a

“I think I could believe in it . . . if I met the right guy. Now let me read.” Ly

“She shouldn’t be here. She liked this guy—she wasn’t supposed to like him. It was a job—he was a job. She was supposed to get to know more about him, understand what kind of guy he was now and how he’d gone from Geek Central to Mr. GQ and then . . . then . . .

“‘Nina? Hey, what are you doing here? I thought you—’”

Fuck the job. With need and want a vicious tangle inside her, she launched herself at him. His mouth opened under hers and it was a vivid, almost vicious delight when his tongue rubbed against hers. His arms came around her and her head started to spin—

“Oh. Oh, wow. Who in the hell is that?” Tori whispered, interrupting Ly

Ressa looked over her shoulder and damn near choked. “Sweetheart, you don’t want that.”

“Yes, oh, yes I do.” She hummed a little under her breath as she leaned forward.

“You all are killing me.” Ly

“Hey!”

Gri

Ly

“Okay. Fantasize away.”

“Ah . . . he’s coming over here, ladies.” Ly

“Ressa. How lovely to run into you again.”

She didn’t bother smiling as she looked up at Baron. “Baron.” Then she looked back at the group. “So, has anybody speculated much about—”

“Ladies, I was wondering, if maybe—”

Teeth grinding together, Ressa turned her head. Jack-ass.

With a sweet smile, she met his gaze. “Yes, Mr. Capstone? Did you need something?”