WHAT IN THE EVER-LOVING FUCK?
I dropped onto the couch in the break room and stared at my hands.
Hands that had been wrapped around Eden’s curvy ass.
Fuck. Just like that kiss the night I carried her out of the bar, it shouldn’t have happened. I should have held her off and set her right back on her feet as soon as she launched herself at me, but I didn’t think. I just . . . fucking reacted. The sweet taste of her hadn’t changed, and my cock was just as rock hard as it had been that night.
I wanted more.
Shit.
I knew better than to get mixed up with her, but fuck if it wasn’t sounding like the best idea I’d had in a long damn time.
You looked like you could use rescuing . . .
When was the last time anyone had ever given enough of a fuck to want to rescue me? I hadn’t let anyone get that close. That’s what moving around every couple of years did for you. Kept you light. No roots. No cares. No one to pry into your past and try to dig out your darkest secrets. Nothing to lose. And that was the way I’d always liked it.
So why was I letting myself get sucked in?
I had absolutely no fucking clue.
The door to the employee break room opened and smacked against the wall. I jerked my head around to see if it was Eden, shocked that she might follow me in here.
But it wasn’t. It was Con.
“I know I was drunk, but that’s the girl from the Mardi Gras party, right? She here for some ink?”
“Yeah, that’s her, but negative on the ink. She look like the type to you?”
He tilted his head at me. “That don’t mean shit. You’ve seen Van. Wouldn’t think she’d be the type either, but you’d be wrong.”
“True.”
“So, what’s she doing here if she’s not here for ink? Waiting for you?”
I jammed a hand into my hair. There was no way in hell I was going to explain what had just happened. Fuck, I didn’t even know myself.
“I don’t know yet. I’m working it out.”
“And?”
“And nothing.”
Con’s eyebrow rose. “You really expect me to believe that you’re not sitting back here avoiding her because you’re fucking terrified of getting sucked into the classy-broad trap? Been there. Done that. Never want out.”
From outside the break room, I could hear a female voice.
“Van out there talking to her?” I asked.
Con nodded. “Yeah, and they’re probably best friends by now. If you were trying to get rid of her, you’re probably screwed.”
I dropped my head back until it smacked against the wall. “She’s running from something, and I don’t have a fucking clue what to do with her. I can’t leave her to fend for herself because the next place I’d see her would probably be on the six o’clock news.”
“Well, shit. Can’t let that happen. She need a place to stay?”
“Yeah.” I remembered Charlie’s offer from the other day. “But I think I have an idea.”
“Charlie?” How Con knew that’s what I was thinking, I had no clue.
I nodded. “She was in here the other day and offered up her old place, but Eden was staying at the Sonesta until today.”
“Why’d she bail on that?”
“Money, I guess.”
Con’s eyebrows drew together in confusion. “She sure doesn’t look like she’s hurtin’ for cash.”
“I guess looks are deceiving in this situation. I don’t know what the real deal is, and she won’t tell me shit.”
“Then maybe you need to do your own digging.”
Heels clicked down the hallway, and Vanessa stuck her head through the doorway before I could decide how to respond to that.
“You guys want me to go pick up something for lunch while you sit back here and brood?”
Con reached out and snagged her hand to pull her closer. “I thought we were grabbing something.”
“That was before I realized Eden hasn’t had jambalaya, étouffée, or oysters yet. Someone needs to help that girl get a true taste of New Orleans before she leaves.”
“She ain’t leavin’.” The words were out of my mouth before I even thought about speaking them.
Vanessa’s appraising gaze landed on me. “I’m pretty sure that’s not up to you.” She shifted to look at Con. “He sounds like just as much of a barbarian as you do.”
Con laughed and lifted her hand to his mouth to press a kiss to it. “You like it when I’m a barbarian.”
“True, but I also like showing off my city to people who will appreciate it.”
“Fine, but watch yourselves. The city’s still lousy with tourists.”
Van pressed a kiss to his cheek. “You’re starting to sound like a grumpy old man. We’ll be back in an hour or so. Is that enough time to go over the books?”
Con nodded. “Yeah. Have fun, princess.”
She kissed him again and waved at me. “See ya, Bish.”
Van closed the door behind her, leaving Con and me in the office.
“When’s your next appointment?” he asked.
“Two thirty.” I glanced at the clock. “Should be here any minute.”
“Then I guess you better get to it.”
I pushed off the couch and stood. “Yes, sir.” I gave him a mock salute and he punched me in the arm when I neared the door.
“Don’t fucking salute me, you asshole.”
I laughed, but my brain was firmly fixed on Eden. Maybe Vanessa would get her story out of her, and then I’d have some kind of clue what I was dealing with.