Current Day

The front door clicks open, and I hope Mia’s changed her mind and came back. My fucking wrists are sore, and this is no longer sexy. Plus, I’m cold and have to take a piss. To make matters worse, the image of her full tits spilling from the black, lacy bra fills my mind, and I’m instantly hard. She should take care of this problem. It’s the least she could do.

“You got a tree.” A loud masculine voice carries through the hall and crushes all hope of the intruder being Mia.

Lovely.

Despite that I’m about to be a shit-ton embarrassed, relief washes through me. Maybe being traded is a good thing because I’ll never live this shit down in the locker room.

“Jax, get your ass in here.”

“You alone?”

“Of course.” I can’t blame him for being gun-shy after I brought that crazy stalker chick home. I had no idea that she was a pawn planted by Jocelyn’s ex-husband. After that episode, I screened the ones I brought back to the apartment. Any stalker-slash-crazy wannabes, I went to their place or a hotel. Thought I was doing an exceptional job until last night.

The bathroom door slams shut, and I groan in frustration. Son-of-a-bitch, I don’t want to piss the bed.

“Hurry the hell up,” I yell. Fuck! One minute we’re talking about puppies, and the next, I roll over as if I’m her bitch and let her take full control. That was a mistake.

“Jesus, what’s got your panties in a twist?” Jax strolls into my room and halts. Initial shock hits first before he bursts into laughter. I mean gut-wrenching rolls. I tug on my wrist, and the creaking sound of the bedpost causes him to laugh harder.

Asshole.

“The key is on the dresser. Hurry up, I have to piss.”

“Hold up.” His laugh does nothing but slows him down. “This is better than those tights. Which wildcat did you piss off?”

“Mia Gunner, Drake’s sister.”

He pauses and looks at me. The key to my freedom inches away. “The photographer?”

“Yeah, hurry up, dude.”

“What the hell did you do?” He unhooks the first handcuff, and I shake my hand, working out the cricks.

Ditched her a long time ago. “It goes back to when we were in college. We almost had a thing, and I ended it before it got started.”

“Somehow, I think there’s more to that story. But really, dude, a teammate’s sister. What were you thinking?”

“I don’t know. With my dick?” I should have suspected something when she started flirting. She went from cold to hot awfully fast, in the seduction side anyway. Before then, I thought we had a moment. We fell into our old banter, and I enjoyed being with her.

As soon as my other wrist frees, I beeline to the bathroom. Damn, that girl. I thought my apology helped ease her bitterness. Couldn’t she see I meant it?

Once I’m done, I grab a pair of sweats and head toward the living room. Jax starts laughing all over again.

“That girl has it in for you.”

“At least you came back when you did. Tara is due here in another hour. I’d have to put extra money in her check.” Tara being my very Christian maid, who openly disapproves of my lifestyle.

“Oh, Jesus. I can’t even fathom what she’d think. What I saw makes me want to gouge my eyes out.”

“It’s not like you’ve never seen this before.” I grab my dick through the fleece.

“It’s not like I want to either.” He laughs again. “So, tell me again how the hell Drake’s sister chained you to the bed?”

“I know her from college. She was a freshman my senior year.”

“Wait a minute, is this why she turned you into a hideous creeper elf?”

I flip him off. “That, and I may have flirted with her. She took it the wrong way.”

“I call bullshit. She left you naked and chained, bro. I want to know the real story.”

But the truth makes me sound like an ass.

“Okay, it may have been more my fault, but you know I like my women wild.”

“Trust me, I know.”

“Well, Mia was shy and a little too innocent.” Not to mention beyond perfect. That girl deserves a hell of lot better man than me. The sour taste in my mouth would be guilt for downplaying this. Mia exuded an essence of innocence, but she wasn’t exactly shy. Sweeter than anything.

Jax tosses the handcuffs at me and chuckles. “She can’t be too innocent if she owns a set of those.”

“Son-of-a-bitch, you’re right.”

I take the handcuffs and hang them front and center on the tree. Ho, ho, ho.

“I can’t believe Ebenezer Scrooge bought a tree.”

“What the fuck? I’m not anti-Christmas.”

“You never gave two shits about the holidays.”

He’s right, but I’m not opposed to them. Just never had anything to celebrate.

“Cara was nagging me. Hope you don’t mind she crashed in your room while you were gone.”

“Nah, she’s welcome to it.”

“I was going to have Tara clean the sheets when she gets here.” I slump back into the couch. Amazing how being chained to a bed can wear you out. And I didn’t even get laid. “Why are you back, anyway?”

“I had to pick up a few things. I’m heading back tomorrow, but I do want to show you something.”

Jax pulls out a little black jewelry box. When he opens it, the shiniest diamond stares back at me. I’m hit with a pang of jealousy that comes out of nowhere. Why am I envious of my friend? I’m not looking to settle down. Hell, I don’t even have a girlfriend.

“Nice. You making it official, huh?”

“You think it’s too cliché to give her a ring for Christmas?”

“Does a female ever care about the timing? It’s a ring, dude. She’ll take it when she can get it.”

“Good point.”

“Congratulations, buddy.” I pat him on the back. “She’s one lucky woman.”

“I’m the lucky one. If she says yes, that is.”

“I thought she already agreed.”

“She did, but I’ll relax when the ring is on her finger.”

“You have nothing to worry about. Jocelyn adores you.” He really is one lucky son-of-a-bitch. I sneak a glance at the pink handcuffs. Mia adores me so much she leaves me naked to die. Fuck! I really thought my apology was enough. I was sincere when I said it.

My cell rings from the kitchen counter. I rush over and check the screen. Mom? That’s strange. She’s not due to call until Sunday. We talk twice a week, Wednesdays and Sundays. I swipe the phone up, my voice wary as I answer.

“Cara’s phone is turned off or something. I can’t get a hold of her. Put her on the phone.” In lieu of a hello, Mom’s frustrated voice greets me, but her words make no sense.

“What do you mean? She left yesterday.”

“Don’t be a jerk and put her on the phone.”

“Mom, I’m serious. Cara should be there by now.”

The silence heightens my nerves.

“Then where is she?” Mom asks.

“Fuck, I don’t know.”

“Watch your language.”

Really? In the height of worry, she’s still scolding me for my language?

“AJ, where can she be?” Her wobbling voice slices through me. I tamp down my own concern to think rationally. There must be an explanation.

“I don’t know. Are you sure she didn’t come home and go back out with friends or something? Go check her room.”

“Her room is untouched, and I haven’t been anywhere. Oh Jesus, what happened to her?”

“Don’t worry, Mom. I’ll start looking for her.”

“Should we call the police?”

“No, give me some time.”

“AJ, find my baby girl.” This time it’s a demand, not a request.

“I’ve got this, Mom. I’ll find her.” Somehow. I hang up and try to think where she could be.

“What’s going on?” Jax asks.

His voice startles me. I forgot he was in the room. I hit the speed dial for Cara’s number, but it goes straight to voicemail.

“Fuck!” I run my hands through my hair and try to think. “Cara left yesterday for home, but she never arrived. Maybe I should call the police.”

“Wait. She left yesterday?” His face pales, and the worst-case scenarios flash through my mind.

“Yeah.”

“There’s a possibility I know who she’s with.”

“What do you mean?”

“Uh, you’re not going to like this, but she has been seeing someone this past year.”

“No fucking way. I’d know if she was seeing someone.” Wouldn’t I?

“Not if they kept it a secret.”

“Who is he?” My jaw ticks. By the reluctance in his voice, I already know I’m not going to like the person.

“Before I tell you, promise me you won’t tear him a new one.”

“Who?”

“Drake.”

“Drake? The womanizing asshole who brags about his hot dates?” Rage surges through me as my hands ball into fists. I don’t think I’ve wanted to hit someone so badly in my life.

“The very one.” He grabs his coat, but I wave for him to stay.

“Someone needs to be here in case she comes back.”

“Fine but promise me you won’t hit him.”

I grunt. That’s one promise I won’t make.

Jax sighs. “Do you know where he lives?”

My gut wrenches. “No, but I know someone who does.”