Always Will: A Bad Boy Romance (11 page)

“So why are you telling me?” Selene asks.

“Because I need your support,” I say, meeting her eyes. “I need someone from VI on my side. I know the dev team is going to balk, but they respect you. They’ll listen to you.”

“I’m going to need more details before you can expect me to get on board with this,” she says.

“Absolutely,” I say. “When we get back to the office we can go over everything. I’m an open book when it comes to this. I’ll be totally transparent.”

“That’s refreshing,” she says.

I smile. I really do like working with Selene, and not just because I enjoy fantasizing about her. Granted, I do that all the time—all the fucking time, because god, it’s a special kind of torture to spend so much time with this woman and have no access to her in the way I really want. But I feel like I can rely on her, and the list of people I can say that about is very short.

14: Selene

Things are quiet for a while after the conference in Denver. I’m busy acting as go-between for the marketing department and the sales managers, as well as keeping the dev team on track. I fall into a routine of meeting with Ronan over dinner more nights than not. Unless I have a time-sensitive issue, it’s easier to wait and go over everything at once. I try not to think about what Kylie said about
office dating
. We’ve simply found an efficient way to work together, and if that means we enjoy each other’s company while we eat several nights a week, there’s no harm in that.

Friday night, we finish up our meeting, and some very good Italian food. I’m anxious to get home. Sunday is my birthday, so tonight Braxton, Kylie, and I are meeting up with a bunch of friends for drinks.

I close my laptop and grab my phone. “Thanks for dinner. Again. I’m going to head out.”

“Do you have plans tonight?” Ronan asks.

I pause, suddenly wondering if I should invite him. “I do. It’s my birthday on Sunday, so I’m meeting some friends for drinks tonight. It’s just a casual thing, and the place is a little bit of a dive. But … you could meet us there, if you want.”

He lifts an eyebrow and his dimple puckers. “You want me to come out for drinks with you tonight?”

“It’s a group thing,” I say.

“Sounds kinky, but I’d like to keep you to myself,” he says with a wink.

I roll my eyes and stand. “Well, if you want to come, we’ll be at the Phinney Tavern around nine.”

“Is it really your birthday?” he asks. “How did I not know that?”

“Why would you know my birth date?” I ask. “And yes, it really is. On Sunday, anyway.”

He smiles, sending tingles down my spine. “I’ll be there.”

***

I keep glancing toward the front door, wondering if Ronan is really coming. The bar is busy, and most of our group is a few drinks in and feeling no pain. Originally I wanted to throw us a big party at my place—I love throwing parties—but our birthday kind of sneaked up on me this year. In the end, I decided it would be simpler just to go out, rather than try to plan something last minute.

Braxton has Kylie in a booth near the back, and I wonder how long they’ll end up staying. He’s always touchy with her, but tonight he hasn’t kept his hands off her. His mouth, either. He leans in close, and it looks like they’re talking, then he touches his fingers to her chin and kisses her. I’d be grossed out—he is my brother—but I’m kind of awestruck when I see them like this.

He loves her so much it makes my breath catch. He was never this way with any of the women he dated in the past. I wonder what it must have been like for him, being friends with Kylie for so long, watching her date other men. It must have been awful. Granted, he wasn’t exactly sleeping alone all those years. But seeing them now, I’m both incredibly happy for them, and wishing I was lucky enough to find both a best friend and a lover in the same person.

A hand on the small of my back startles me and I turn to find Ronan smiling at me. He’s dressed in a dark jacket over his button-down and slacks, and his hair has that slightly unruly look that makes him so intriguing. From the corner of my eye, I notice quite a few other women watching him. I’m hit with a little spark of jealousy, and a very strange sense of satisfaction at our
no dating other people
pact.

“Happy birthday,” he says.

He’s standing so close I feel like I can’t quite breathe.

“Thanks.”

He looks around, like he’s taking in the scene. “This is a nice place. When you said it was kind of a dive, I had a different image in mind.”

“Dive isn’t really the word,” I say. “It’s mostly just casual.”

“You didn’t think I’d like casual,” he says. “You still think I’m a snob.”

“No, I don’t think you’re a snob,” I say. “I just wasn’t sure if this is your kind of place.”

He laughs a little. “That’s kind of the same thing. But it’s your birthday, so I’ll forgive you.” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small box tied with a gold ribbon. “Here, I got you something.”

“You didn’t have to do that.”

“I know. It’s just a small thing.” He holds it out to me.

I take the box and untie the ribbon. I lift the lid and find a thin silver chain with an infinity symbol in the center. “This is beautiful.”

He steps a little closer and lowers his voice. “You told me you lost your parents. But they’re never truly gone. They’ll always be a part of you. Forever.”

I touch the necklace with two fingers, not sure if I can speak. I lick my lips and swallow hard. “Ronan, this is … I don’t even know what to say.”

“I know what it’s like to lose someone,” he says. “I saw this recently and thought of you. I know it isn’t the sort of thing a boss gets an employee, but I figured maybe we’re a little more than that now? Friends, at least?”

I meet his eyes, my heart in my throat. “Thank you. This is so thoughtful.”

He smiles, and I’m frozen in place. The buzz of conversation hangs around us, but I’m transfixed. It’s so strange to be with him here, surrounded by my friends. We only see each other when we’re working. But here we are, standing in a bar on a Friday night. It feels so casual, like he could be a man I know from somewhere else. A man who isn’t my boss.

Right now, I really wish he wasn’t.

“Can I buy you another drink?” he asks.

My eyes flick to my glass, sitting on the cocktail table next to me. It’s almost empty. “Sure. I’m just going to run to the ladies’ room.”

“Meet you back here,” he says.

I tuck the box into my small handbag and head toward the back of the bar. My heart is beating too fast. I need to get myself together.

I step into the bathroom and take a deep breath. Was that Ronan who just gave me an incredibly sweet and thoughtful gift? And he did it with no innuendo, no jokes about wanting to get me naked in his office. I’m so used to verbally sparring with him all the time, I wasn’t sure what to say. I need to get my wits back so I can thank him properly.

I reapply lipstick and take a few more deep breaths. I don’t want to think about how close I was to kissing him. Goddamn, that man knows how to keep me off balance. I need to slow down on the drinks, or I’m going to do something I’ll regret.

I open the door and almost run into a guy coming from the bar.

“Sorry.” I try to step out of the way.

“That’s okay,” he says. He doesn’t move, taking up all the space in the small hallway.

I try again to go around him, but he moves in front of me.

“Excuse me,” I say.

“Look at those legs,” he says, his voice slurring a little. He gets closer, looking me up and down.

I don’t know who this guy is, but he’s making me very uncomfortable. I take a step backward and put my hands up. “Can you let me past? I’m just trying to get back to my friends.”

“Come back here with me first,” he says.

He steps in and grabs my arm, his grip like a vice. I suck in a breath to scream at him to let go, but he clamps his other hand over my mouth and presses me back into the wall.

I struggle, trying to kick at him, but he’s so much stronger than me. He lets go of my mouth and wraps his arms around me, crushing my chest. He shoves me further into the hallway. I scream, but unless there’s someone in the men’s room, I’m sure no one can hear me. The crowd and the music in the bar are too loud.

He pushes me against a door and opens it. We both stumble into the alley behind the bar. Fuck, I can’t let him get me out here alone. I grab the door jamb, clutching at it with my fingers, but he manhandles me outside, and the door bangs shut.

I get in a good kick to his shins, then stomp on his foot. He grunts, but his grip on me doesn’t loosen.

“Get the fuck off me,” I say.

He makes a growling noise in his throat and pushes me up against the side of the building. I try to knee him in the balls, but he turns just in time.

“Struggle harder,” he says into my ear. “I like it.”

“Fuck you!”

I thrust up with my knee again but he wedges my leg against the wall with his, and puts his hand over my mouth again. His body pins me. I can barely move. My eyes widen as his hand reaches beneath my shirt and he squeezes my breast through my bra.

Oh fuck. This can’t be happening.

Fear swirls through me and my heart thunders. I keep struggling, but no matter what I try I can’t squirm out of his grip. He runs his tongue along my neck and shoves his hand into my jeans.

He shifts enough that I get my leg free and try to knee him again. He slams me back into the wall, knocking the breath from my lungs. I gasp, trying to breathe with his hand smashed against my face. His breath is hot on my neck, putrid with the stench of beer.

His hand slips and I get my teeth into the flesh of one of his fingers. I bite down as hard as I can. He lets go, but before I can move, he hits me across the face.

Pain explodes across my jaw, up the side of my head. I stagger to the side.

“Stupid bitch,” he yells.

Instantly, his hands are on me again, and I’m up against the cold wall. My mouth is on fire and I think I hit my head against the wall, but I’m too disoriented to know for sure. My vision swims, and I hear the sound of fabric ripping.

His hand clamps over my mouth again and he stops, pressing me up against the wall. I hear a squeak, like hinges, and I realize someone is opening the door a crack.

I yell through his hand, but it’s muffled. My shirt is ripped wide open, and I can taste blood. I struggle harder, willing whoever is at the door to open it all the way.

Please. Hear me out here. Please.

“Selene, are you out here?”

I scream again and drive my elbow up, into the underside of his jaw. I don’t hit him hard, but it’s enough to make him loosen his grip on my mouth.

“Help!”

The door flies open and Ronan steps out. His eyes widen and he lunges, throwing a punch that knocks the guy’s head to the side.

The guy recovers almost instantly, answering back with a punch of his own. Ronan ducks out of the way, but another swing connects. Ronan takes the hit across the jaw and barrels into the other guy, landing another punch to his face.

Ronan’s eyes are wild. “I’ll fucking kill you.”

The guy steps back, like he’s not sure he wants to finish this fight. Ronan darts in and the guy blocks. He’s drunk, but he seems to know what he’s doing. Ronan doesn’t let up, coming at him again despite the blood dripping down his chin. He lands a punch to the guy’s gut, then another. The guy grunts and staggers to the side.

Ronan swings again and clocks him alongside the head. The guy seems to hover in the air for half a second, before his legs buckle and he collapses to the ground in a heap.

I take a shuddering breath while Ronan stands over him, breathing hard, fists opening and closing. He turns to me, his eyes still wide.

I grab the tattered shreds of my shirt with shaking hands and try to hold them together. Tears stream down my face; I can’t stop them.

Ronan rushes over to me, taking off his coat. Gently, he puts it around me and holds it closed while I slip my arms into the sleeves.

“Come here,” he says and wraps me in his arms. “Did he hurt you?”

I nod against his chest and he pulls away. I take a trembling breath. “Get me out of here. Please.”

Ronan puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me through the alley toward the street. I spare half a thought for the guy lying unconscious behind us, but I’m so terrified I just want to get away from him.

“I’m parked up here,” Ronan says. He holds me tight while we walk up the street, and my hands clutch the lapels of his coat, keeping it closed around me.

He pulls out a key and lights blink on a dark Mercedes sedan. He opens the passenger door and ushers me in, then goes around and gets in the driver’s side.

“Where’s your house?” he asks. His hands grip the steering wheel and his voice is thick with tension.

I give him directions and he pulls out into the street, taking me home.

15: Selene

Ronan is quiet on the drive to my place. I don’t remember either of us picking up my purse, but somehow it’s in my lap. I clutch it in my hands while I stare at the lights passing by.

We park outside my house. I’m still shaking as we go inside. Without a word, I go upstairs to my bedroom. I have to get out of these clothes. I can smell the stench of beer, feel his hand plunging into my jeans. I pull off my ripped shirt and change into a pair of leggings and an oversize blue sweater. I want a shower, but I don’t want to leave Ronan sitting downstairs alone for too long.

I come out of my room and hear him talking. He says my name and gives my address. I wonder if he’s talking to the police. We probably should have called them from the bar instead of leaving, but I couldn’t think about anything other than getting away.

I’m still so shaken up that my hands are trembling, but I go downstairs and get my phone. Kylie and Braxton will notice I’m gone. I don’t want them to worry, so I send them a quick text, saying I went home. I don’t tell them what happened. I don’t want to deal with Braxton freaking out, and he might kill the guy if he finds him. Literally.