Captured Secret (The Captured Series) (19 page)

“Yeah, I’m much better now.”

After we watch total hottie vampires suck blood to live for an hour, she says, “If you don’t feel like it, just say no, but I wanted to go buy all the stuff we would need for some ziti. If I buy, would you make it? I thought all the boys could come over. We haven’t seen Max in a little while. I’ll get wine, and before you say it, yes, I will get your mandatory fresh bread and a salad.”

I giggle, she knows me so well. “Sure, I don’t go to the studio tomorrow. Homemade food sounds really good.” Pierce gets up and heads to the bedroom.

“Is everything okay, friend? You seem a little off tonight. Is everything okay at work, and is Ty nice to you? We haven’t talked in forever.”

“Work is work, Zoey. Ty has been great. He needs me more than I originally thought, but yeah, he’s really nice.”
Just not tonight
.

Her eyes light up and I know since Pierce left she’s gonna let it fly. “So, tell me everything. How do you get work done and not just sit and stare? Does he look at you like you’re hot and he wants you?”

I just can’t tell her anything, especially tonight. If we would have had a really nice night, I could so see myself confiding in Zoey. She is my best friend forever, but I don’t know what to say. I have so many unanswered questions, so I play it safe. “He pays me to work. I can’t just sit and stare. He has no problem catching a woman’s eye. You saw that at the bar.” I rise and fold my blanket to show her I’m done. She actually lets it go and heads to her bedroom. I go to mine. My mind is so active, I take it out on a book. At midnight, when I start to read the same sentence over and over, I decide to tap out and give into sleep.

Sam wants to gush about Ty all day at work. I talk to her as though last night didn’t happen. When I get home, Zoey has pans out and instantly pours me a glass of wine. She is proud of her shopping, and the chocolate cake she bought for dessert. I change into some short, khaki shorts and a little scoop neck t-shirt. I don’t know why, but I make sure I have some serious cleavage going, so when Ty gets here, he can see what I’m not gonna let him touch. Okay, I just decided that, and I know if he gives me any indication he wants sex, I would so cave.

The ziti is resting and the bread is in the oven when Maxem walks in. Two weeks of not hanging out is a long stretch in our world. The bear hug feels really good as he sits my ass on the counter top and stands right in front of my open thighs while we catch up. I’m on my second glass of wine, and my head is feeling nice and light, due to that fact that I really didn’t eat too much today. It just didn’t sound good. As I gulp a drink of wine, I pray that he cannot see my heart banging in my chest as Ty enters the kitchen.

Ty stops and looks me over. His eyes dart from my open legs to Max over and over. Max realizes someone entered the kitchen and shakes Ty’s hand. He’s very cordial and puts his case of beer in the fridge. “I tell him I have to finish the salad, Max. Sitting here talking to you is holding up dinner.” Max grabs me under the arms and puts me down like a child. Ty is leaning on the fridge and has that same flat look tonight. Max walks out, and I head to the fridge for the salad and some more wine. I saw his silent reaction to Max being that close. Two can play this game.

“You got my messages, boss?” I place my hand on his muscular waist and gently push him so I can get in the fridge. It’s instant in that touch. I am so powerless to this man’s effect on me, but I stay the course. Bending over without bending my knees is the look I was going for. Just a little ass shot headed his way. “I just didn’t feel comfortable giving Bitcho…uh…Caroline, your cell number. Let me know if I handled that wrong so when the next girlfriend calls, I know what the protocol is.” I’ve turned my back to him, set down the veggies, and glug the wine into my goblet until it reaches the top.

“I don’t have girlfriends, ever. And exactly how many glasses have you had?”

“This is my third. I just have to cut up some vegetables and dinner will be served.” I flash him the sexiest smile I have. I laugh inwardly, thinking it probably came across all wrong considering my face is slightly numb. “You also got my notes from Tia?”

“I did. I guess no one is in a hurry to eat considering all the alone time you had with Max between your legs. Is that how it works? You just need some alcohol in you?” I won’t turn around. He sounds so mean, heartless, and maybe jealous.
But why?
I’m not fucking Max, and all he wants is sex from me. I won’t fly into the rant. But I so want to jump his shit and ask what the fuck happened in twenty four hours to make this shitty attitude of his.

The field greens are poured in the bowl and I start in on the cucumbers slices. “I cannot believe you just…” Zoey interrupts us.

“Come on, I’m starving and you’re sucking wine down like it’s your job. Are you okay? You were off last night and tonight’s no different.” Zoey reaches for potholders and gets the bread out. She sees Ty and purrs, “Well, hello tall, blond, and handsome.”

I laugh out loud. “I’m just great…couldn’t be better and look who’s got the drinking bolds going on.”

“I didn’t say anything inappropriate. Right, Ty? You’re tall, blond, and handsome.”

He shoots her a nonchalant look. “I didn’t hear anything inappropriate. As much as my grandmother tried to get you to reconsider dating Pierce, she would be delighted to hear you think I’m attractive and that we are together.” I shoot daggers at him with my eyes.

Zoey giggles at his playful tone. I boil at the insinuation that he would date Zoey and not date me. “She is one feisty woman, Ty. Stella, you should meet his grandmother if you need a confidence boost. She blew me up like I was a brain surgeon. She bitched Ty out for not scooping me up before Pierce got me to fall in love with him.”

I throw the cucumbers and cherry red tomatoes into the salad bowl, and turn around with the knife in one hand, my wine in the other and stare Ty in his eyes. I’m pissed and I don’t know exactly why, I just am. And I feel bold. Now, I’m mad that Ty is right. It only takes a little alcohol. “I did meet her, Zoey. She told me how phenomenal Emily was. How she could not wait to meet the perfect and successful Zoey Martin. And to me… she just wanted to make sure that I could fill Emily’s big shoes and she also wants me to be on the lookout for a good girl for her boy here.” I point at Ty with the knife.
And there you have it…no words of encouragement for a loser like me, friend!

Zoey looks at me with a where in the fuck did that come from look. “She did not! She just needs to get to know you better.” The bread is whisked away to the dining room table. I shrug my shoulders at Ty, empty my hands, and grab the salad bowl to follow Zoey. All I need are salad dressings, my wine, and then dinner is served. Ty’s leaning against the counter, legs crossed, and staring into space when I return. I yank open the fridge and start grabbing the dressings. My pride hurts in more ways than one. When I spin around with my arms full, he’s gone.

I judge by our friends shoving food in their mouth and their compliments on my cooking that dinner is delicious. I’m more on a liquid diet tonight. I pick a seat right next to Max because I know he will talk my ear off and I hope it bothers Ty. Zoey asks Ty, “Are we meeting tomorrow night at your place so we can head over to Jason’s gig?”

“No, I’ll come get all of you here at the condo.” I can’t help but feel a bit disappointed. How can we have a redo of Friday night if he drops us off here? He sure won’t show any affection while all of our friends are around anyway.

Dinner ends and we all lounge in the living room. I follow Max’s lead over to the chaise where he sits on it sideways and I sit on the floor in between his legs. My wine is fresh and ice cold.

“Bro,” Zoey says, “you have to come with us to watch Jason sing. I want you to meet Stella’s new main squeeze.”

I almost spit out my wine. “Who…how did you… what…who…?”

I’m a little tipsy and freak that she knows I’m completely falling for Ty. “Jason Day, friend! What I should have said is he could be your main squeeze if you would give him the opportunity to be. He is so hot for you girl. Tell her, Ty. Tell her what you told me and Pierce.”

Ty lifts an eyebrow. “Zoey, she was there. She knows what he says, and the way he looks at her.”

“Max, this guy is so beyond my Stella’s comfort zone. He’s all metal band, tattoos, and hot rocker.”

Max grabs my shoulders and starts to knead them. “Stella, you are going outside of your white collar, tie wearing, 100K a year, typical male?”

In a snarky tone, I say, “You take that back, I don’t care what they make a year!”

“No, you don’t. He could be unemployed. But, if he has on a crisp white button up suit shirt you’re down, right?”

I giggle, I can’t help it. I have talked to a lot of guys in shirts and ties, and he hit the nail on the head. I really don’t care what they do. “At least I’m not in it for the money.”

“We know one that was in it for the money, don’t we, Ty? His ex was only about the cash. She was slick though. She made us all believe she was so in love until the neighbor moved in and she found out he owned a restaurant and was loaded,” Pierce says in a voice laced with anger.

“Why do you always bring her up, dude? I could give a fuck about her.” Ty shoots Pierce an exasperated look.

“Just as a reminder of where you don’t want to go again.”

Ty stands up from the love seat. “I’m not going anywhere again, ever. Anyone want a beer?” Everyone is looking at his angry reaction and we all shake our head no. Ty leaves the room, and my wine is taken from my hand.

“Come lay behind me, doll.” Max stays in the same position and I lay down on the chaise right behind him. He pulls the throw blanket on me and I cover up from neck to toe. My eyes fall and reopen. Ty walks into the room, stops and looks my way. My lids are so heavy; I can’t worry about him tonight.

“You always could do that to her,” Zoey says softly to Max.

“Well, sis, my hands were made for pleasing women. It’s God’s gift, right Stella?”

He turns back to look at me, I only get out, “Mmmmhmmm.”

“She remembers well. It was her sophomore year when we had too much to drink, and she got to experience these hands at their finest.”

My eyes fly open and I sit up and punch Max in the arm. “Shut up! They don’t need to know that.”

“I only speak the truth.” His shit-eating grin is wide, and as usual, very sexy.

“They don’t care, shut it!” I can’t help but notice all eyes on me. I slink back down in the position I was in.

Jaxon asks, “So, Stella wasn’t always a goody-two-shoes?”

“No!” Max and Zoey say way too loud in unison. They laugh at their impeccable timing. Zoey continues, “Jaxon, at one time, this girl made me look like a saint.”

“I was rebelling,” I mumble.

“Rebelling or not, she was the wild one for a time.” Zoey’s voice is playful, and I know she is just letting everyone know I wasn’t always a prude.

“She’s no wild child now. She’s like a nun…it’s been forever, right?” Max asks nobody.

“Well, I’m gonna work on her and this Jason guy until he pops her cherry again, and I’m hoping it’s real soon.” I open my eyes to find Zoey wiggling her eyebrows up and down at me. I giggle. She is so damn silly sometimes. I let my eyes wander to the one I wish I was snuggled up to and he looks at me with a much softer look. I don’t get him tonight or last night. I’ve calmed down a bit and realize I should have been more mature and asked him what was wrong. I don’t want to play games with him. Should I ask to speak to him alone? My heavy lids make my decision and fall.

I feel my body being lifted and I love the smell. Jaxon’s voice breaks my enjoyment, “Leave her be, man, I have some lovely young ladies who are eager to meet us at Skinny’s. Let’s shit or get!”

I open my eyes and see the most perfect shade of blue staring back into mine. His scent is so seductive. “Give me a minute, Jaxon. I don’t want her sleeping all balled up on the chaise.”

“You’re such a pussy. I’ll meet you in the truck.”

“You’re going to meet some lovely young ladies?” I ask, barely audible, but I know he heard me. He lays me in bed and tucks me under the covers.

“See you tomorrow, Stella.” My light is flicked off and he walks out. I’ve told myself it will be easier jumping off a building than falling for Ty. And that rooftop sounds really good right about now.