Reveal (Wicked Ways #2)(55)

“Ouch!” He hisses the word as he bites back a chuckle. “I’m assuming we’re talking about—”

“Yes. We’re talking about those inches. Or lack thereof.”

“Poor bastard.”

“True. But now I get to deal with the fallout.”

“I’m sorry. So I can’t see you, then?” His voice deepens when he asks, and I’m so tempted to call in sick to work but know that I can’t. I’m about to make a big payment on my debt and need to have the hours on my timecard in case Priscilla questions it. I’m already pushing the envelope with her thinking I make tips that large, so remaining on the down low is paramount.

“First my shift at Apropos and then dealing with my girl. I have no idea when I’ll be done or if I’ll be anything close to coherent with how tired I already am.”

“Mmm.” I can all but hear his disappointment in his murmur.

I’d rather be with you too. But I don’t say the words. I don’t let him know how much I want to see him.

“So what you’re saying is that I need to rent out a pod at Apropos to see my girl, then?”

“Don’t be silly. Save your money.” But a smile spreads on my lips at the thought.

“I could do a whole lot of fun things to you in that pod. Just you and me and the loud music and your short skirt.”

“Is that so?” I shift in my chair to abate the need he stoked last week with his kissing but no touching that he hasn’t fulfilled yet. “Too bad they don’t have a lock on the door.”

“The risk of getting caught is part of the thrill.”

“The risk of getting caught and fired is more of a cold shower in my book,” I respond.

“So all those men in the club get to see you tonight and I don’t? Can I admit I hate that about your jobs? The men who look at you and want you and see everything you’re not.”

“That means you’re the one who looks at me and sees everything I am.”

“True . . . but I still don’t like it.”

“A jealous Ryker isn’t one I’ve seen before.”

“Baby, I’m jealous of any man who gets to be with you when I don’t.”

“You’re being ridiculous.” And I love it. The way it makes me feel. The burn it leaves in my chest. The butterflies it prompts in my belly.

“Have you heard from Priscilla?”

“I have. Yes. I’m sorry, I thought I texted you that I had.”

“You’re just too busy for me anymore.” The playful tone in his voice makes me want to be sitting across the table from him, watching his smile spread across his lips and light up his eyes.

“Too many men, too little time.”

“Better not be.” He laughs. “What did good ol’ prissy Priscilla say? I take it everything is cleared up and you’ll be able to see Lucy soon?”

“Yes.”

“Did she say anything else?”

“Not really. She wasn’t exactly warm, so I’m sure I didn’t do myself any favors in the likability department, but—”

“I’m surprised she had the gall to call you. I’d figure her for the passive-aggressive, nonconfrontational email type,” he says with irritation lacing his voice. I may have gone to him crying and looking for someone to comfort me, but I was surprised how angry he was on my behalf. “You should have let me make some phone calls, Vaughn.”

“For what? So she can think that I need someone else to step in and fight my battles for me?”

I can picture the look on his face right now. The same one he gave me when I told him I could handle this myself. That it was handled. And that I was just waiting to see what she was going to do about it.

“It’s okay to ask for help,” he murmurs.

“Just like it’s okay to be self-sufficient.”

“Screw her,” he mutters.

“I need her, though.”

“And I need you.”

“Ah, nice segue.”

“You noticed?”

“Pretty hard not to.”

“So tonight? Can I see you?” he asks again.

“I told you—I have work.”

“After, then?”

“I told you”—I laugh—“I have to meet a potential client, and you have an early court date tomorrow.”

“Are you telling me no, Vaughn?” he teases and reminds me of how stubborn he can be.

“I’m telling you I have to go now,” I say and hang up with a smile on my lips.

My cell rings again instantly. I laugh when I see Ryker’s name again.

“This is Vee. Can I help you?” I answer like I always do my Wicked Ways number.

“Yes, I’m having trouble with one of your girls, and I’d like to file a report.”

“A report? Is that so?” I ask, my heart beating faster at the sound of his voice, even though I just heard it.

“Mmm-hmm. She’s gorgeous and stubborn and works too damn much, but I admire her for it more than she’ll ever know.”

“Well, I’m sure she’d be flattered to hear that, but it can’t make the girl she has to deal with, the day job she has to attend, or the nervous Nellie client she has to meet with—any of those three things—go away. It’s an awful lot to pack into one night and then have enough energy to give you the proper attention you deserve.”