Rebel Heir (Rush Series Duet #1)(18)

“Yup. And after that day, I started collecting bizarre looking dolls. They go everywhere with me.”

If I didn’t already dig this chick, she had to go and tell me she threw a baby doll into a fire. Something about that whole twisted story just warmed my black heart.

“That is one fucked-up story…but kind of fucking awesome at the same time.”

“That’s the story of my life, Rush.” She walked over to me until she was dangerously close.

Fuck, I wanted to kiss her.

Instead, I just walked toward the door and said, “T’as de beaux yeux, tu sais.”

“Speaking French again, are we?” She smiled.

“You wanted to know what it meant. It means, you have beautiful eyes, you know.”

Gia blushed, and it was fucking adorable. “Thank you.”

That was my cue to leave. “I’d better go. See you tomorrow.”

She didn’t argue with me as I slipped out the door, through the living room, and sped away in my Mustang.

That night, visions of ugly dolls danced in my head. And even though I planned to intentionally lose the bet, I didn’t touch another cigarette.





I will not go to The Heights.

I paced back and forth, alone in my living room.

I will not go to The Heights.

More pacing.

I wasn’t quite sure which addiction had me unable to sit still tonight. It was now almost twenty-four hours since I’d smoked a cigarette and a half-hour more than that since I’d seen Gia. One made me feel like I was dangling on the edge.

It had to be the cigarettes. I wasn’t even sure why the fuck I hadn’t smoked today when my plan had been to lose the stupid bet. For some reason, I wanted to see if I could stop if I wanted to. The thought that I’d rather take a ride over to The Heights than smoke really pissed me off.

Flopping down on my couch, I grabbed my cell phone. What I needed was not a damn smoke or Gia—I needed to get laid. I scrolled through my contacts to see if any names sparked an interest.

Amy. Redhead. Killer curves. Liked to hang around The Heights and try to distract me. The last thing I needed was another distraction at work.

Blair. Into some weird, kinky shit. Not that I minded, but that type of thing needs a certain mood that I just wasn’t feeling today.

Chelsea. Saw her around town last week holding hands with some preppy-looking dude. I didn’t have many rules in life, except I don’t touch what belongs to someone else. Delete.

Darryl. Texted me Memorial Day and said she wouldn’t be out until August this year. I couldn’t hold out that long.

Everly. Damn. Everly.

If anyone could help me take my mind off of things, it was that woman. Best head I’d ever had in my life. We’d been together a few times last summer, and she’d messaged me a few weeks ago to tell me she was back in town. The best part of being with Everly was that she made me feel used. She’d tell me exactly what she wanted and how she wanted it, and after we were done—she’d get up, get dressed, and peck my cheek before saying Thanks. See ya around.

Perfect. Just what I needed.

My finger hovered over her name while I debated hitting her up. After a few minutes, I tossed my phone on the couch. What the fuck is wrong with me? I was acting like Everly was some foul-tasting medicine I had to take in order to get over the flu. When in fact, there was nothing wrong with me.

Stop acting like such a pussy.

Before I could overthink it anymore, I picked up my phone again and shot off a quick text. Why not leave it up to fate? Who knows, maybe she’d met someone and wouldn’t be down for a hookup anymore.



Rush: Hey



I had to laugh at myself after hitting send. Great opening line. Took you ten minutes of debating to come up with that shit. Smooth, Rush. Real smooth.

Less than a minute later, my phone buzzed with a response.



Everly: Your place or mine.



Fuck. My head fell back against the couch. Guess fate thinks I need to get laid, too. At least it would keep my mouth off Gia and mind off a cigarette. Wait. No. That should be my mouth off a cigarette and mind off of Gia. Or maybe not.

I dragged two hands through my hair, then took a deep breath and exhaled loudly before saying fuck it.



Rush: Yours.



Everly was basically the female version of me. The old me anyway. Blunt, to the point, and treated sex as mutual pleasure exchanged between two bodies. Emotions weren’t part of it.

The dots jumped around while she typed back.



Everly: Be here in an hour…or I start without you.



I scrubbed my hands over my face and decided I wouldn’t spend any more time feeling guilty. There was no reason to feel guilty. Gia was an employee, and maybe a friend in a loose sense of the word. I didn’t owe her celibacy just because I liked to look at her ass and drive her home. Fuck that.

Even though I knew I wasn’t doing anything wrong, I couldn’t shake the odd, angry feeling I had. That feeling continued while I made myself something to eat and started to get ready to go to Everly’s place. Normally, I liked to blast music while I showered, but tonight I was so off that I hadn’t remembered to turn the tunes on. Which was why I was able to hear my phone ringing from the other room.

The first time I ignored it.