Losing Control(82)
With that, the interview is over. Jake stands up, and Steve pushes away from the wall and heads out.
“Thank you for seeing me, Mr. Tanner,” I say shaking his hand again.
“Jake, please.” And he smiles at me, revealing perfect white teeth.
Ian cups my elbow and leads me back down the hall. Steve is nowhere to be seen.
“You’ve got a good one there,” Jake says as we reach the front door.
“I know,” Ian replies and then places an arm around me, subtly drawing me away from Jake. “And I intend to keep her.”
“Don’t blame you.”
Embarrassed by the talk, I chirp, “Nice to meet you again,” and then hastily exit. Combined male laughter follows me out. Outside, I can see that Steve is already in the car, ready to take me back home.
A touch on my elbow has me turning, and Ian smiles down at me. “I thought you two would be a perfect fit.” There’s smugness in his voice, but I guess he’s entitled.
“Because we both have disabilities?” I ask.
“Because you both understand that others place limitations on you that don’t exist.” He leads me to the car and opens the back door. I crawl in and Ian climbs in behind me. “Do you wish I would have said something prior?”
Shaking my head, I say, “No, why would it matter?”
“Why, indeed.” He leans forward. “Central Towers.”
“Not back to the fuckpad?” I joke lightly, but I’m worried that means he doesn’t intend to stay with me.
“No, I figured you would want to be with your mother. Besides, so long as you scream into the pillow, we should be fine.”
His careless words are arousing, and I cross my legs to assuage the sudden ache. When I see Ian’s dark gaze pinned to my chest, I think that those words weren’t so careless after all. But I’m glad, too, that his first thought was to how we’ll be managing to have scream-worthy sex again. I want that. Oh how I want it.
Chapter 27
“RICH TEXTED ME,” I SHARE that evening. “I meant to tell you but I had the accident.”
“Someone beating you up is no accident.” Ian’s face is grim. “An accident is when your bike wheel gets caught in a pothole and you fall down. Getting beat up is an assault and battery.”
“Oookay.” I can see that he isn’t ever going to let this go. “Anyway, I can’t read all the messages, but he did send a picture of himself. It’s not really incriminating. Just a picture of him drinking. Does he really have a wife? He doesn’t ever mention her.”
Ian gives me a disbelieving look. “If you were trying to pick up a new girl, would you tell her about the one you have at home?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never had two guys on a string before. Seems complicated.” I hand him the phone. He proceeds to read the texts out loud.
Sorry for running off at the mouth about your friend Ian.
No doubt he’s a good guy but if you ever need to talk let me know.
Oh dear. If possible, Ian’s grim face has gotten even darker. “What did he say? Is he responsible for your doubts?”
I rub my hand down his arm, a gesture meant to soothe his mood. He captures my hand and brings it to his mouth. But he doesn’t kiss it softly. He opens his mouth and bites down on the fleshy bit right under my palm, which sends shock waves right to my core. I gasp and then moan when he licks the bite. “He’s poison. Don’t forget it.”
There’s nothing for me to do but nod. Ian presses another kiss to my palm and then returns to reading the rest of the messages.
Thought of you today when I got some flowers delivered to my mom. Realized how convenient bike couriers are. Bet your legs are super strong.
Checking out the rooftop bar at the Kimberly. Hit me up if you’re interested in visiting.
After I sent the smiley face, he’d sent another reply.
Only a smiley face? You can do better than that.
Ian tosses the phone aside, looking agitated. He puts his hands on his hips. “I don’t like this, Tiny.”
“What do you mean?”
“I don’t like that he’s texting you, flirting with you. That he even knows your name.”
“Isn’t it a little late for that?”
He shakes his head. “I need to figure something else out.”
“Why is it so important to you?” I’ve never pressed him before. It hasn’t been important, but if we’re going to build something together . . . there can’t be secrets. Not of this magnitude.
He rubs the back of his neck and looks away. At least he’s not going to lie to my face. “It’s something I’m doing for someone else. Not for me. I don’t want to say more.”