Not everything is what it seems. Trust in him and trust in what you know, not what you think is happening.
The sting of tears threatened once again as she thought back to the scene in the bar from last night. Shane, I don’t know what you want me to think. I don’t know what is real anymore. Dashing her hands against her eyes to keep any more tears from falling, she showered and then headed back out. To the market. To meet Mr. Tochi’s nephew.
* * *
Several hours later, sitting at a neighborhood Italian restaurant with Ricardo, Annie found herself wishing that the man across from her was someone else. Ricardo was delightful, but there was no spark. He was well-mannered but seemed shy. He was handsome, but there was nothing that made her want to take him home and rip his clothes off. Ricardo was predictable, not wild and untamed. Jesus, stop comparing him to Shane. But the more she sat with Ricardo, the harder it was to not think of Shane when things were good.
“You seem preoccupied. Am I boring you?” Ricardo asked politely.
Blushing, she hastened to assure him. “No, I’m so sorry. There’s just a lot on my mind today. I have enjoyed lunch, but I really should be getting back. I have some work that needs to be done today.”
He placed his hand on hers and said smiling, “I have had a delightful time, Annie. Perhaps we can have lunch again sometime soon.”
Smiling back, she could not think of a reason to not acquiesce, even though her heart was not there. “Sure, that would be fine.”
Walking back down the street to the clinic, she kept glancing behind her. The uncomfortable feeling that someone was watching her made her uneasy.
Ricardo, noticing her behavior, asked if she were all right, as he placed his arm around her shoulder.
“I’m sorry, I am just a little nervous.” They had reached the clinic, but she hesitated at the door. Looking up into his handsome face, she asked, “Ricardo, would you mind stepping in with me for a moment. I’d feel better if someone was with me to make sure no one is in the clinic. I know it is silly, but there have been some robberies,” she lied. The uneasy feeling of being followed had continued and she felt desperate to make sure the clinic was empty.
“Of course,” he said with concern. He walked through each room with her, making sure the door to the alley was locked and secure.
“Thank you so much for a lovely afternoon,” she said truthfully while knowing she would not be seeing him again.
Ricardo leaned down and placed a chaste kiss on her lips. “The pleasure was all mine. I’ll call you the next time I’m in town.”
Watching him walk back down the sidewalk, she shut the clinic door leaning her head against it for moment. “God you are such a fool,” she said to the empty clinic.
“Have a good time?” a deep growl came from behind her.
Screaming as she whirled around, she stood stunned looking at a very pissed off Shane standing in the middle of her reception area. Heart pounding, she took him all in. The close-cropped hair, strong jaw that was tight with emotion, the muscles straining his t-shirt, right down to his old, faded jeans tight across his thighs. And anger. Pouring off of him. Directed at her. What the fuck?
“Shane, Jesus you scared the crap out of me!” she exclaimed. “What the hell are you doing here?” She threw up her hand as she attempted to walk by him saying, “Wait. I don’t want to know. I don’t care. But you can just leave the way you came, however that was!”
He grabbed her arm as she attempted to pass him and swung her around so that she was plastered to his front. Both arms encircled her essentially trapping her into place.
“Oh no you don’t, you jerk. You let go of me right now or I swear, I’ll scream the house down!”
“Not until you listen to what I’ve gotta say,” he growled again.
“I don’t want to listen to you, Shane. I’m done playing stupid and being played. You think this is a game, well here’s a tip buster. I don’t like this game. It hurts!”
Grabbing her by the arms, he pushed her away from his body just enough to lean down into her face. “A game? You think I’m playin’ a fuckin’ game? You think I’ve spent two years of my life in hell, all for a game?” His voice started low but rose to a roar, giving her a little shake, “A fuckin’ game?”
Eyes wide, she stared up into his face. A face that had kissed her sweetly and gentled when he came inside of her. Now she had poked the bear and had no idea what to say. Bringing her hands up, she placed them on his chest. “You’re scaring me,” she whispered, tears starting to spill down her cheeks.