She shook her head in denial. “No, you three want to fuck me and use me as some kind of living, breathing, sex toy. I’m a person. I’m not going to be used.”
Zoe glanced up to see a mother approaching the park area. “I’ve got to go. I need to get some stuff from town.”
“Great. I’ll drive you.”
“That won’t be necessary. I can take care of myself.”
Connor stood over her. His gaze was focussed on her eyes. He cupped her cheeks forcing her to keep the contact of their gaze. “I’ll drive you into town. Don’t argue with me, Zoe. You will not win. That is a promise.”
She nodded her head, hating herself for giving in. Zoe felt the heat of his words go southwards. Her pussy was on fire and had been since the moment he’d joined her at the park. She nodded at the mother who’d finally decided to be a parent. The other woman was too busy looking at Connor. His bad boy reputation must precede him. She glanced at him and saw he wasn’t paying any attention.
“That woman was looking at you,” she said, testing him to see how he’d react.
“I don’t give a shit.”
He followed her up the flights of steps to her apartment door.
“You can wait outside,” she said.
“Dream on, baby. I’ll wait inside.”
She growled in annoyance. Opening the door, she tried to slam the hard wood in his face. Connor caught it and closed the door quietly. Zoe stormed off to the kitchen, put her cup in the sink, her book on the side and grabbed her purse.
When she got back to where she’d left Connor she found him staring at her bare walls and threadbare furniture. “There are no pictures,” he said.
“I don’t own any pictures.”
“Why not? Everyone should have some pictures.”
Her heart felt tight.
She shook her head.
Chapter Five
Connor stared at her for several seconds and thought better of invading her privacy a little more. She was clearly uncomfortable with talking about her past. He let out a sigh. No matter how hard he tried to get closer to her, she tried to keep the distance between them firmly in place. At least he’d finally gotten a look in her apartment. From what he saw, it gave him no hope at all.
He knew she wasn’t running from anything. A woman on the run wouldn’t be in an apartment or start to become attached to children in a park. Zoe was running from something else, but what he had no clue.
“Let’s go before Noah has a real reason to fire me.” He grabbed her hand and opened the front door. A guy stood on the other side with his hand raised to knock. “Can I help you?” Connor asked.
A gasp from behind him alerted him that Zoe wasn’t happy with the man at her door either. “I want a word with Zoe.”
“Zoe, do you want a word with this guy?” Connor asked.
“No. Bill, leave me alone.”
“Are you her boyfriend?” Bill asked.
Connor hated him on sight. He saw the expensive suit for what it really was. A costume. There was something about the guy that turned his stomach. Bill’s gaze moved to Zoe, and Connor saw the desire in his eyes. There is no way this man was going near his woman.
“She’s mine, Bill. Back off.”
He thought Bill was going to say something else. A quick glance between the two and the other man walked away. “Lock your door.” Connor didn’t let go of hers hand. They walked down to his truck together. He helped her inside then moved round to his own section. “Who was that guy?”
“I don’t know. His name is Bill. That’s all I know.”
“I don’t like him.”
A chuckle came from her. “You wouldn’t. He’s not a good guy.”
“What do you mean?”
“Let’s just say that Law Castle has its bad side as well.”
Connor wanted to ask more. He filed the information away for later. If he could get anything on the guy then he wanted to make sure the Sheriff knew what was going on. Bill was a threat. He’d seen and sensed it in the guy.
Pushing the thoughts away, he started the truck and made his way into town. The market was in full swing with plenty of people wandering around. He parked the truck along the street next to the mechanic shop. Brent and Jake stopped working the moment they saw him. He ignored them both and helped Zoe out of the truck.
The moment they saw her, they moved over. Several of the girls had stopped near a bench next to the shop. Their giggles as they stared at all three of them drove Connor crazy.
“Zoe,” Jake said. He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles.
“It sounds like you have a bunch of admirers,” she said.
Connor cursed. “They’re annoying little school-girls, Zoe. Nothing to feel threatened by.”