Page 42 of Savage Prince
I wish, is the first thought in my head, but I don’t voice it. My stranger hasn’t surfaced again, even though I’ve kept my eyes open, expecting to see either him or one of those magic little cards, but I’ve been totally SOL on both counts. Every day that passes has me thinking about it more. The craving keeps growing stronger. But that’s not something I’m going to say to Elijah.
“None of your business.”
“Bet I could do you better.” He knows me well enough to taunt effectively.
I shoot him a killing look. “Doubtful.”
Elijah crosses his arms over his chest and instead of being cowed, he postures. “Is that so? You think you’re the only one who’s changed over the years, Tempe? You think no one else has learned a damn thing new or moved out of the little box where you want to keep everyone in your past?”
I’m not going to give him the satisfaction of arguing. “Are you going to help me load this into my Bronco or what?”
Elijah glances back to the phoenix. “Maybe I want to keep it. Use it as yard art.”
My gaze snaps to his. “Someone paid fifty grand for one of my sculptures in the last week, and you think I’m going to let you keep it as yard art? Not a chance.”
“Whoa-ho-ho. There she is. There’s the fire and sass you’ve been hiding beneath that prim attitude. Fake attitude, I might add. Does your man know the real you, Temperance? Or does he just know the perfect little shell you show the rest of the world?”
“He knows how it feels to have me coming hard on his dick, so I’m pretty sure that’s all that matters.”
As soon as the bold words are out, I know I’ve made a mistake. I’m not going back down that road with Elijah, no matter how easy it would be. Time to get out of here, because this place is wearing off on me.
Elijah stalks forward until we’re practically nose to nose. “So do I. Maybe he and I could compare notes.”
Chapter 19
Temperance
Iflip from radio station to radio station on my way home, but every damn song sets me on edge, making me want something I can’t have.
Him.
I never realized exactly how frustrating this could be. It’s not that wanting what I can’t have is new to me—because it certainly isn’t. But normally I’m able to bury the craving deep beneath all the other feelings I don’t want to face.
I’m failing this time.
Going home to spend Saturday night by myself just won’t do tonight, but going out to a bar by myself doesn’t sound like fun either.
This is when it’d be nice to have friends.But working all the time makes having friends inconvenient at best and impossible at worst.
I pull into a parking spot a block away from my apartment, and pick my way down the broken concrete sidewalk to the gate that once again reminds me of the club and the man I’ve got to stop thinking about.
When the metal clangs shut behind me, Harriet’s voice comes from the base of the curved wrought iron staircase just outside her back door that leads up to my apartment.
“Oh good. You saved me from having to climb those awful stairs. I was just about to leave you a note.”
“What’s going on?”
She’s wearing a peach feather boa and a jaunty hat in the same color sits on her curls.
“Taking a last-minute trip with a gentleman friend. I’m past due for renewing my membership in the mile-high club.” Her statement is so matter of fact, that I can’t help but choke on my laugh.
“Where are you headed?”
“Norway, I think. Or maybe he said Nicaragua. It could’ve been Naples. Regardless, it’ll be a good time. I’ll be back in a few weeks. Maybe a month. We’ll see how long he can entertain me.” She bustles over to hug me, and the feather boa tickles my nose. “Take care of yourself, dear. Get some dick.”
I bite my lip to keep my mouth from dropping open as she steps away. Instead, I give her a serious nod. “I’ll work on that.”
She turns, but then spins back around and points at me. “You made something new, didn’t you?”
