Page 76 of Fierce Storm
“Keeley,” Sal grates, his teeth clenched in frustration, and I swear he follows it with“I’m trying here,”but he’s mumbling under his breath so I can’t be too sure.
Either way, a smile tugs at my lips as we walk.
Sal came to my rescue. He found out I was drinking, alone, and he hunted me down. Sure, he’s protective. It’s in his nature. It would be easy to believe that’s the reason we’re here.
Ifhe hadn’t looked at me like my face haunts his dreams.
I’m also ninety-nine percent sure there was mention of a spanking.
He wants me.There’s no doubt about it. Only he won’t touch me now that there’s alcohol coursing through my veins.
When I’m sober, however, that’s a different story. I have a feeling he’s not going to be able to deny me again.
And I want to find out.
Chapter Twenty-Two
KEELEY
My head’s throbbing the next morning as I sneak out of Sal’s apartment, an image of his locked jaw and tense gaze playing on my mind. I still plan on calling him out on his attraction to me, but doing it wearing last night’s dress and morning-after smudged makeup is not the way to go, even if I did attempt to wash it off.
I type a text to Sal as I ride the elevator, though I’m almost certain he wasn’t there. It was too quiet when I woke up at nine a.m., and Sal is both a night owl and morning person. He’s like a robot; he doesn’t need sleep to survive.
After hitting send, I lean my head back against the mirrored wall and close my eyes until the elevator stops, jolting me to open them again. I glance over at the door, my eyes drifting past the floor level on the screen, and my stomach drops. I’m on Easton’s level. Of course I’m on Easton’s goddamn level.
I hold my breath, my eyes wide as the door opens, and fuck… One internal groan later, I’m smiling by the time Easton glances up from his phone.
“Hi.”
“Keeley?” He frowns, his eyes bouncing around the small space as though he’s going to find something to clue him in on this strange occurrence. “What are you doing here?”
Good question.“I came to visit.”
“I’m on my way to the stadium.”
“I know. But I…”I what? What am I doing here?
Easton folds his arms over his chest, waiting for me to continue until his eyes bulge. He scowls as his gaze moves from my face down to my disheveled dress, and a grumble flows out of him.
“Are you doing the walk of shame? Fuck, Keeley. Did you sleep with someone in my building?”
“No. Jesus. Of course not.”
“The elevator was coming down. You were coming from a higher level.”
“I was. But only because I forgot to push the button for your floor.”
Easton leans back against the wall, his blue eyes clouded with suspicion. He doesn’t even speak and I fold, another lie spilling out of me.
“Fine. If you must know, I drank myself into an emotional state and needed my mom. I slept in the spare room. I’ve been feeling?—”
“Nope.” He holds up a hand to stop me. “I don’t need the details. I believe you.”
“Are you sure? We could go out for breakfast and I could fill you in on everything going on in my life.”
“Where are you going? If not my floor?”
“Back to Mom’s. I forgot something.”
