Page 93 of War Within
Ignoring her question, I rolled my eyes.When do you get back in town?
Sunday and I want to see you. She tucked her bottom lip between her teeth.
“Carmine, can you help me please?!” Lily shouted from another room.
I glanced back over my shoulder quickly before hovering my thumb over theEndbutton.I have to go.
Who the hell was tha—
I closed the call before she could finish her statement.
“No girlfriend huh?”
“What?” I turned around, dropping my phone back in my pocket before crossing my arms. “She's not exactly my girlfriend.”
“Friends with benefits?” Arching a brow, she appeared practically annoyed.
“Something like that.” I shrugged, before shaking my head. “So, what did you need help with?”
Her chest rose as she took a slow, deep breath. I took a step closer, wrapping my hands around her arms. I felt the jealousy. It was obvious. She peered up, meeting my gaze.
“Lily, I—”
“Hey, it’s cool.” She took a step back, tossing her arms out. “Coolcoolcool.” She muttered rapidly. “We're not dating or anything, so you don't owe me an explanation.” She giggled, reversing toward a hallway, slowly. “Anyway,” she exhaled a shaky breath. “I left a box over there that I can’t lift any longer.”
“I'll grab it on the way out.” I smirked, watching unmistakable envy consume her. It was cute.
My gaze adverted to the floor, noticing she dropped her phone at some point. I leaned over, picking it up, pinning it between my fingers. “You dropped something.”
Marching across the room, she snatched it from me. I grabbed her by the arms once again, peering down into her wide orbs. She froze, gulping, blinking slowly. She took a step backwards, never averting her gaze. I stepped forward. Our heads tilted in opposite directions as our faces inched closer.
“I just…need…to get…something else.” Her breath hitched between each word. “Can you…please let me…go?” She exhaled.
Breaking the spell, I eased my grip, moving back. “I'm not a good guy, Lily.”
“So, you lied about the girl?” Her voice cracked.
“No,” I shook my head. “It's nothing like that.”
“Okay?”
I sighed. “With my job, it's easier not to get attached.”
She lifted a hand to her chin, awaiting a better explanation.
“When I'm in a relationship, I'm faithful but I'm not in one right now.” I shrugged.
She clasped her hands in front of her body, fidgeting.
“There are several women I do see.” I glanced at the ceiling, trying to recall the events before Marco was focused on kidnapping Jane. “I guess, anyway.”
She took a deep breath, averting her gaze to the floor. “Are you sure you're just a security guard?”
She was nosy and it was going to get us both in trouble. I knew she was still hung up on the pain Tyler caused her, but we had grown so close in such a short time. Fighting my attraction to her was useless. I love gambling and it was the biggest wager of my life.
Suddenly, she glanced around me. Marching through the living room, she gathered all the photos of her and Tyler. Stomping to the kitchen, she swung open the pantry door, dropping the frames into the trash can. “There! I’m so over it.”
When I got home from the funeral, Jane was standing in my office. I was taken aback because women never stepped foot in there without permission. It was off limits and grounds for not so generous punishments. However, I never told her. It was never addressed because our focus was on other things. I remained quiet about it.
