Page 8 of Roughing
“No, I’m at my new job but just about to leave.”
“I could pick you up at work if you prefer.”
My gaze shifted to the darkened alley outside. I squinted but couldn’t see anything beyond the small pool of light cast through the small window.
“That works.” I gave him the address and instructed him to drive around to the back alley.
Having him come here was a stroke of brilliance. If I’d chosen my apartment, we’d end up in bed. But here— There wasn’t anywhere for us to screw our brains out, and I didn’t know if Carla might return during the evening. I was safe from temptation.
“That’s a questionable part of town. What are you doing there?” I almost thought I heard concern in Briggs’s tone, but I had to be delusional. Briggs didn’t care about anyone, not even himself.
“That’s my new workplace.” My statement was met with silence. “One more thing.”
“Yeah?” he said.
“We’re not fucking tonight or ever. I’m done with you and your jealousy.”
“Okay.”
I detected disappointment. Of course he assumed we’d end up naked. We always did.Not this time, buster, I swore and crossed my fingers. I had to be strong and resist the sexual magnetism emanating from this man.
I wasn’t sure how I’d manage, considering I’d never been able to tell him no before, but I was determined to prove I had willpower. He’d stepped over the line at the gala, and I wouldn’t be associated with him again. I cared about appearances, while he displayed no concern regarding what others thought.
“I mean it,” I added.
“I said okay.”
I scowled at the phone, not believing him for a minute. Briggs was an expert at enticing me into wanting him, but this time was about my self-respect. I wouldn’t give in.
“I’m on my way. It’ll take me about fifteen, twenty minutes to get there. I’m at the practice facility.”
“I’ll be here.”
The minutes ticked by, and Briggs was nowhere to be found. I texted him. He didn’t respond, but he probably wouldn’t if he was driving. Annoyed, I debated leaving. I hated it when a guy kept me waiting. That was my MO, not theirs.
I craned my neck to see through the window, making sure there weren’t any ominous shadows or monsters lurking outside. I didn’t notice anything, but relentless rain made visibility next to impossible.
Deciding fate had given me a message, I switched off the lights, unlocked the back door, and slipped outside. Turning, I fumbled getting the key in the lock but finally managed to secure the office.
I dug in my purse for my car keys, realizing too late I’d done one of the dumbest things a woman alone in the dark could do. I hadn’t fished out my keys before exiting.
Cursing, I riffled through my huge purse, crammed full of every item I’d ever need or hope to need.
A loud clatter was followed by a metallic bang. I jumped out of my skin. My heart raced and my pulse pounded. I fumbled for the keys while scanning the darkness. The noise had come from the direction of a couple garbage cans, barely visible against the brick wall twenty feet down the alley. Had someone slammed the cover shut? Had a cat knocked them over?
I was close to full-blown panic when headlights pierced the darkness, rounding the street corner and turning toward me. I held my breath, gripping the office keys between my fingers, ready to gouge out an attacker’s eyes.
As the car approached, movement off to one side caught my attention. Was that a figure just outside the scope of the headlights?
A large truck stopped before me, and Briggs poked his head out the window. “Sorry I’m late.”
I ignored him. My gaze fixed on where I’d seen something or someone.
“Mick, are you okay?”
I didn’t bother calling him out for using my family nickname. We weren’t alone in this alley.
I barely heard his door open, but a second later, he was next to me with his arm around my shoulders. I was tall, but Briggs was taller, and I leaned into the comfort of his body.
