Fucking?
No, they weren’t having sex. He was surprised the woman was still conscious after downing the dose of Rohypnol he’d slipped into her drink when she wasn’t looking. He’d seen the way she’d wobbled up those front steps.
And the way King had held her protectively by his side the entire time.
Fucking boy scout.
He blinked, focusing on the house once again. Though Aurora’s curtains prevented a clear view inside, he could still make out the darkened silhouettes moving in the glow of the living room light.
He knew that space was the living room, of course, because he’d already been inside her house.
The work she’d put into the place so far was impressive. The freshly painted walls, shiny fixtures, red as fuck appliances, colorful paintings… Aurora’s choice of décor fit the whole artist vibe perfectly, which he assumed was the unsuspecting woman’s whole point.
Breaking into her place had been much easier than he’d expected. It was also a necessary step in his plan.
He’d gotten in, looked around, and got out. Didn’t touch, move, or take a single item. Left no trace of himself behind. He’d simply…
Looked.
Less than an hour had been enough to time fulfill the need for his original plan. But now… Now he’d have to rework the whole goddamn thing.
All because King had to swoop in and be a fucking hero.
Anger from before returned ten-fold. Tonight had started out so perfectly, but thanks to King, it hadn’t ended in the way he’d hoped.
It should be him in there with her. She should be passed out cold. Vulnerable and utterly defenseless.
Mine to do with what I want.
Oh, he’d still get what he wanted. Of that, there was no doubt. This little hiccup just made things a little trickier, that’s all.
It wasn’t as if he hadn’t considered the possibility that King would become an issue. He absolutely had. And it wasn’t like all was lost and he was throwing in the towel. Fuck no.
Who’s afraid of the big, bad SEAL? Not this guy.
No, he wasn’t afraid, but hewouldneed to step up his game. Especially if King ended up sticking around the sexy little temptress. And as he disappeared back into the shadows and walked away, a new plan was already beginning to form.
4
The bellabove Ro’s pounding head announced her presence as she opened the door to Cup of Joe. The glorious scent of freshly ground coffee filled her very soul, and if there hadn’t been other customers around, she was pretty sure she would’ve moaned.
“Pleasetell me you have a whole pot back there with my name on it,” she begged Megan as she approached the shop’s counter.
From the other side, her friend smiled wide and shot her a knowing grin. “Did someone drink a bit too much last night?”
“I must have.” Ro leaned an elbow on the top of the small, built-in bakery display. “I woke up this morning on the couch with my shirt off, a blanket draped over me, and my small bathroom trashcan on the floor next to me. Oh…” She stood straight again. “And apparently I’d gotten myself a glass of water and some ibuprofen, but fell asleep before taking it, because it was still sitting on the coffee table when I woke up an hour ago.”
And now it was after eleven, and she still hadn’t had her first coffee of the day.
Laughing, Megan handed her a large cup of her favorite caffeinated beverage. “Here’s your usual. And what do you mean, apparently? You don’t remember getting the water and ibuprofen?”
“I don’t even remember leaving the bar.” A fact that had freaked her the hell out when she’d first opened her eyes and realized she was home. “And I’m really hoping I didn’t throw up in your fiancé’s truck.”
Christian babies that thing almost as much as does Meg.
“Kind of hard to puke in Christian’s truck since Brody’s the one who drove you home.”
The bell above the door chimed, and on reflex, Ro turned to see who’d just walked in. As if a move designed by fate, the man himself appeared.