Her chest tightened. “You… hurt me. It was either change or die.”
He nodded his head. “I know. But I promise, I only did what I had to. And I’m sorry it hurt you, little one.”
She scoffed, letting out a bitter laugh. “You’re sorry, well that makes everything okay, doesn’t it. So glad you got that off your chest. Now I want you to leave.”
She’d be quietly hiding under her bed, hoping lightning wouldn’t strike her for the big, fat lie she’d just told. But she had to do what she had to do. She couldn’t afford to make herself that vulnerable again, no matter how much she longed for him to hold her.
He opened his mouth, then pressed his lips together and walked to the door. “I’m leaving for now, but I’ll be back. I have a signed contract. I’ll be your roommate until Elodie comes back.”
When he walked out, she rushed forward and locked the door behind him.
Argh! Of course, he wasn’t going anywhere. That would be the rational, sensible thing to do. How could the universe trap her with him like this?
Later, as she tried to sort through the remaining bills, Jaxon returned. Once again, he just walked in and made himself at home, settling into the living room with an ease that made her want to curse and laugh at the same time. Instead, she tried to ignore him.
But his presence was overwhelming, and she couldn’t help but notice his hard eyes scanning her dark, moody décor. She couldn’t resist occasionally glancing over at him. Every time she did, he was looking at her with those protective glances he used to always send her way, catching her even as she set boundaries to protect her heart.
“Darkling,” he murmured once, softly.
She flinched at the sound. Maybe the name fit more than she realized. Who did he think he was fooling? Why was he pretending he understood her now? “You’re still going to call me Sprite,” she muttered, not bothering to hide her irritation.
He smirked. “Not giving up that easily. Old habits die hard.”
She rolled her eyes, something she would never have done in his presence before.
She stopped herself before she reached down to rub her bottom inanticipation of the punishment that would have surely come at one time. When she thought about it, he’d always let her be whoever she wanted… but that didn’t mean he was letting go of who she’d been to him.
He was acting as if he’d been living here for years. No, like he’d never left. If only that were true.
CHAPTER FOUR
By the time she left for her shift at the Books-N-Brew, she was nothing but a bundle of nerves. Her coworkers’ gossip swirled around her the moment she stepped inside, wanting to know everything they could about Jaxon.
Lovie glanced at her with curiosity. “Do you think he’s staying? Here in Darling, I mean.”
“I hope not,” she muttered, then mentally chastised herself.
Liar. You know you hope he does.
Damn traitorous heart.
“Why do you think he moved in with you?” LeLe eyed Tazzy with worry. “Do you think he wants to get back with you?”
“I don’t know. You should ask him,” she replied, avoiding the question herself
because she wasn’t sure she could survive the answer.
LeLe shook her head. “I can’t talk to him. He probably hates me. You know, the trial and everything?
“He doesn’t hate you. You were used the same as he was. And you’re the reason he’s free now.”
Gabi’s nose wrinkled, excitement lit her eyes. “Does he have tattoos? Ooh, tell me—he’s got a story for each one, right?”
Tazzy was going to scream. “Yes, he has tattoos. I don’t know if they have stories. But I do know why you’re asking. Raleigh will kill you if you get a tattoo," Tazzy snapped. “Why is everyone asking me all these questions about Jaxon? I hadn’t talked to the man for eight years until two days ago. I don’t know any more than you.”
Everyone stared at her, eyes wide, for a few seconds, then no one spoke to her again. Argh! Jaxon had only been home two days, and she was going crazy already.
A few minutes later, Suzi arrived, notebook in hand, looking for a quote for the Daily Nugget. That was the final straw. Something in Tazzy snapped.