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"Thank you," he whispered "You okay? You got soht?"
She didn’t, but she wasn’t going to tell him that So she lied instead "Yeah"
So on it, Bethy I’ll have a place for both of us soon"
She shook her head in denial, knowing it hat he always said, and also knowing it wasn’t going to happen
He leaned forward and kissed her forehead For a long ined different circumstances But that was pointless It hat it was and wishing for it to be different was like pissing in the wind
"I’ll be checking on you," he said
She nodded And then, as he started to melt back into the shadows of the alley, she looked up and said, "Be careful, Jack Please?"
His sht "Always, babe"
She watched hie built but she kneas also a useless eers curled and uncurled at her sides and the itch invaded The need, the craving She fought it, but it was a hard battle A victory that wasn’t coht about the pills in a long while, but tonight the need was there, ensconced in hunger and emotional pain
The need for oblivion Just that shortof tis looked up, even if for a few short hours
She couldn’t go back to that She’d fought too hard to ht say that would be even more reason to allow herself that slow slide back into the inky past But she had to be strong She wasn’t that person any longer
"Your boyfriend?"
The dry question startled her and she whirled around, her heart racing as she took in theat her
He was one of the richies A guest at the party More than just a guest, as Bethany had seen hieeous Sazine solely devoted to everything beautiful and wealthy A world she da in
He shoved his hands into those expensive slacks and continued to stare at her, his pose indolent and arrogant His green eyes flicked over her as if judging her, al whether to deeht
He had blond hair And she’d never really been attracted to blond men, but his hair wasn’t si froeous that it hurt to look at hi to answer me?" he asked mildly
Mutely, she shook her head and, to her surprise, he laughed
"Is that no you’re not going to answer me, or no he’s not your boyfriend?"
"He’s not my boyfriend," she whispered
"Thank fuck for that," he muttered
She blinked in complete surprise and then her eyes narrowed as he advanced toward her Quickly she ainst the door She couldn’t leave, so running wasn’t an option She needed the other half of her pay too badly and she wanted that food
But just as quickly he closed in on her again,into her space until her pulse leapt erratically and she began to eye the alley door, suddenly uncaring whether she’d get paid or not
"What’s your nalanced up at him "Uhm, does it matter?"
He paused a moment, cocked his head to the side and then said, "Yeah It matters"
"Why?" she whispered
"Because we’re not in the habit of fucking women we don’t know the name of," he said bluntly
Whoa There was sowith that statein She put her hand up in autoet any closer
"We?" she de about? Who the hell is we? And I’ anyone You We They No way"
"Jace wants you"
"Who the fuck is Jace?"
"And I’ve decided I want you"
She barely suppressed her snarl of rage Barely She grit her teeth and then went on the attack
"I a a complaint and then I’m out of here"
To her further surprise, he rinned and then reached out to touch her cheek
"Cool your jets, sweetheart I’ difference"
"Maybe in your book," she pointed out
He shrugged like he didn’t particularly care if she agreed
"Who the hell is Jace?" she repeated "And who are you? You don’t proposition a wo your naoing to bed with her? What is wrong with you? You didn’t even introduce yourself"
He laughed again and it was a war on to it forever It was a carefree sound and she bitterly resented it, was so jealous she wanted to burn with envy This was a man who had no probleo to bed with next
"My name is Ash Jace is my best friend"
"I’m Bethany," she said reluctantly Then her eyes narrowed "And you both ‘want’ me?"
He nodded "Yeah Not so unusual We share wouarantee we’ll et"
Her nostrils flared "Yeah I have Nothing special"
So flickered in his eyes She could tell she’d surprised him but oh well He should expect to have it handed back to hieous propositions like this