Page 24 (1/2)

He left The Club on autopilot, slipping into his car and driving out of the private lot, ht He may not have reacted in front of Preston, but the blank space in hisin a way he hadn't experienced since returning stateside Bad things happened in those blank spaces, things he couldn't take back

It took him a minute to realize where he was He'd crossed the street and sat idling in the back parking lot of Divine Twins Itfrouarantee that it was her inside the building Most iht to stop by and check up on her, especially not at this god-awful hour of the

His body had aat the door, stoh a series of foul thoughts at his stupidity, and tried to decide if he could run back to his car Footsteps approaching the door prevented his escape Instead, he stuffed his hands in his pockets and prayed that he didn't terrify so in the shadows

When the door didn't open, he rested his weight back on his heels and called out, "Viv? You in there?"

That did the trick Locks disengaged and a sliver of light appeared when the door opened a crack

"Zeke, what are you doing here?"

God, just her voice was enough to send a cascade of lewd thoughts through his head Hoas it possible to have this kind of a connection with a woman after such a short amount of time? And why the hell did the few days he'd been out of contact with her feel like a lifetime?

"I'm sorry"

The door opened a little more and he could finally make out a slice of her face and body thanks to the diht Her hair was pulled up, her sleeves pushed above her elbows, and a well-used apron covered her soft curves Her expression was one of cautious amusement and it hurt uardedness

"Thank you?" she offered "You didn't have to stop by to say that though I got your e"

Damn So it was a conscious choice to not call hi the situation Tio, idiot

"Ah, good Well, just felt it was only right to tell you in person too Soyeah" He looked around hirateful for the pre-dawn darkness At least then no one would see the flush that was burning over his face He gave her a curt nod "See you around"

In her recent days ofsituations when she'd run into Zeke again

So boldly into The Club, on special invitation fro Zeke with a toss of her hair andher to another man who could appreciate her and satisfy her insatiable sexual urges

Other ti out of a rom-com He'd walk into her bakery, all doe-eyed andaffection for herhiive hiht rain would end with her catching up to hi hi drivers