The Seduction(13)
Author: Carly Phillips

“He seems to really be into you.”

I shrug. “I hope he is.” Because I’m really into him.

Like, really into him. As in, I think I’m falling hard. A month has passed since we slept together for the first time, and we’ve really bonded. He meant it when he said he liked to cook, and I spend more and more of my off time in his Queens house. Since the area is so small, there’s a lot of hip bumping and grinding, which I know is intentional. It’s fun and sexy, and I feel so good about him, us, and the direction of my life. And it’s about time.

My classes are almost over. Finals are coming up in two weeks, and graduation looms like a big, shiny beacon. It won’t mean the complete end of my attachment to my parents, but if I can find a job, I’ll be closer than not to self-sufficient.

I’ve been sending out resumes and applying for apprentice-type jobs in decent Manhattan restaurants. It’s a stretch to think I’ll get one that way. One of my professors knows my goals and promised to talk to some people he knows in the industry and see if they can find me a training position. I hope a connection comes through by graduation. I can work a day job for pay and learn at night. The Tavern hasn’t been helping. I haven’t worked anything except the bar in months, despite Tank’s brother’s initial promise of kitchen training.

In my most daring dreams, I want to own a specialty breakfast shop where I can cook my own recipes that I’ve been working on and perfecting since I turned sixteen. I have an entire handwritten book of ideas, and I know exactly what I would want the place to look like and what I would want to serve. It would be any breakfast lover’s dream. I’ve even gone so far as to share my hopes and dreams with Zach, and he hasn’t laughed at me. Instead, he encourages me to believe.

For now, I’m serving drinks though, and I start going through my night. But I’m taken off guard when I find Sean sitting at the bar at The Tavern, staring at me through hooded eyes. All six feet of him dwarf most other men. I used to take one look at his dark hair, blue eyes, and muscular body and melt. Now I prefer one blond, built man who has consumed my every thought. Still, Sean’s here to see me, and I signal to Callie to take over for me.

Curious and confused, because Sean has no time for anyone or anything, I walk toward him. “What are you doing here?”

He scowls, as if annoyed that he’s here at all. I suppress a grin and don’t tell him I appreciate him coming out to see me. It’ll just make him uncomfortable.

“So?” I ask.

His gaze rakes over my outfit, and his frown deepens. “I want to meet this guy you’ve been gushing about.”

My cheeks burn with heat. “I don’t gush.”

“I beg to differ. I call you this morning to make sure there haven’t been any more incidents at work, and all you can talk about is this Zach guy. Does he have a last name?”

“Anders,” I say and look toward Zach’s usual seat. The seat he’s had since we’ve been together.

The chair is empty. Now I’m the one frowning.

“Anders.” Sean narrows his gaze.

“What?” I snap, not liking the look on his face.

He shakes his head. “Nothing. At least not yet. Don’t get over-involved with him. I’ll have him checked out.”

“You’ll do no such thing!” I yell.

Suddenly there’s a big hulking presence beside me. My boss, not my … boyfriend? What is Zach to me anyway? We’ve never defined or labeled it. Suddenly I want to.

“Problem?” Tank asks.

I shake my head. “Just a family issue,” I say, glaring at Sean. “I can handle it.”

“Five minutes and back to work.” Tank strides back behind the bar, but he points two fingers, gesturing between his eyes and me and Sean. He’s watching out for me.

I find it odd that suddenly Zach’s nowhere to be found.

“Introduce me to this guy who never leaves you alone.” Sean folds his arms across his chest. The muscles in his forearms bulge … not even a quiver from me.

I glance around quickly. “He had to leave tonight. Emergency,” I say.

Again, he narrows those cold eyes. Good thing I know I’m exempt from the chilliness there. “I don’t like it. And I’ll be in touch.”

I roll my eyes. “Yes, big brother.”

He smiles. It’s quick and brief but I catch it.

“Don’t do anything crazy. No digging into his background. This one’s different.” I’m sure of it.

“Everyone’s got secrets, Chloe. I’m just going to make sure his can’t hurt you.”

I shiver at his words. Unnecessary words. Words that don’t apply to Zach.

Except it’s not like him to disappear without telling me. So … where has he gone?

I ask him as soon as he returns to his seat, not long after Sean’s gone home.

“Got a call from South Oaks.” His eyes are cold, and I shiver.

“Is everything okay?” I ask, worried about his sister.

“Yeah. Fucking perfect. Think I can get a drink?”

I blink and spin away, pissed that he thinks he can talk to me that way for no good reason, and for the next twenty minutes, I proceed to ignore him.

Of course, that doesn’t mean Tank or Callie ignores him, so someone serves him a drink. He broods while I work, and I have no idea what’s come over him, but my feelings are hurt, and I’m upset.

Even if I have to spend money on a taxi, I’m going home alone. Except when my shift ends and I head out front hoping to avoid him, he catches up to me. “Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

“Home. Alone.” Of course, it’s late, and the patrons are gone, so no taxis are driving by, just cars, which means I’m stuck with him.

I step onto the side of the road for a better look, and he yanks me back. “You’re going to get hit. Come on. I’m sorry.”

“Really? Again?”

To his credit, he looks away.

“Listen,” I say, more gently this time. “I understand that you have personal issues. I have them too. But you can’t take them out on me.”

He swallows hard, and it’s obvious he can barely meet my gaze. “I’ll work on it.”

I suppose that’s the best he can do. “Good. I’m tired. Can you take me home now?”

He nods. We’re almost at my dorm, a place I won’t have to see in another few weeks, when he looks over at me. “I think we just had our first fight.” He pulls up in front and puts the car into park.