A Modern Love Story (15 page)

“No. Just practical. You don’t even fit on the couch, and I do, so why argue with me about it?”

“Because—”

“Rhetorical question, Stretch.” She pointed to the bedroom. “Now, go to bed. I know where the sheets are.”

“Like hell.”

“You’re really not going to budge, are you?”

He shook his head.

She crossed out her arms, stuck out her hip. “Then we share a bed.”

“We…what?”

“I think I can trust you to keep your hands to yourself.”

Don’t be so sure, he thought. “Not the point.”

“Then what is?”

“Just…” He sighed, pulling his hands through his hair. “Look, Robbie. I’m tired. Can we just go to sleep and have this argument next time.”

“Fine.” She stormed into the bedroom, flipping the light off behind her.

“Thank God,” he mumbled, pulling the cushions to the floor. After grabbing the heavy blanket off the back of the couch, he snuggled in and tried to fall asleep. He was nearly there, when he felt a pressure against his back.

“What the hell?” He jerked and looked over his shoulder. In the moonlight, he could see Robbie as she eased closer behind him.

“If you’re sleeping on the floor, then so am I.”

“The hell you are.” Pushing to his feet, he scooped her up from under the blanket. He clenched his jaw when he felt her bare thighs against his arms—she had taken off her fucking pants. The discovery quickened his stride and he dumped her off on the bed. “Stay.”

“No way.” She scrambled to get to her feet, flashing her pink panties as her shirt rode up while she scooted across the bed. God give him strength.

“Robbie. I’m tired. Just… Dammit, just stay.”

“And what are you gonna do about it if I don’t?” She smirked, raised a brow. “Tie me up?”

Jesus Christ, what was she trying to do to him?! No mortal man had the strength he had in that very moment. “What the hell do you want from me?!”

She jerked back as if he’d just slapped her. “Nothing.” She swallowed, regained her composure. “Why can’t you just accept that I have your comfort in mind and don’t want you sleeping on the couch. It’s not right.” She threw up her arms and grabbed her pants off the end of the bed. “Fine. If it’s that big a deal, I’ll go home and sleep. Then you can have your bed, and no one sleeps on the damn couch.”

He grabbed her arm, rubbed his temple. “It’s late, Rob. Just stay here.” He shifted his gaze. “We’ll share the bed.”

*****

The next morning, Robbie trudged through the door of her apartment and stumbled straight to her bed. Falling face first, she let out a groan as she sunk deep into the plush bedding. Sleeping in the same bed as Luc was a
huge
mistake. She didn’t sleep a wink. Correction.
Couldn’t
sleep a wink. She was too hyper-aware of him, mere inches away, the entire night.

Turning her head, she glanced at her clock. She had a few minutes before she had to get ready for her appointment. Closing her eyes, she blanked Luc out of her mind, and tried to gather the energy to focus on a game plan for her interview.

She jolted when the phone rang, startling her right out of her own head. She pushed off the bed and darted into the living room to grab the phone.

“Hey. Just wanted to wish you luck before you go,” Lizbeth said.

“Thanks. I might need it.” Robbie glanced at the clock on the wall. No problem.

“I was afraid I was gonna miss you. When do you have to be there?”

“Three o’clock. I have plenty of time yet.”

“Robbie. It’s almost three now.”

She made a snorting sound and glanced at the clock again. “It’s only one.”

“No. Check again, sweetie.”

Robbie strode into her bedroom, took one look at her alarm clock, and nearly dropped the phone. “Shit. I must have fallen asleep. I
gotta
go!” And with an uncharacteristic string of profanities streaming after her, Robbie sprinted into the bathroom.

*****

Payten tugged the heavy wooden door open, and strolled into the cozy, dimly-lit atmosphere of Hooligan’s. She immediately zeroed in on the bar, and there he was, tall and commanding, behind the thick mahogany barrier, chatting with a few customers.

“Luc. So good to see you again.” She slid onto the deep-red, vinyl bar stool.

He straightened and studied her, then sauntered over. “Payten, right?”

“Good memory.”

“Or not so much considering we just met yesterday.” He pulled down the towel slung over his shoulder and wiped at a wet ring on the counter.

“I’ll give you that.” She unbuttoned her suit jacket to show the v-cut blouse she had underneath, and then leaned forward on her elbows. “I told you I’d stop by.”

To her delight, he had to break his gaze from the cleavage she knew she was showcasing. “Shit, you don’t waste any time.”

Not sure if he meant the
stopping by
part or the
hitting on him
part, she chose to go the safer route. “I’m always on the lookout for a nice, quiet place to unwind after work.”

“Quiet place, huh? Well, you best keep looking then. It’s not called Hooligan’s for
nothin
’. Give her about an hour to warm up and she’ll lose her appeal real fast.”

“Are you trying to get rid of me, Luc?”

“Now, why would I do that, Payten? I just don’t think we have anything here for you.” He locked his eyes on her, making his true intent very clear, then gestured towards the bar as if indicating he was speaking of her taste in drinks instead.

She loved a man who played hard to get. Especially one as dark and rough as this one. “I’ll take a beer. Whatever you have on tap.”

He held her in his gaze a moment. With a shrug, he said, “Lady’s choice.”

Payten watched as a cute dirty blond with hazel eyes walked behind the bar.

“Hey, man.”

“Hey Conrad. Get this lady a beer.”

“Sure thing.” Conrad winked at her, then looked to Luc. “Luc. You look like hell. What happened to you?”

“Nothing. Just didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Hung out with Rob, right?” Conrad asked, pulling a frosted mug from somewhere behind beneath the counter.

Guy’s night would do it, Payten thought, flashing Conrad a smile. If this Rob looked like these two, she’d have to hang out here more often.

“Not that kind,” Luc said, nudging Conrad in the arm as he was about to fill her glass with a light beer. “Give the lady a dark one.”

“Thanks, Luc.” She folded her hands on the bar, grinned, and tried not to curse out loud. “That’s just what I wanted.”

“Uh huh.”

“So, Luc,” Conrad’s gaze shifted from her back to his friend. “Uh…why didn’t you get much sleep? You two make it a late one?”

Payten was getting the distinct impression he was feeling Luc out for information. Not too casual about it, but just enough to slip under the radar, apparently.

“No. Ah…yes. I don’t know.” He scrubbed his hands down his face. “She crashed at my place, and I just didn’t get much sleep. Why? What gives?”

She? Though Payten’s interest piqued, she pretended not to be listening by scanning the rest of the room, and sipping her nasty beer.
 

“Nothing, nothing. Just curious is all.”

“Be less curious, and more busy. We’re gonna get slammed soon.” Luc glanced at the clock. “I’m gonna get shit set up in the kitchen. Handle things.”

The room got bright when a patron opened the door and walked in. Payten looked over to see a green-eyed red head hanging her jacket on the coat rack.

“Hey, beautiful,” Conrad called out with a funny little salute. “How was your interview?”

The woman groaned as she slid onto a stool and smoothed out her skirt. “It was terrible.” She folded her arms and buried her face.

“It couldn’t have been that bad.”

She lifted her head, propping her chin in her palm. “You wanna bet? It couldn’t have gone worse if I had intentionally mucked it up.”

Payten only half-paid attention and only half-cared how the woman’s day went, but was suddenly more curious when she saw the look on Luc’s face as he walked into the room. He took one look at the red head, and his whole face lifted. Interesting. She glanced back at the woman and studied her closer. Yes, she supposed she was attractive. Intensely attractive, if she had to describe her perfectly. And from Luc’s reaction, very clearly her lead competition for his attention.

“Rob. How did it go?”

So this was Rob.

“Don’t ask, man,” Conrad said, setting a beer in front of her. “She’s in mourning.”

“That bad, huh, Squirt?”

“Don’t even get me started.” She grabbed the mug, chugged half its contents in one tip of the glass.

“Easy, slugger.” Luc chuckled and slid the beer away from her. “Why don’t you tell me about it?”

Robbie’s shoulders suddenly tensed and she gripped the edge of the bar. Eyes going wide, Luc darted around the bar and grabbed her hands.

Payten had no idea what the hell was going on.

“Conrad! Shut the fucking window.”

Conrad shot across the room in no time, and slammed down the only open window, effectively cutting off the melody of ‘Kashmir’ from the car at the curb.

“Deep breaths, baby. Come on. Deep breaths.” Luc dropped her hands and cradled her face. “Look at me, baby. Robbie, look at me. That’s right. You’re okay.”

Robbie’s voice was breathless, but sturdy. “I’m okay. I’m good. I’m good.” She gripped his wrists. “Just caught me by surprise, is all.”

Luc let out a breath and took the glass of ice water Conrad had brought over. “
Here.
Take a drink.” He watched as she complied. “It’s been awhile, huh?”

“Yeah. Over a year now?” Robbie nodded, took another drink. “Sounds about right.” She set the glass on the bar, slid off the stool. “I’m alright. I’m just gonna head home.”

Payten strained to hear their conversation as Luc walked her to the coat rack.

“Why don’t I come over tonight? Sit with you awhile,” he said.

“Can’t. I have a date.”

He pulled those broad shoulders back. “Who?”

“That guy I met here the other night. Bryan.”

“My attorney?”

I’ll have to thank Bryan for that, Payten thought. Maybe give the man a raise.

Robbie shrugged, pulled her jacket off the rack.

“No. Not good enough,” Luc muttered, taking her jacket and holding it open for her.

Robbie might be stiffer competition than Payten had thought.

“You never think so.” Robbie turned and buttoned up. “Am I ever gonna be good enough for anyone?”

Luc looked stunned, then put his hands on her shoulders. “That’s not what I said, Rob. I meant
he
isn’t good enough for
you.
”