High Strung (Power Station Book 1) (18 page)

“Were you thinking about me?” His voice swirled around each word. I was going to need to sit down. Hell, I was already sitting down. Maybe I needed to stand up. Get the blood moving, hopefully enough to where my brain kicked into gear.

“No, I’ve had lots on my mind today, so sorry, you didn’t feature,” I deadpanned.

“You are such a liar.” Dan laughed. “Was I doing dirty things? Whatever you are imagining isn’t even close to how good it can be.”

Yep, Standing up now. I think I could probably run a marathon at this point and it still wouldn’t shake my train of thought.

“Well I guess I will happily live in ignorance, because you know
that
isn’t going to happen.” I wasn’t really sure whose benefit I was saying it for.

“I think it will, but you keep living in denial.”

“Look, last night…” I swallowed, my eyes closing slowly before I continued. “Just don’t read too much into it. I had an itch and you helped me scratch it. That’s all.” Yep, that’s right. That’s all it was. At least that is what I needed to tell myself. I had a need, and he was able to appease it. Nothing more. Certainly nothing romantic. Dan was right. I was a bad liar.

“Is that what it was? Huh.” A gentle chuckle vibrated through the phone. “I think you will find if you ask my dick, he would tell you different.”

“Well then your dick is just as clueless as you are.” I smiled into the phone like an idiot.

Dan let out a loud, throaty laugh. “It’s been called a lot of things - huge, magnificent, amazing, outstanding, oh-my-god-don’t-stop, but never clueless. If there is one part of me that knows what it’s doing, it’s
that
part.”

“Okay, hanging up now.” Before I said something stupid. Or
more
stupid, as the case may be.

“Wait. What are you doing later? I want to see you.” His voice turned serious, not allowing me to end the call.

“Dan…” I blew a long breath into the phone. “Why?” Was I a game? The thrill of the chase? Was I just another name to add to his long list of conquests?

“’Cause I like you and despite you saying different, I think you like me, too.”

His honesty startled me. Why couldn’t he just say what I had expected him to say, that he wanted to sleep with me. That I could handle. The fact he liked me—whatever that meant—just complicated everything. He was supposed to say he wanted sex. I couldn’t go down that road with him. A relationship? No, Dan probably wasn’t even capable of that.

“Dan, we would never work. You know that I’m right. I want a lot of things, and dating a musician who can’t keep it in his pants isn’t on that list.”

“That’s cool, Ashlyn, ’cause I have a list, too. See my girlfriend has to have huge porno tits and be seriously good at blowjobs, so sadly, you don’t really fit the bill either. Great news about that is, we don’t have to worry about impressing each other or pretending we’re each other’s soul mates. We can just hang out.”

I blinked. He hadn’t missed a beat, throwing off my protest like water off a duck’s back. He should have been offended. Hell, I should have been offended but his whole rebuttal was so comical and sincere it just made him more endearing. His way of making it okay for us. And damn him if at that moment, Dan Evans had weaseled himself into a tiny corner of my heart. He was going to be the death of me.

“You’re crazy, you know that, right?” I giggled. “I’m going to give you a little hint, if you want a girl you probably shouldn’t tell her where her deficiencies are.”

“Just being honest, babe. Figured you’ve probably had enough douchebags lie to you to get you in bed. I’m never going to lie to you.”

“So big tits and blowjobs, huh? She sounds like she is going to be such a catch.” I smiled.

“Oh, hell yeah. The tits I
might
be able to overlook, as long as they are at least adequate, but the blowjobs, they are non-negotiable.”

“This is all very informative, I’ll let you know if I see anyone who meets the criteria.” I continued with his ruse. He made it so easy.

“Aw, Ash, you are kind of making me hard.”

“You are impossible, you know that?” I sighed, letting my head fall against the back of the couch.

“Yeah I know. Impossible to resist. So when can I see you?” he persisted. I repeated in my head my earlier sentiment. Death. Of. Me.

“I have to work tonight, Dan. Maybe some other time.” I was more than just a little disappointed. I wanted to see him. I wanted that and so much more.

“Wait. You’re working tonight? When were you going to tell me? I thought we agreed I would be taking you home.” Something in his voice shifted, an edge I hadn’t heard before.

“It’s okay, Dan, I know you’re just trying to be nice and it was a sweet thing to offer but I’m not going to hold you to it. I’ll promise to be safe. I’ll catch a cab.”

“Babe, I’m not nice or sweet, and I offered ’cause I wanted to. Besides
you
already agreed to it so you can’t take it back now. It’s a done deal. So you can forget taking a cab. Tell me what time and where to pick you up.” His tone darkened. Wow. He really wasn’t playing around.

“Dan, this is really—” I didn’t get a chance to say
unnecessary
before he interrupted me.

“I said where and when, babe.” His voice softened, the edge was still there but I could hear he was trying to rein it in. “If you want to make something harder than it has to be, I’ve got something between my legs that would love the attention. If not, then tell me what I need to know.”

I wasn’t going to argue. Dan had a way of talking until he got his own way and I was having enough trouble keeping check of my own emotions. If he wanted to drive me home, then fine, he could drive me home. But that’s where it would end. I would be sleeping alone tonight. As for his
something special between his legs
, he would be tending to that himself as well. I wasn’t a doormat, no matter how well intentioned he might have been.

“Fine. Two a.m. Garro’s. It’s a sports bar in Lower East Side. Don’t expect me to be friendly or give any part of you any attention.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m not your type. Got it. See you then.”

I ended the call more confused than when it had started. I had never met a man who pushed all of my buttons like he did,
all
of my buttons. He infuriated me and yet excited me. Gah! I was a hot mess and I didn’t know if Dan Evans or I was to blame.

****

It was another busy night at the bar. My arms were getting a work out from the numerous pitchers of beer I was putting up on the bar. It was easy to forget my earlier annoyance, getting lost in the noise of the crowd. They commiserated, consoling each other after a Giants loss, the replay from the earlier game being piped through the big screens adding insult to injury. This only fueled the alcohol consumption.

“Another, sweetheart,” Mack slurred, his crumpled fiver extending over the bar. Mack and his crew were regulars. Hardcore New Yorkers and sports fanatics, they had been coming to Garro’s since the day it opened.

“Going to have to cut you off, Mack. Why don’t you let me buy you and the boys a round of soda instead?” I smiled knowing while they were loud and rowdy they weren’t the kind of guys to start trouble. Still, rules were rules and they were all on the other side of sober.

Mack swayed unsteadily on his feet. “My boys let me down tonight, Ash. A man needs to drown his sorrows.”

“I know, but if I serve you another beer we are probably going to end up sharing a cell together and as exciting as that sounds, Rosie would probably have my hide.” I shot him a quick wink.

Rosie was not only the love of his life, but a tough-as-nails housewife from Long Island. I wouldn’t want to be on her wrong side or have to make the call that her husband had been hauled off on a public intoxication charge.

“You’re lucky I’m not younger.” Mack smiled, his light blue eyes twinkled hinting at the trouble I knew he must have caused in his youth.

“She’s a handful, buddy. Lot’s of trouble.” Dan’s smug face beamed as he took a seat at the bar. I did my best to ignore him, turning my attention to polishing wine glasses. I clearly needed the distraction, because these glasses were rarely used, no one ever drank wine. It had just turned midnight; I hadn’t expected to see Dan for at least another hour.

“The best ones usually are.” Mack nodded in agreement. “She your girl?”

“Nah, she’s too smart for that. I’m just her ride for the night. My name’s Dan.” Dan stood and held out his hand. He looked good. Too good. His leather jacket was unzipped revealing a Black Flag T-shirt underneath, finishing his look with a pair of faded blue jeans.

“Mack.” He clasped Dan’s hand firmly. “Good to see someone is looking out for her.” Mack turned to look at me, grinning approvingly.

“Doing what I can, but she isn’t making it easy.” Dan eased into his seat, doing little to hide the fact his response had been directed at me rather than Mack.

“Okay you two. I’m right here.” I tossed the dishrag aside. They both now had my attention.

“Well if you aren’t going to serve us any more beer, might be time for me and the fellas to call it a night.” Mack shot me a wink. “Think I’m about done. Nice meeting you, Dan.” He tipped his head to Dan before strolling off.

“Likewise, Mack.” Dan nodded, watching Mack shuffle away. He waited until Mack was out of earshot before leaving across the bar. “You flirting with the customers to make me jealous?”

“Come on, Dan, Mack is like sixty.” I rolled my eyes wondering if he was serious.

“Makes no difference to me. Do I need to lay him out?” I watched the smile spread across his face. He had such an amazing smile, why had I never noticed? I needed to concentrate on the fact I was still mad.

“You are such a tool. I’m still mad at you by the way. Don’t think you can come in here and be all charming.”

“I’d rather you be mad at me and know you’re safe than the alternative.” He didn’t offer me an apology or explanation.

“I’m not the kind of girl who needs a man to tell her what to do.” I planted my hands on my hips. If he was going to be standing here then he might as well know how I felt. I didn’t need a hero.

“Look, Ash. I’m sorry I snapped at you but this is not something I’m going to back down from. I’m not trying to own you or order you around. If you want me to go wait in the car, I will, but you have no chance of me letting you go home alone tonight.” His voice softened but was still resolute. His dark smoldering eyes didn’t break contact with mine. There was something else I saw within those dark expressive pools. He wasn’t trying to be possessive but protective.

“It was Lexi, right? Your friend.” I felt myself relent. He was trying to be kind and while his execution wasn’t great, his motives were sound. It was the
why
of the motives that still confused me.

“That’s not my story to tell, Ash. Sorry.” He reached across, his hand grazing my knuckles. The sincerity was not missed, nor was the sweetness in his tone. There was no way I could stay angry.

“Maybe I overreacted.” I gave him a slight smile before warning him. “Don’t start any fights with the patrons and you don’t have to wait in the car.”

“I won’t start any fights if you stop flirting with other men.” He gave me a cheeky sideways glance. It was our way of calling a truce.

“I don’t know, Dan. That old-timer in the corner has been giving me the eye all night and I have to admit I’m kind of tempted.” I fanned myself, biting my lip to suppress my smile.

“Just point him out to me, babe, and I’ll set him straight.”

The bar was deserted
except for a few other staff members and the security. The doors had been shut half an hour ago but they had let me wait inside as I was driving Ash home and it didn’t hurt the bouncer was a fan of the band. I signed the back of his security shirt and handed him a guitar pick I had stashed away in one of my pockets, and he was grinning like a kid who’d just touched boobs for the first time.

Despite this being a bullshit job I knew that she hated, she refused to cut corners and she worked her ass off making sure the place was immaculate before she punched off the clock. I watched Ash move around the bar, the boring, shapeless uniform she was wearing trying to hide the smokin’ body she had underneath. Fuck, she was beautiful. Not just in the I-wanted-to-get-her-under-me sense, but also in I-could-look-at-her-all-day. I watched as her perfect ass swayed toward the staff locker room, the thought of taking her to the shithole apartment she lived in made me want to break shit.