The Right Kind of Love (2 page)

One Month Later

Sydney

O
ne broken rib, a healed black eye, and a busted lip, I drove into Vegas. What I saw had my belly full of butterflies and a huge smile on my face. I’d finally made my way from Detroit, Michigan to the glamor and glitz of Las Vegas, Nevada. I needed a new start to my life after what I’d endured, which I tried not to think about, because I wasn’t going to let that vile bastard rule my life. Yes, I was now damaged, but I wasn’t broken. A fresh start away from the memories and those familiar things was what was needed in my life. Plus, I didn’t want to be anywhere near the bastard.

I had thrown fifty small pieces of folded up paper, each with a name of a city and state, into a hat. What I drew out of the hat was good ol’ Vegas. I couldn’t believe I actually was making the move. But a clean break and change was exactly what was needed.

I was driving down Tropicana. I had my dog, Zeus at my side, and a smile on my face. Life was definitely better. I was taking in the beautiful huge Palms Hotel. It was all lit up and inviting with signs flashing and the big Playboy sign on the side. I couldn’t wait to visit. What twenty-two-year-old wouldn’t want to live a life in Vegas? I was determined not to fall into a habit of partying and going to the casinos, because let’s face it, that would mean we clearly would have a problem, Houston. But I would at least go out and have some fun, do a little gambling, and hit some clubs. It was my goal to hit all of the buffets. My stomach rumbled at the thought.

I wanted to stop off and visit all of the hotels. However, I had to make my way to my new apartment. I was running a little late. I had emailed my new roommate to let her know I was going to be there in the afternoon, but the sun was setting as it was evening now. My belly started to rumble again, I was starving. Once I was settled, I would have to find something to eat.

Luckily, I had landed a job before I moved. Until I established my clientele, I wouldn’t be able to afford to live on my own, though. Cosmetologists could make a killing, but it was only if you were in the right place at the right time. Bangs Salon and Spa was very reputable and had a steady stream of customers from what I was told. When I’d looked up their website, and then had done the phone interview, I was more than impressed.

My living arrangements left me a little nervous. I’d gone through an apartment finder for a roommate. From the pictures, the place looked amazing, but I still didn’t know how I felt about living with a stranger. Since I was fairly outgoing, I knew she and I would have no trouble making fast friends.

As I pulled through the gates of the complex, I noticed the beautiful Spanish tiled roofs on the stucco buildings, ginormous palm trees, and a pool that looked like it belonged on its own oasis. I couldn’t wait to throw on my bikini and get some much-needed sun. It was a far cry from Detroit.

I parked my car in front of building B and got out of my black Jeep Liberty and cracked the window. I didn’t want my little guy to die from the heat. “Zeus, I’ll be right back buddy, I’m gonna go meet our new roommate.” I gave him a kiss on the nose and then shut the door. The apartment placement said small dogs were fine, but I still had trepidations about my roommate actually liking Zeus. He was such a good dog, and I couldn’t imagine going anywhere without him. I’d gotten him a few years ago after my mom had died. My step-dad worked nights so Zeus kept me company when I was home alone. And then when I had moved in with Bee, she was all about Zeus.

I grabbed my phone out of the pocket of my black skinny jeans and pulled up the information about the apartment. Yes, I was at the right place Ovation Apartments building B. Now I just needed to find apartment 215, which I assumed was on the second floor. I made my trek from the parking lot, crossing over to the sidewalk where I noticed beautiful green grass and shrubberies with flowers lining the walkways. This place was pretty damn nice. It would be my own personal paradise. I made my way up the stairs and found 215.

Time to meet my new roomie.

I lifted my hand and let out three distinct knocks.

The door swung open to a woman scantily dressed with platinum blonde hair, caked on makeup, and long legs that stretched far outside of her very short mini dress.

“Who the fuck are you?” the woman asked me. She couldn’t be over twenty-five and she had quite the attitude, but if she could dish it, I could dish it right back. My mother never taught me to sit on the back of the bus. She taught me to stand up for who I am.

“Well, who the fuck I am is Sydney Summers. I’m looking for Dana Blue. Is that ‘who the fuck’ you are?” I pumped out my hip and popped my leg for extra measure.

She looked down at me because, let’s face it, I was a shorty at 5 foot. “I think you must have the wrong place.” And with that, she slammed the door in my face.

What a complete psycho bitch.

Taking my phone out of my pocket again, I looked at the information and then confirmed it by looking at the door once again. Yes, I was in the right spot. Fuck her, so I was going to be living with a psycho bitch.

Gathering my wits, I brought my hand to the door and knocked once again, but this time I didn’t get in three knocks.

The door swung open and this time, a guy answered. I looked up at him and my breath hitched. He was gorgeous. He was well over a foot taller than me with hair that was longer on the top and shorter on the sides giving him the look of a toned down version of a Mohawk. He had medium brown hair and brown almost black eyes, the color of the blackest espresso I’d ever seen. From the looks of him, he seemed like he was a regular at the gym, and
have mercy from beyond,
from his black short sleeved shirt peeked out all sorts of tattoos. He was breathtaking. Not the typical kind of guy I would go for, but there was just something about him that screamed raw sex appeal. I was slightly shocked that he didn’t immediately intimidate me after what I’d been through. But there was something about him that spoke to me. I knew he was safe. I’m usually a good judge of character when I first meet people. Usually. Wes had proven me wrong. But fresh start, new beginning, right?

Clearing my throat, I gave it another try. “Hi, I’m looking for Dana Blue.”

He took his long fingers and scratched at his completely messy hair. “Well, I’m Damien Blue and you must be Syd?” He looked puzzled.

I stuck out my manicured hand. “Hi. Yeah, I’m Sydney Summers.”

“Not to be blunt here, but I wasn’t expecting a fucking female. I thought you were a dude?”

“Since we’re being honest here, I wasn’t expecting a fucking male.” Take that. Oh, my God. Clearly, this apartment search had royally fucked up in a huge way. I was expecting a female roommate and he was expecting a male. I would have to call them and get to the bottom of this and to see if they could pair me up with someone else.

He opened the door further and the psycho bitch from earlier stepped out and ran into me, shoving me aside. She didn’t say sorry or excuse me. She wrapped her arms around his neck and jammed her tongue down his throat. “Thanks for today, Damian. Call me when you want to hook up again.” And she turned toward me scowling, dismissing me as she walked on her red sky-high heels down the steps. I was a huge shoe connoisseur, but I would never wear anything that high and lethally dangerous for my health. I would fall and break my flippin’ back.

Damien resumed looking at me. “So now that that little distraction is out of the way let’s resume our conversation.”

Little distraction? More like a psycho on stilts.

“So where were we? To be clear, the name is Damien not Dana. My last name is Blue, and I was expecting a dude named Syd.”

“Well, clearly, they got their wires crossed and made a mistake. I’m indeed a Sydney, as in a female. Let’s move past this. I’ll just leave and go find a hotel to stay at until the Apartment Search people can get this situation sorted.” Hopefully, they would be able to find me something else.

“Nonsense. Let’s try this again.” He stuck out his large hand to me. “For the third time, the name is Damien. I live here and I’m expecting a new roommate. I had thought I was going to have a dude as a roommate, but we can make this work.” His lips upturned, and he gave me a megawatt smile showing off his very white and perfect teeth.

Holy fucking shit.

How was I ever going to live with a guy, not to mention one that was so freaking attractive? I really was rather done with the male species. Let’s be real here—after what I had been through, I didn’t really trust them. The one person I had trusted almost half my life had turned on me, which is how I ended up in a vulnerable situation and facing a roommate that wasn’t a female.

What the hell.

I stuck my hand out once again. “Sydney Summers. It’s a pleasure and I appreciate you letting me stay. Although, once I get settled, I’ll see about finding another roommate.”

“We can make this work as long as you don’t cock block me.” He was serious as a heart attack. What kind of mess have I gotten myself into?

“Well, if you are referring to cock blocking as in you and me, then you need to get your facts straight. I don’t date or do anything else with men, for that matter.”

“Whatever you say, Sweets.”

Sweets?

“The name is Sydney not Sweets.” I deadpanned.

“Well, sweets, are you going to stand there all day or are you going to come in and see your new home?” He waved a hand welcoming me into his, or shall I say our apartment.

I walked in, but then I turned back to him and met his deep black eyes. “The name is
Sydney
.” I gritted threw my teeth.

Holy hell this place was nice and actually immaculate. For a guy, he ran a pretty tight ship when it came to tidiness. He would probably be less than thrilled with me because I was such a slob. But so be it. He wouldn’t be in my room to see what it looked like, and I would do my best to keep our shared living quarters clean.

I took it all in. Beige walls surrounded me. There was a one-butt kitchen, as my aunt Theresa would call it, off to the right with black speckled granite countertops, cherry cabinets, and stainless appliances. It had a breakfast bar with chrome and red padded bar stools pulled up to it. Next to the kitchen was a kitchen table set with four chairs. Connecting to the eating area there was a huge family room. On the wall, facing the entrance into the apartment there was a fireplace and above it had to have been at least a 60” flat screen TV. Placed in front of the TV, there was a black leather sectional couch and a slate tiled coffee table. To the right was another door, which I could only imagine led to the deck that I saw at the front of the apartment when I was walking in.

“Well, I see you are checking it all out. Do you want me to show you your room, and then I can help you get all of your things brought up here?” He turned on the TV and classical musical blasted through the room.

I gave him a funny look because he didn’t fit the classical music type. “You like classical music?”

He winked at me. “I like all sorts of music. I’m actually lead guitarist in a band. I sing as well, but the guitar is what my world is built around. You should come hear us play sometime. We play at some of the different hotels on the strip and bars off the strip, too.”

“Cool, I’ll think about it.” And I would. I loved music. I was a sucker for it. Plus I could only imagine what his voice sounded like. He had such a rich, deep baritone voice. Lead guitarist and vocals. Damn that sounded hot. But I wasn’t going to let myself get carried away with that thought. Men were on the list of no-go for me.

He led me out of the family room and down a hall. We passed a built in desk were he had a very nice desktop computer setup. We came to what appeared to be a long closet door. “Right here’s the laundry.” He swung open the doors and showed me a front loader washer and dryer.

“Nice machines. You’re all about the good shit when it comes to appliances in this place.”

“Thanks. I don’t mess around when it comes to furnishing the house. I work my ass off to have the things I do and having a roommate now will help me stay on top of the bills.” He shut the doors.

We walked further down the hall and approached two doors. He gestured to his left. “This is my room on the left and here is your room on the right. Don’t ever come into my room unless I tell you it’s okay.” He opened the door for me. “Oh, and in front of you is the guest bath.”