Blaze (Big D Escort Service Book 2) Page 4

  “How’d you get all this stuff back here?” he asked absently while his wheels turned. His current situation, and his recent goals, collided with hers in his mind—and they fit.

  Suddenly, he knew exactly what he needed to do. What would work perfectly for her and him both.

  She would absolutely hate the idea.

  Five

  “Hello? Earth to dumb-dumb?” Janie tilted her head as she watched Dave stare off into nothing. She’d made a steady stream of one-sided conversation while she poured ingredients into the martini shaker, only to realize he’d been off in his own world. “Dave?”

  He jumped on his stool and his gaze found hers, a glimmer of heat in its depths. It was there and then gone. “What’s up?”

  She swallowed down the lingering discomfort of him seeing her work. Especially that one painting. Of herself.

  She should’ve burned that one back in Arizona. It showed a part of herself that she didn’t like exposing. Raw. Without her walls and barricades. Showing her true self for the world to see.

  Truth be told, that was why she’d been slow to do her research. Getting an agent. Trying to land a show at one of the big galleries. She was afraid of those things. But fear couldn’t hold her back anymore. She had to live off something, and art was the only thing she was decent at. If it didn’t work, nothing would. She had to give it a try.

  “Oh, no big deal,” she said. “You asked a question, I answered, and you proceeded to stare at nothing like someone had stolen your brain.”

  “Can’t steal what you didn’t have to begin with.” He grinned, and his deep brown eyes sparkled.

  “Touché.”

  “Sorry.” He wiped his brow. “Where were we?”

  “I was telling you about how I got my stuff back. Creep-o has a private jet, remember? I just shove everything on it. If it was up to him, he’d wrap all the paintings and crate them up and all that. I don’t bother. I’ll probably just paint over them anyway.”

  “Who is this guy?” Dave asked, his voice a little strained for some reason.

  “Hey, are you okay?”

  “Totes.” He gave her a thumbs-up. “Okay, so yes, I am lying. Grown men don’t say totes. But mostly, yes, I am okay. I’ve just never met someone as clearly talented as you are. It is blowing my mind. I can’t stop thinking about that…those paintings.”

  Janie’s face flared with heat. She blew out a breath. “It makes me uncomfortable. Like I told you. Before you stuck your big nose in.”

  “Yes, I see that. Your face is a fantastic shade of I’m going to kill you in your sleep if you don’t shut up. I read you loud and clear, sister.” He shifted on his stool. “Look the other way.”

  “What?”

  “I have to adjust my junk.” He flashed her one of his most charming smiles. It boosted his attractiveness exponentially.

  “Adjust away. I’m not worried about it.”

  “Sounds good.” He reached down. Butterflies filled her stomach as her mind went for a swim in the gutter. “So this guy that hires you is insanely rich, then?”

  “Yes. Insanely. I think he has more than one house. And I’m not certain, but I think I’m not the only artist he has this arrangement with.”

  Dave gasped like an old woman might. “He’s cheating on you, that bastard!”

  She laughed and threw a kitchen towel at him.

  “Why is everyone always throwing towels at me?” He frowned at her, but the twinkle in his eyes was still there. “Does he have art on his walls?”

  “Yes.” She sagged against the counter in envy. “That is a huge perk to a creepy situation. He has art on his walls. Famous shit. The guy is a serious collector.”

  “And he flies you in to paint for him.”

  Her face heated. “Yeah. I’m probably one of the few that will do it, right?”

  “Doubt it. Not for that kind of money. Hell, I’d do it.”

  “Truth?” She met his gaze. “There is a small part of me that puffs up in pride. I mean, he could invite anyone, and he invites me. He pays me. That’s cool. If it weren’t for the creepy factor, my reluctance about people watching me paint, and the whole nude bit, I’d be boasting about it.”

  “You’ve got problems.”

  “Right?” She laughed.

  “Does he have a wife? Or husband?”

  “Neither. That I know of. He seems like a loner. If he is gay, I have no idea why he’d want me nude. That’s the part I can’t figure out.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “But he does. I don’t think he ever looks away, even though sometimes I don’t stop for hours. Maybe he’s bi?” She started to shake the drink, which had sat for much too long.

  “Maybe it has nothing to do with nudity or lust.” His eyes delved into hers. “Maybe he’s attracted to your raw, powerful beauty and never wants to look away.”

  Those butterflies came back with a vengeance, fluttering around her stomach before turning into tingles. She paused in shaking the drink, struck mute. Dave had never spoken to her like this. He’d never shown any interest in her. Every movement, every touch, had been from a place of genuine friendship. She’d always felt that.

  Until now. His eyes shone with heat and something deeper, and she felt electricity sizzle the air between them. Felt her core tighten and heat spread throughout her body.

  “Holy crap, I am probably stressing you out.” Dave bent down and banged his head against the lime-green countertop. The moment passed, and they were back to easy friendship. Strangely, she wasn’t sure if she was relieved or not. “You have thrown me for a loop, lady. Seriously. I feel like you are way out of my social league. I mean…” He straightened so as to give her a more meaningful stare. “You’re going to be rich and famous. All you need is a chance, which you’ll get because I will make sure you do, and you’ll shoot straight to the moon. You’ll laugh when you think back on the hooker you hung out with. I’ll be your version of slumming it.”

  Janie chuckled. She grabbed a couple of tumblers and poured the drink, the clear liquid throwing off the lights from the kitchen. “You talk some shit, do you know that?”

  “Usually, yes.” He ran his fingers through his hair. “Anyway. Let’s get down to the brash tax.”

  “The what?”

  “Brash tax.”

  “Do you mean brass tacks?”

  He shrugged. “Probably. I’m terrible with sayings. And clichés.” He watched as Janie speared an olive with a toothpick. “I’m going to move in. I’ll be your roommate.”

  She started laughing. “No.”

  “No, listen. This makes perfect sense. I’m paying a crapload for a bunch of space I don’t need. I don’t even have furniture to fill it all. Plus, the people around me are judgey. No one needs that. I’ve wanted to downgrade, and this is the perfect chance to do so.”

  “Dave, seriously.” Janie sipped her drink before gesturing around them. “I live in a hovel. It’s tiny. You make too much money for this place. I know you are a helpful sort of person, but I’m not going to sugarcoat it—this is one of your dumber ideas.”

  “If you knew me better, you would know that I’ve had way dumber ideas. This is nothing.” He drummed on the countertop and looked around. “Yeah. This will work. I’ll save a fortune.”

  “No.” Janie shook her head. “The noise from you bringing women back would be horrible. I don’t want to deal with that.”

  “Oh, I don’t bring them to my place. No way. We go to their house if we do the nasty. Or in the car. Or in the woods. But my house is always off-limits.”

  Janie had to squish her legs together to stop the throbbing in her core. She liked getting busy in not-as-usual places. It thrilled her. It made the act more exciting. That he was completely fine with it…

  Made him a dangerous roommate for her.

  “Definitely no.” Janie downed the rest of her drink.

  “What’s the alternative? A loser you don’t know who may or may not pay rent on time? What happens if t
hey don’t and you haven’t found a way to get income yet? Sounds like it’ll be a while before Creepy Rich Guy invites you back.”

  The truth of what he was saying sank in. Her invites were at least a year apart, usually more. And most of the people willing to move into this place wouldn’t be the reliable sort.

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Are you trying to ruin my day with your logic?”

  “Yes. How’s it going?”

  “Well, actually.” She gave him a big sigh. “Fine. But it’s a terrible idea, you’re an idiot, and I want that all entered into the record.”

  His smile lit up the room. “What, again?”

  She laughed and took a sip of her drink.

  “I’ll start moving in tomorrow.” He drummed against the countertop. “This will be great, you’ll see. I’ll be all up in your business. And don’t worry, I don’t pee on the toilet seat.”

  As Janie looked at the handsome man, filled out in all the right ways, she had to own that pee on the toilet seat was the least of her worries.

  Six

  It took Dave a whole day to talk Madison into transferring the lease over to him and Janie. He’d had to convince her that he wasn’t looking to seduce her friend. Which he wasn’t. That was a true statement. His interest in her was one of mutual respect and friendship, like always, teamed with the new desire to learn about the lady hidden beneath the iron walls.

  After that, things moved quickly. He gave his notice at the other apartment and then moved his things (at least everything that would fit) over the weekend. The next Monday, he blinked his eyes open in the morning light cutting across the edge of his bed. The wall opposite him was way closer than he’d gotten used to. As were all the walls. Even the ceiling. It felt like he’d shoved himself into a clown car. But for all that, he felt more comfortable. Go figure.

  He scratched his stomach and made use of the en suite bathroom, which would make things way easier. He could leave the seat up, or stink up the bathroom, without worrying. He knew women were sensitive to those types of things. The only problem was remembering about the toilet seat when he used the main bathroom, which was designated as hers. If she fell in, she might go crazy and stab him. She was surely capable of it.

  Yawning, he adjusted his morning wood and made his way out, seeking out coffee. Janie had one of those timed deals, and she’d actually gone through the hassle of setting it up. That was rock star, right there. He’d never bothered.

  Sure enough, the dark brew was waiting for him in the pot. He filled himself a big mug and dumped in some milk before heading to the couch. He flicked on the TV, only then remembering she didn’t have cable. He’d have to amend that situation later in the day.

  Speaking of the day. He needed to check out his calendar.

  He was on his second cup of coffee and organizing his schedule when Janie wandered out with wild hair and sleepy eyes. Her breasts bounced freely in her loose tank top, perky and just enough for a handful. Her stomach peeked out from between her top and her yoga pants, sporting a four-pack. Lean muscle coated her legs and arms, her body feminine and shapely and fit. It was a yoga or Pilates body, with the added sway of sensual hips belonging to a woman who enjoyed sex.

  His morning wood had long since gone down, but seeing her in her element, sleepy and sexy, he hardened again, filling out his boxer briefs.

  Sweats or pajama bottoms. That was what he needed going forward. Lesson learned.

  Without glancing his way, she trudged into the kitchen. Porcelain clinked, the sound of her taking down a mug.

  “What have you done?” Her voice was deep and low and filled with the horrible intent of violence.

  He jumped up, not able to help a smile despite—or maybe because of—how supremely pissed off she sounded. Nor could he help his hard cock straining against his bright green skivvies. “What?”

  She turned his way and braced her hands on the countertop. Crazy eyes stared him down. Perky breasts came to a bouncing stop. “Why have you done this to me?”

  Chuckling surely wouldn’t help this situation. Nevertheless, it was happening. “What’d I do?”

  She gestured toward the coffee pot, and her breasts gave another small bounce. He had the sudden urge to run a tongue across a taut nipple and hear her purr in delight. “You drank all the coffee and didn’t refill it. Do you want to get kicked out on your first day?”

  He adjusted his cock, since she’d said that was a go in her presence. Her gaze followed the movement. It landed on his package, and then her eyes widened.

  “Jesus…what do you have in there, a toddler?”

  He glanced down at his straining cock. “You just made shit awkward.”

  “I made shit awkward?” She pointed at his crotch. The direct attention made his cock twitch. “You are trying to hide a rocket launcher in your undies, without a towel or clothes or something to cover it up, and I’m making shit awkward? No. That wasn’t me. Do you know what else wasn’t me? The asshole who drank all the coffee. That also wasn’t me.”

  His laughter wasn’t helping her foul mood.

  “I suck,” he said quickly, putting up his hands in surrender. Because yes, he’d left nothing but the dregs and hadn’t even thought of refilling. He had slipped into his normal routine—sans SportsCenter because of the cable issue—and was thinking like he lived alone. “I’m really sorry. I won’t do it again. I’ll accept flogging, should it make you feel better.”

  Spots of colors filled her cheeks. “That would probably make you feel better,” she mumbled before turning away.

  “Sorry again,” he said. He wanted to ask her to make more next time, but thought that might be pushing things. So he just backed out of the room slowly, lest a knife find its way into his back.

  He closed the door to his room and paused for a moment, feeling the rush of desire. Why had he never noticed how incredibly sexy she was?

  The painting flashed through his memory.

  Because he’d been treating her like a victim he wanted to help, and not like a woman. That painting had changed his perception. Flipped it. And now they were sharing a tiny apartment. This might not have been the best idea after all.

  An hour later, he pushed through the doorway of Dick’s gym. Dick himself sat in the captain’s chair, staring at the laptop resting on the counter. Someone must’ve called in sick. A pretty usual situation with low-income employees’ lack of motivation.

  “Hey,” Dave said, coming to a stop at the counter.

  Dick glanced up. His brow lowered and he glanced at his screen. “You’re early for a Monday, right?”

  “Yeah. I have that new roommate, remember? Do you never listen when I talk?”

  “No.”

  “Anyway, I don’t want to crowd her too early.” He leaned on the counter with his elbows. “Do you have any overnighters that need doing?”

  “What are you blowing your money on that you need to get a new roommate and more gigs?” Dick braced his hand on his leg, not doing as Dave had asked.

  “And here we see that you were not kidding. You honestly do not listen when I talk.” Dave drummed his fingers on the counter. “I’ll speak slowly so you get it all. I do not have money problems. I moved in with Madison’s friend to help her out. I’ve got the master bedroom, which is a bit more expensive than Janie’s room, but the rent’s still only a quarter of what I was paying. It’s awesome. But I don’t want to crowd her, so being gone for a couple nights might help ease the transition.”

  Dick stared at him for a moment. “That’s the kid that got beat up, right?”

  “Yeah.”

  Dick grunted and turned back. Dave’s reasoning clearly passed muster.

  When they’d first started BD, Dick had been Dave’s guiding light, ensuring he didn’t blow through the gush of money that had come pouring in. He’d gotten away with the car and new apartment, but Dick had badgered him into pulling back on other frivolous expenses. Though Dave didn’t talk about his childhood much, Dick kn
ew he’d been poor—and knew exactly what a poor kid would do after earning a lot of money, quick. He’d helped him slow his roll. Dave owed a large chunk of his retirement account to Dick.

  “Has Colton mentioned how talented she is?” Dave asked, needing something to talk about and not able to think of anything else.

  “A guy that hooks up with a new chick,” Dick answered dryly, “doesn’t go around telling other guys about that new chick’s friend, no matter how talented.”

  “All you had to do was say no. It would’ve saved us both so much time.”

  “Not asking stupid questions would save even more time. That doesn’t seem to stop you, though.”

  Dave paused as an older guy came through the doors and held out his card for Dick to scan.

  “It got a bit awkward this morning,” Dave said, looking out the window. “That was my bad.”

  “Were you walking around naked?” Dick pounded the keyboard.

  “No. Underwear. But that wasn’t the problem. Okay, it was kind of the problem. She’s hot. I wasn’t expecting it.”

  “Birds of a feather.”

  “Right, yeah. Because of Madison. I just— There was this painting…” He let the words trail away. It would be impossible to explain how that one painting had made him feel. How it had changed his perception of her.

  Well, maybe not impossible, but he’d sound like a douche.

  “Anyway,” Dave went on, dropping it. “She probably needs a second to get used to me. I certainly need a second to get used to her. I’ll take a few all-nighters and hope that clears the air a bit. That and pajama bottoms.”

  Dick snorted and shook his head. “You got rocks for brains, kid.”

  “You’re not helping. All-nighters. Stay focused.”