Traffic was light—he’d expected as much. He’d driven by the apartment complex on Friday afternoon, horrified that their poor Nevvie lived in such a place. Best to get that shock out of the way so he could keep a straight face when he met the man whose girl they were stealing.
Suitcase City was the common term for an area sandwiched between the University of South Florida and University Square Mall. Run-down, low-rent apartments and high crime. The apartment complex’s better days were at least two decades past, and several junk cars took up parking spots along the cracked and weed-strewn asphalt. More dirt than grass populated the open areas, and paint peeled from the stucco walls in several different colors from the most current—beige—to a plumbago blue and baby poop yellow.
He didn’t tell Thomas. If Thomas knew where she lived he’d insist on talking to her immediately, begging her to leave her boyfriend and live with them. Tyler didn’t know if Nevvie would take that step in such a sudden way.
This called for finesse.
Tyler had planned his arrival for twenty till ten. She might be ready, for all he knew. He expected her to be ready at least fifteen minutes early, eager to leave. Twenty minutes pushed it, but he willingly risked it to possibly speak with Alex for a few minutes, size him up.
Tyler parked in an empty space next to the Escort.
Pitiful.
The Ridgeline was by far the nicest vehicle around.
Nevvie lived in apartment 111. Tyler quickly found it, and Nevvie immediately replied to his knock.
“Hold on!”
Seconds later she opened the door, fully dressed and ready to go. Her welcoming smile couldn’t be denied a reply. Tyler idly wondered what the unshaven, shirtless, surly-looking man standing in the kitchen would think if he kissed Nevvie right in front of him. He looked at least twenty years older than her but it might have been from hard living. Nevvie kept the sparse apartment tidy and clean.
He expected no less from his angel.
“Hi, Tyler.”
“Hello, dear. I’m sorry I’m early,” he lied, “but I wanted to make sure I wasn’t running late.”
“That’s fine. Let me get my purse.”
“You gonna innerduce me?” the Neanderthal grumped.
Nevvie turned bright red. “Tyler Paulson, this is Alex LaRougue.”
Tyler grabbed the bull by the bollocks. He strode over and stuck out his hand. “Nice to finally meet you, sir. We’ve heard a lot about you.”
Both lies, of course. It was neither nice to meet him, nor had they heard a lot about him. Although it was nice to see it wouldn’t be difficult to steal her away.
Alex finally shook and Tyler didn’t give an inch when the man tried to turn it into a pissing contest of strength. Tyler would be damned if he’d flinch.
The Neanderthal finally let go. “Yeah. Ain’t you a writer?”
“That would be me.”
“Have a good day, Nevaeh,” Alex muttered. Her name was beautiful, but the way the caveman said it sounded harsh and ugly.
Nevvie hadn’t budged from the front door. “Yeah. I’ll be back later.” Tyler noted she didn’t say when.
“Thank you for sharing her with us today.” Tyler winked, hoping it would piss Alex off. “We had a bunch of friends over for dinner and a poker game last night. As expected, our home looks like a bomb went off.”
“Sure. Whatever.”
Tyler turned and walked to the door. “Shall we?”
She smiled and followed him. Three steps outside, Tyler placed his hand on the small of her back, carefully timing his steps to match hers, hoping the jerk watched. They’d rounded the corner to the parking lot when Tyler heard him.
“Nevaeh!”
She cringed. Tyler wanted to take her into his arms and hold her.
They turned and watched as the Neanderthal practically jogged across the commons, barefoot and still shirtless.
“What, Alex?” Tyler noticed she didn’t look at her boyfriend. She stared at the ground with her jaw clenched. She didn’t just fear him—she loathed him. She’d made no attempt to kiss him goodbye or pay him any terms of endearment. Her smile had been for Tyler alone.
“I need money. You didn’t leave any.”
She turned bright red again and dug into her purse, practically flinging a twenty at him. “Here, it’s all I’ve got. I gave you the rest yesterday.”
Without another word she turned and headed for the Ridgeline. Tyler followed, unlocking the door and holding it for her. With smug satisfaction, he noted the look of enraged impotence on Alex’s face. Tyler grinned and waved as they drove off.
That’s right, arsehole. Watch the rich queer steal your girlfriend.
“We need to make a couple of quick stops. Bob down to the bakery for some fresh bagels, and our Thomas is feeling less than stellar.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, he imbibed a little too much last night.”
“Poor guy.”
Tyler patted her hand and squeezed it, and didn’t let go. “Don’t worry, my dear. He’ll survive, but he won’t enjoy it for a day or so.”
She squeezed back and hoped he didn’t let go. With Tyler holding her hand she could easily forget how mortified she’d been when Alex followed them. She’d kept the pendant hidden under her shirt so Alex wouldn’t see it. With her right hand, she quickly teased it out from under her collar.
Tyler left his hand where it was. Every signal she sent screamed, “Rescue me!” If she’d let him hold her hand, he’d hold it until hell froze and re-thawed. Their first stop was a drugstore to get a few things for Thomas’ comfort. Their second, the Panera bakery on Bruce B. Downs Boulevard, near the mall.
Nevvie must have thought he’d leave her in the truck. She looked surprised when he opened her door and offered his hand. He held the bakery door open and let her go first, then led her to the short line in front of the counter.
“Are you in the mood for anything special, sweetheart?” He leaned in close, near her ear. She gripped his hand a little tighter. Bingo.
She shook her head. He adored the way her skin flushed, not in embarrassment this time, but the cute pink that colored her cheeks and around her collarbone.
“Anything special?” Yeah, how about you, naked, with a heaping side order of Thomas?
Jesus, this was crazy! How could she feel like this about him? He would never in a million years want her, not with yummalicious Thomas in his bed every night.
And he was gay.
Duh.
She’d glanced at their matching wedding bands many times, wishing she had one from either man.
Hell, she wouldn’t mind both. Her sweet love gods.
Tyler stood behind Nevvie, putting his hand on her waist and standing close. “Did you want coffee or anything?”
Huh? Wake up, stupid! “Sure. Whatever you’re having.”
Tyler rested his chin on her shoulder. “I could make a few jokes about that, love,” he purred.
She looked over her shoulder and studied his playful smile. Sweet Jesus, is he kidding? She didn’t know which was more dangerous—his blue eyes or British accent. He was in a great mood today, even better than usual. Flirtier than usual. Their eyes locked for a moment, making her decidedly damp between the legs. Then he looked away as they stepped forward to place their order.
He moved his hand to get his wallet. Then he returned his hand to her waist and gently guided her to the pick-up counter.
The clerk handed them their coffees. Of course he’d ordered something Nevvie loved. She carefully sipped hers, sneaking looks at Tyler over the lid. Then his eyes met hers again, and for a long, sultry moment he didn’t look away. She sensed he purposely held her gaze.