Page 7 of A Ruthless Bargain
“That’s not hyperbolic or anything,” I said with a smile, snagging another chip.
“Oh, it’s totally hyperbolic, but the dude is strong.”
Excitement bloomed that I might find my target. “When do you usually see him?”
Sherry pursed her lips. “I normally go after work, and he seems to arrive as I’m leaving. Nobody ever interacts with him, so I’ve never heard him speak.”
“His voice sounds like he’s eaten gravel.”
“That’s descriptive.”
“It’s true, though. He’s the very definition of a gravelly voice.”
Sherry ate a chip.
“Oh, but wait, so what time do you normally leave the gym?”
“It varies a little, but typically about—” She checked her watch. “—now, actually.”
“Shit, we’re still eating.”
“We can pay the bill and head to the gym together,” she offered.
The alley incident flashed in my mind. “There’s no reason for you to waste your time, too.”
She frowned. “If he’s possibly a threat, you should have backup.”
I held up a hand. “I’m sure he’s just a creep, not a threat.” My pussy throbbed in argument with that vehement statement. I hoped Sherry wouldn’t notice when I shifted to cross my legs.
“What’s your intention?” She used her agreeable voice on me. That meant that she didn’t like my plan, and hoped she could question me out of it.
“I just want to talk to him again.”
“For what purpose?”
My eyes dropped to my drink, and I cradled the glass in my hands. “I’m not sure.” I lifted my gaze to meet her worried one. “There was something… I couldn’t put my finger on.”
“What if something happens?”
Hands against the wall, legs spread, frisked for an object I didn’t possess.“Nothing’s going to happen,” I said in a shaky voice.
“I’m going with you,” she said, as if we settled the matter.
“No.”
Her eyes widened at my simple declarative sentence. “No?”
“No,” I repeated in a softer tone. “I need to do this myself. I’ll be careful. Aren’t I always?” I offered her a lop-sided grin as proof.
She guffawed. “Not at all.” She reached for my hands. “You will check in every thirty minutes until you’re back in your apartment. Or else I call in the cavalry.”
“Yes, ma’am,” I agreed, withdrawing my hands for a jaunty salute.
“Guess I’ll stay and finish the guac.”
“Oh, the hardship.” I glanced one last time at the yummy goodness with a sigh. “I promise I’ll check in.”
“Yes, you will.”