Page 5 of Devil In The Details
I don’t know what he thinks I’m perfect for, but whatever it is, I don’t want it. “No.”
“I need a girlfriend.”
My brows slam together. “What-now?”
He shoves his hand into the thick mess of his dark, so dark it’s almost black, hair. “I need a girlfriend.”
I snort. “Okay. You’re Cash Jagger, it can’t be that hard to find a willing one of those. Just…” I flutter my fingers. “Go stand outside and announce it. You’ll have a line of willing hopefuls to audition in about three seconds flat.”
I turn to walk away again when he stops me. Again. “Not a real girlfriend.”
I sigh, my shoulders falling. “Are you drunk? High? Because I’ve just had a very bad night and I’m not in the headspace to deal with all your crazy.”
He doesn’t crack a grin. Just stares at me with those eyes so dark I feel like he’s stripping me down to the very exposed, very naked, very raw soul beneath. “You’re in a bind, I heard.” He touches a hand to his hard jaw, scraping what I’m sure is calloused flesh against coarse stubble. “You need money, and I’ve got it.” My jaw falls open—because,what?“I need a girlfriend. Someone the world and my mates’ thinks is real.” He looks almost pained for a brief moment. It’s there and gone. A snap of emotion from a man who, otherwise, has all that on lockdown. He moves in close again, crowding me as he lowers his voice. “It won’t be real, but no one can know that but us. I’ve been watching you these last few weeks. You don’t sleep around, don’t flirt. You won’t cause drama, so you’re perfect for what I need. I confirmed ittonight, coming on hard and strong. Even being an asshole, so I know you’re not playin’ me. You were, you’d have taken me up on my previous offer.”
“I don’t understand.”
His eyes fall to my mouth when I wet my trembling lips. “You’d move in with me. I’d cover the rent and bills and food. You’d live for free but—you’d play my girlfriend whenever I need you.”
My jaw drops and I hiss, “You want me to move in with you?”
I’m in shock. Maybe I did fall when I tripped over his boot. Maybe I broke more than my nose, and this is a really messed up coma dream.
“Yes.”
“You’re insane.” I shake my head. “No.”
“It’d solve all your troubles,” he says low. “You can focus on your studies.”
“How do you know I’m in school?” I narrow my eyes on him.
“Like I said, been watching you.”
My eyes snap painfully wide and I almost shriek. “Outsidethe club?”
He crowds me again, his body herding me into the wall a second time. My heart flips unsteadily in my chest. My ribs ache with every sharp breath I tug into my lungs. This man is huge. He’s gotta be close to six-foot-four and I’m a pathetic five-foot-two. Not only is he tall, but he’s wide. Really wide andreally built. He could crush me like a bug into this wall and no one would know.
Would anyone in this cruel city even care?
“Keep your voice down,” he warns on a rough growl. “This stays between us.”
“There isnothingbetween us. I’m not interested.”
“You makin’ your rent this month?” He challenges. “How long’ll it be, before you’re sleeping on the street? Winter’s coming. Days are getting shorter. Nights colder.” He dips his face closer, his voice cold and mean. “That what you want, Kitten?”
My stomach clenches. “I’ll find another job.”
“Addy’s right. You’re a shit waitress.” He proves he heard everything, and I deflate. “Won’t find another job with tips, tell you that much.” His eyes roam down to my chest, and he says, “Unless you plan on stripping. Got the body for that.”
“You’re an asshole.”
“I’m a realist, baby. And this world is cold and harsh. Best learn that fast, you wanna keep breathing.”
Why did I think I could do this? Move from the safe little home I shared in the safe little town with my father, to this big, cold city? Why did I think going to a top university to bust my ass for an editorial degree would be something I’d be capable of doing alone?
Emotion stings my nose and I sniff, showing my weakness and hating myself for it. “I hate you right now.”
“Yeah. Join the club.”