The Science of Loving (39 page)

“Aren’t you going to get that?” She moved to the other side of the sofa.

“Nope, they’ll call back if it’s important.” Circling, I began listing her positive qualities. “You’re sexy, funny, have great taste in underwear.” She squealed, trying to run as I leapt over the sofa to grapple around her waist. “But sadly, too slow.” I murmured in her ear. I wanted to cry when my phone went off again.

“It must be important…”

“Shit. It’d better be.” I threaten stealing one more kiss. “Hello… Tom… Shit… Okay, I’m on my way.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Brawn vs Bitter

The drive back from Mat’s was office grim. Anger flew off him in waves, his jaw popping as he ground his teeth. The preliminary reports from the forensic accounting firm weren’t good. Not only had Max paid Avery an outrageous salary, but apparently, Avery was racking up charges on a company credit card neither Mat, nor Tom had been aware of. On the up side, although they’d probably never recover the small fortune Avery had already collected, his predictions of financial ruin were greatly exaggerated, and due to his credit card activity, he now faced criminal fraud charges.

I huddled on my side of the car, clawing at the skin on the back of my hand, a nervous habit I’d broken so long ago the scars were barely discernible. I wanted to switch on the radio, anything to fill the angry silence, but I was afraid it might trigger an explosion. A large hand covered mine, and I froze as he squeezed gently then let go.

Soon, too soon, his garage door rattled to a halt, trapping us in darkness. He unbuckled his seatbelt then flooded the cab with light as he got out. I scrambled to follow, only to have the door release yanked from my hands as Mat’s body blocked my escape.

He eased me from the car, drawing me close, shutting the car door with a dull thunk behind me. “Breathe, sweetheart. We’re okay.” His hands warmed my back. The steady thump-thump of his heart marked time. Unfortunately, my stomach chose that moment to growl loudly before petering out into a thin, high-pitched whine.
Crap.

“Okay, I can take a hint.” He chuckled. “Let’s get some grub.”

After a short stroll around the block, I was happily perched on a barstool enjoying my first creamy swallow of Guinness.

“Mmmmm…” The first taste was always the best. I savored the smoky, mildly bitter flavor.

“That good huh?” Humor twinkled in Mat’s eyes, and I shrugged embarrassed, my cheeks burning as I sat between his thighs. He’d pulled our barstools so close, they kissed. When he cocked a thick arm on the bar, I was distracted by his ink as he rested his head on a loose fist. He turned my face back to him with his other hand, my eyes instinctively going to his mouth before glancing into his darkening eyes as his dangerous smile made me blush even harder.

“If you only knew the thoughts that run through my mind when you blush like that.”

“Here ya go, fries and wings.” He leaned back as Shelly shoved red plastic baskets of food between us.

“Eat up sweetheart. Then we’ll see about getting your stuff packed up.”

“You’re serious. You really want me to move in with you.” A bottle of ketchup banged down making me jump, followed by a crumpled pile of napkins.

“What the fuck, Shelly?” Mat glared at the bartender.
Oh God, she was an ex-girlfriend. How many exes would I have to deal with?

“Sorry, it slipped.” Shelly pointed a poisonous smile my direction before stomping off.

“Ummm… Maybe…”

“I know what you’re thinking, and the answer’s no.”

“No, what?”

“No, she’s not an Ex. I come in for a few beers and sometimes we talk. That’s all.”

“Oh… Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Okay.” I nodded, taking a long drink.

“Good.” He exhaled. “Try the wings, they’re great.”

They were great. And when Shelly brought another Guinness, I force the image of her spitting in it from my mind. Dropping the last bone in the basket, I looked at my greasy fingers, dyed slightly orange, and smelling of chicken and Tabasco. Mat caught me as I wobbled off the barstool trying not to touch anything. And the Asian guy sitting at the end of the bar looked up. When he stopped talking, the dark skinned man sitting next to him turned to look. The mixture of anger and pity crossing his face made me nervous, and I didn’t relax until I was on the other side of the closed restroom door.

I didn't know what they put on the wings, but it took three washings to rid myself of most of the smell. I raked through my curls one last time, ignoring the small bruise on my chin. Since last night’s shirt was beyond saving, one of Mat’s soft flannels now hung to my knees; its open collar perfectly framed the choke marks that had deepened into a dark, aubergine necklace overnight—
some super hero; I look like a ten-year-old skateboarding failure: They call me Crash-landing
—there might have been a slight tinge of nervous hysteria in my giggle.

I cracked open the door, hesitating when the black guy looked up meeting my eyes then nudged his friend. Looking beyond them, I started walking, keeping my eyes on Mat. A dark hand reached out to stop me, and I instinctively flinched.

“Easy there, we’re not going to hurt you,” the man said quietly. “That guy you’re with, he do this to you?”

“What?” Then I realized he was asking about my injuries. “No, of course not.” But they didn’t look convinced.

“Hey baby, everything all right?” They bristled, getting to their feet as Mat reached for me, towering over all us. Suddenly, I was caught in a circle of male aggression.

“Everything’s fine.” I smoothed my hands over his chest, his muscles flexing as I gently pushed, hoping he'd take a step back. “They were just worried because of—you know.” I motioned to my neck and face before turning back to my would-be heroes, pushing my back into Mat. I might as well have been pushing against a tree, for all the good it did. “I was attacked last night when I left work; now, everyone thinks I need a body guard.”

“Hey, the guy’s still out there, and I have both your dad’s and your boss’s blessing, so suck it up little girl.”

“I did okay.” I glared up at him, daring him to say otherwise.

“Yeah, you did babe,” he said gently, kissing the top of my head. “You’re hella mean with a tire iron.”

“Tire iron?” the Asian guy asked.

“Yeah, my girl’s a badass.” Mat grinned, putting possessive arms around me. “She had a flat, and some dude made the mistake of attacking her when she had a tire iron in her hand.”
Oh, Good gravy. Stop looking at me—
my cheeks warmed as the three men regarded me.

“Well, I hope they catch the fucker. I’m Darren,” the black guy said. Some of the tension left Mat’s body as he returned to his stool. “And this here’s Tony.”

“Sorry we misjudged you, man.” Tony offered his hand with an embarrassed smile. “I gotta say I’m relieved. You’re a big dude. When you stood up, I about pissed myself.”

“Yeah, I get that a lot.” Mat grinned back. “I’m Mat, and this is my girlfriend, Angie.” Girlfriend. Just hearing him say that made me giddy.
I have a boyfriend! I have a hot boyfriend!

“Hey, Mat,” Shelly interrupted my happy thoughts. “You want another round?”

“No thanks,” Mat said flatly.

Tony’s eyes widen, and I turned to see what was making them pop out of his head. I found Shelly leaning forward with her arms crossed on the bar, pushing her fake boobs up to spill over the top of her tight shirt as she looked at Mat with obvious invitation. When I caught her eye, she boldly perused my battered and baggy appearance.
Oh, I don’t think so
.

“So, honey,” I said, smiling sweetly. “I guess we should get going, got all that packing to do.”

“Yeah, okay baby. Nice meeting you guys.” Mat nodded.

I felt like tool, watching Angie wilt as she moved about stiffly, hanging up her clothes. I knew my earlier morning douchery was responsible for some of her pain “Hey babe, let me do that while you have a soak in the tub.”

“By myself? I’ll drown without my booster seat.”

“Yeah, but right now you’re hurting, and I’m not sure your booster seat can resist misbehaving when you’re all wet and slippery.” I steered her into the bath. “How ‘bout a hot shower-massage.”

While she got naked, I slid out the reclining spa bench from its hidden drawer then eased her down. But I couldn't resist brushing a few light kisses on her skin, as I struggled to keep the anger at the sight of her injuries, from turning into full-blown rage. I stepped out and selected one of the shower’s preset programs. The lights soften, rivulets started dribbling down the walls as the system purged the cold water from its lines before kicking on. Even bruised, Angie was beautiful as steam kissed her supine form, and her troubled eyes glittered darkly under the dimmed lights.

Stowing the rest of Angie’s clothes didn’t take long; she obviously, wasn’t a clotheshorse. I almost missed the last suitcase hiding in the corner—
holy shit! It’s Christmas—
inside was a rainbow colored, treasure trove of silk, lace and shiny satins. I dangled tiny thongs and sexy bras before my wondering eyes, reverently fingering delicate slips of cloth adorned with sweet little bows and flowers. And by the time I’d put away the last pair of slippery stockings, a goofy grin had taken permanent residence on my face. I left a silky, lavender kimono and matching nightie on the bed, hoping she'd take the hint, then went to I make dinner.

I uncorked a bottle of red to breathe then pulled open the refrigerator. My toes were only saved by my quick catlike reflexes when I caught a beer mid swan dive, trapping it against my body. Shit, the fridge’s insides were trashed. Several bottles laid tumbled on their sides, and the edge of one of the shelves was knocked clean off its supports.
Damn…
I felt like a total jerk
—I shouldn’t have been so rough—
but the thought of almost losing her made me go a little crazy.

Well hell. Danny was the only one brave enough or stupid enough to lean on my buzzer like that. After I punched the door release and sent the lift down, I went back to sorting out the fridge. Voices, as in more than one, drifted above the elevator’s hum—s
hit—
I’d better warn Angie; Danny’d brought the whole family.

I returned to the living room mourning the pretty kimono I’d glumly traded for yoga pants and a sweatshirt. It was my own damn fault for getting my hopes up. I should’ve known they’d show up. I was kind of surprised they waited this long.

“So, I take it Angie’s feeling better?” Danny said, staring into the wrecked refrigerator. “You might want to fix that before Jack gets here,” she whispered, bumping me with her shoulder as she joined my folks seated at the bar.
Fuck’em. Yes, I had sex in my kitchen with my woman. Get over it
.

“How is she?” Mom asked while I sorted out the fridge.

“She’s fine
Mami.
Better than fine considering she’s all banged up.” I ignored Danny’s smirk. “I’m the one freaking out. I think she’s kinda proud of herself for fighting back. I’m just glad she knew how to change a tire. The thought of what would’ve happened if she hadn’t had that tire iron in her hand scares the shit out of me.”

Dad nodded. “Yeah, we’re lucky things didn’t go down differently.”

“Jack?” I asked when the door buzzed again.

“Or Les, or Bob.” Danny answered, sending down the elevator.

“What about Les and Bob?” Angie started blushing when she saw me tidying the refrigerator.

Mom sucked in a breath, her eyes getting misty when she got a good look at the damage. “Oh, come here
mija.
”

“I’ll bet the other guy looks worse,” Angie said, grinning. She didn't even flinch when Mom swept her into a bosomy hug while Dad rubbed little circles on her back.

“Good for you,
mija
. When they catch him, I hope they put him away for a long time.”

“Yeah, I hope some hairy prison ape with halitosis and a bad rash makes him his bitch,” Les said as Bob and Jack kept a wary distance. “Hey Rambette.”