Unsuitable (18 page)

I haven’t seen Kas since he walked away from me yesterday.

After I came in the house with Cooper, after disastrously accepting his offer to go for a drink, we were in the kitchen, and I heard the front door slam loudly. Then, Kas’s car revved loudly before pulling away.

He didn’t come home for the rest of the day. And he wasn’t at the house at all yesterday or today.

I don’t know where he’s been. But I do know for sure that he’s avoiding me.

I know this because his bed was clearly slept in for both nights. I had the pleasure of making them both mornings.

Obviously, he got up early and left before I arrived for work, and he stayed out until I was gone.

At first, I was relieved because it saved me from an awkward conversation. But, once the relief was gone, absence started to hurt. And all it served to do was remind me of why he’d stopped kissing me in the first place.

And this going out for drinks with Cooper is stupid. I’ve got enough problems with one guy at work without mixing myself up with another.

“I’m going to cancel on Cooper,” I say decisively, making a grab for my phone, which is sitting on the dressing table where I’m seated.

“Don’t you bloody dare, Daisy May Smith.”

My hand stops over the phone, my fingers curled around it.

“Hand off the phone, Mayday.” There’s a no-brokering tone to her voice.

Giving her the stink eye, I slowly lift my hand off the phone.

“No, you listen to me. Above anyone, you deserve a night out. After everything you’ve been through, you’re owed a night out with a good guy who’s also hot. And Australian. So, you know, accent.” She grins.

“Granted, I’ll give you the accent. But I said good-looking. Not hot.”

“Same thing.”

“Jason was hot.”

She frowns at me.

“And I thought he was a good guy,” I continue. “Look where that got me.”

Her scowl quickly softens. “Jason is a plague on society. A waste of perfectly good air. I hate that scum and will wish him well in hell when I send him there. But he’s not all men, babe. I don’t want what happened with that wankstain to sour you on all men. And I’m not suggesting that you have to have a relationship with Cooper or even trust him right away. But I just want you to go out and have some fun. Let someone wine and dine you—or, in this case, just wine you. You deserve it, Dais.”

“I know.” I sigh. “But it just feels wrong.”

“Because of Kas?”

Cece knows everything that has happened between Kas and me. I’ve kept her up to speed on all current events in my life. I mean, she’s my best friend. I tell her everything.

Funny thing is, when I told her that Kas and I kissed, she didn’t seem at all surprised.

When I asked her why, she said—and I quote
—
“I’m not surprised because I’ve never seen you so riled up over a guy before, so it was obvious that you fancied him. And, well, you’re
you
. So, of course, he was gonna want to bone you.”

So, apparently, I’m obvious and boneable.

Just not boneable to Kas.

I’m beneath him. And not in a good way.

Sigh.

“Yeah. I mean, we kissed, and then I immediately said yes to going out with Cooper. It just feels wrong.”

“Kas blew you off. Sorry,” she adds at my wince. “But he acted like an arsehole. You don’t owe him a thing. And you definitely don’t have anything to feel weird about.”

“I know you’re right, but I still feel weird. And I know he’s avoiding me.” My shoulders slump.

She puts the curling iron down on the dressing table and rests her hands on my shoulders, giving them a gentle squeeze. “Babe, if Kas can’t see what he’d be getting in you, then he’s a dick. A massive dick.” She sizes her hands out before landing them back on my shoulders. “You’re awesome, Mayday. Funny and smart and beautiful.”

“And an ex-con.”

“Hush.” She frowns at me. “You’re gorgeous, and obviously, Cooper thinks so because he asked you out. And tonight is just drinks with a good-looking, nice guy. It doesn’t have to be anything more. But you will go tonight, looking your absolute best because I’m awesome at hair, and I’m an awesome friend.” She gives me a grin and fluffs my hair with her hand.

Staring gratefully at her in the mirror, I reach back and take ahold of her hand, giving it a squeeze. “You are awesome, Ce. You’re the best.”

“I know.” She grins again. Then, she picks up the curling iron and wraps another section of my hair around it.

My phone starts to ring on my dressing table. I glance at the display and see that it’s Cooper.

My stomach tightens with nerves.

“Hey,” I answer. “I’m just getting ready. I shouldn’t be much longer.”

“Daisy”—he sounds flustered and a little out of breath—“I am so sorry to do this to you at the last minute, but I’m going to have to cancel our night out.”

A huge amount of relief and also a little disappointment run through me at the same time. “It’s okay. Don’t worry.”

“No, it’s not okay.” His tone is frustrated. “I was really looking forward to tonight with you, but now, I’m in my car, on my way back to work. Somehow, all the horses got out and are running amok around the estate.” He sighs loudly. “I’m gonna have to round them up and then fix wherever they got through in the fence. It’s gonna take all bloody night.”

“Do you want me to come help?”

“Don’t worry.” His tone softens. “But thank you for offering.” There’s a brief pause before he says, “Rain check for tomorrow night? Same time?”

This is my out. I can say no…but I feel bad because the guy seems to really want to go out for a drink with me. So, I hear myself saying, “Sure.”

“Great.” I can practically hear his smile down the phone. “So, I guess I’ll see you tomorrow.”

“See you then.”

I hang the phone up with Cooper and put it back down on the dressing table.

“That was Cooper. He had to cancel, so I’m not going out tonight after all.”

“Bastard,” she says in a mock-angry voice.

“You heard the whole conversation?”

“Yeah, sorry. I didn’t mean to listen in, but it was kinda hard not to hear. But he asked you out again for tomorrow night, right?”

I give her a sly smile. “You know he did. And you also know that I said yes.”

Grinning, she says, “Attagirl.” Then, she winds another section of my hair around the curling iron. “And screw not going out tonight. We’re having a girls’ night out. It’s been way too long since you and I hit up the town. So, I’ll finish up doing your hair, then give me half an hour to put my face on, and we’ll go out. We can go to this new club in town. What do you say?”

A night out on the town with my girl…sounds perfect.

I smile at her in the mirror. “I say…hell yeah.”

Tw
enty-Two

Zayn’s “Like I Would” is pumping through the club. I have a drink in my hand. And I’m totally feeling out of my element.

I’ve never really been a party girl. Having a younger brother to care for meant nights out were a rarity for me.

Honestly, I’m kind of ready to go home. My feet ache, and I’m tired. Plus, I’ve got work in the morning. But Cece’s enjoying herself, and I don’t want to be a party pooper.

We went to a few bars before coming to this club, which I’ve totally forgotten the name of.

Cece’s just at the bar, getting more drinks. I tip my head back, checking on her, and see she’s chatting with some guy who’s in line next to her.

He looks cute.

I finish the last of my drink and put the glass down on a nearby table.

Then, I get this weird prickly feeling on the back of my neck, like someone’s watching me. It’s been happening to me all night.

I spin my head around, looking, but I can’t spot anything—or should I say,
anyone
watching me. Not that I could tell in this place anyway. It’s packed. I rub a hand over the back of my neck, easing the sensation away.

Honestly, I’m starting to think I’m going mad.

I glance back at Cece. She looks to be in deep conversation with the cute guy.

Deciding I need the toilet, I catch her eye and mouth,
Restroom
break
, to her.

She points to the floor, telling me she’ll be there when I get back.

I give her a thumbs-up and then head in the direction of the ladies’ toilets.

I make my way through the throng of people and head down the corridor to the restroom. The sign at the end of the hallway points an arrow to the left for men and right for women and disabled.

It’s kind of eerie here. The lighting is shitty, and the bass is thumping off the walls, making it feel like a scene out of a Z-list horror movie.

Reaching the end of the hall, I turn right, and my steps falter as my heart picks up pace.

Kas.

He’s standing near the disabled restroom, his shoulder leaning up against the wall.

He’s wearing blue jeans and a white shirt. His shirtsleeves are rolled up, showing his gorgeous forearms—I might have a thing with his arms—and his hair is loose and tucked behind his ears.

He looks amazing.

But, whatever, I don’t care.

What I do care about is what he’s doing here.

“What are you doing here?” I echo my thoughts.

He pushes off the wall, so he’s standing upright. “Hello to you, too.”

I give him a look. “Hello. Now, what are you doing here?”

He tilts his head to the side. “I needed to use the restroom.”

“I meant, the club. But, whatever, the men’s room is back that way.” I thumb in the direction of it.

A smile tips the corners of his lips up. He folds his arms around his chest. The fabric of his shirt tightens around his biceps, and the veins in his forearms are visible…and looking very lickable.

But I don’t care.

Yeah, sure, you don’t, Daisy
.

“Where’s your date?” he asks.

I have a sudden flash of guilt, my heart jumping, but suspicion quickly takes over.

I narrow my gaze on him. “How did you know I had a date tonight?”

He shrugs those amazing shoulders of his. “I’m the boss. I hear things.”

“Well then, you should know that my date was canceled because
your
horses got loose, and my date had to go round them all up.”

“Yeah. Shame that.”

Mother…effer.

“You sound real cut up about it.”

The corners of his lips lift, as does his shoulder.

My eyes narrow further. “It was you, wasn’t it? You let the horses out.” It’s not a question. I know he did. I can see it in his eyes.

Bastard
.

He gives me an affronted look, but that bastard smile is still on his lips. “And why in the world would I have done that?”

“Who knows?” I throw my hands up. “To ruin my night? To piss me off? Who knows why you do the stuff you do? Probably because you get off on making my life miserable.”

Or he was jealous.

Over me?

Not likely.

I let that thought flitter away into the darkness.

He stares at me for a long moment before saying in a low, throaty voice, “Trust me, Daisy, when I say that what gets me off definitely isn’t making you miserable.”

Oh…wow.

But I don’t let his words affect me. I keep my expression fixed and my anger flowing. “No? So, you just like to make me miserable for fun then.”

Something changes in his expression, and his eyes drift away from me. “Do I really make you miserable?” His voice is uncharacteristically quiet.

I tighten my arms around myself. “Maybe not miserable…but I wouldn’t exactly say that you brighten my day either.”

Well, apart from when you were kissing me. But then you went and ruined that.

He shifts on his feet. “I don’t mean to be an arsehole to you.” His eyes come back to mine, and there’s something earnest about his expression.

“So then, don’t be,” I say softly.

He sighs, his eyes lifting to the ceiling. “It’s not that easy.”

“It’s as easy or as hard as you make it.”

His eyes flash back down to mine. “You make it hard.”

Fire ignites in my belly. “You know what? Fuck you, Kastor Matis!” The words are out before I can stop them.

“Did you just say that you wanted to fuck me?”

My eyes slice to his. His face is serious, but there’s a twinkle in his eyes.

The bastard is making fun of me.

“No.” I grit my teeth. “You know exactly what I meant.” I drop my arms, putting my hands on my hips. I let out a sound of exasperation. “God, can you just stop being such a twat?”

There’s a moment of silence.

Then, in a deadly serious voice, he asks, “Did you just call me a…twat?”

My heart bangs hard against my rib cage. Then, I steel my spine. Defiantly tipping my chin up, I say, “Yes, I did. Because you are acting like a twat.”

He stares at me for the longest time. His face is perfectly blank.

Then, I see his lips twitch, and he bursts into laughter.

Full-on belly laughter.

I’ve heard Kas laugh before but nothing like this. It’s a beautiful, infectious sound. Before I know it, I’m laughing, too, and it feels good.

“I can’t believe you called me a twat,” he says between laughs.

“Well, you deserved it.” I chuckle.

He wipes his eyes. “Yeah, you’re right; I did.”

Our laughter has ceased, and now, we’re just staring at each other. Eyes caught on eyes.

Something changes in the air between us. It’s like the laughter cleared the anger away, and all that’s left behind is pure chemistry and heat. And it seems to be strengthening in its intensity with each passing second, drawing me to him.

My pulse starts to beat in my ears. My skin is tingling. My stomach is coiling and tightening.

Kas’s gaze slides down from my eyes to my mouth.

I lick my lips, like an automatic response.

I watch as his eyes heat and flare.

My whole body sets ablaze under his hot stare. If I were ice cream, I’d be melting right now.

Jesus Christ, stop being such a girl, Daisy.

I wrap my arms around my chest. The movement seems to bring him back to the now.

He drops his arms and slides his hands into his front jeans pockets.