Keys
Lex
I clasp my hands in my lap as we make our way out of the underground parking garage and onto the quiet downtown streets. Leaving with Adrian’s teammate? Probably not my best idea. Maybe even stupid. But here we are. Plus, he’s a cop, and he was nice to me. It’s probably okay.
One day, I’m going to get myself killed.
My thighs rub together, pressure there, and my head buzzes from the two drinks I chugged just before leaving in a feeble attempt to calm my nerves. Adrian looked good—too good. That darkness in his eyes did something to me. Maybe I should be afraid. Instead, I just wanted to stoke it, push harder, and see what it would take to make him break.
“Lex?” Calloway calls for my attention.
“Yes,” I reply. I’m not sure what he asked, but the answer is yes tonight.
He laughs heartily and repeats the question I missed.
“Am I taking you home tonight? Saw you with a friend at the game.”
Shit. Rosie. I assumed the older man was a client but completely forgot to check in with her to make sure she was good enough to get home without me. I confirm I’m heading home as I dig into my purse for my phone. Relief washes over me when there is a text from Rosie, letting me know not to wait up.
I fight the urge to ask Calloway about Adrian and instead ask him about hockey. A sport I don’t like or know anything about: the conversation is somewhat forced but pleasant. We’re within a few minutes of my condo when he goes quiet. I shift awkwardly.
Why does silence make my skin itch?
“Why’d you give your tickets away?” He asks.
I hesitate before answering him.
“Well, it didn’t seem wise to use the tickets that mysteriously appeared on my nightstand after my condo was broken into.”
We’ve been driving for about 15 minutes, and the warm, fuzzy feeling from the few drinks I had at the event is subsiding, and my brain is starting to work a little faster.
“Actually,” my tone turns serious. “I find it pretty interesting that my condo was broken into, and a lovely police officer changed my locks without being asked to, and then someone broke in again. Very coincidental, do you think?”
His eyes are fixed on the road ahead, and his jaw tenses, but he doesn’t reply.
Fine, be like that.
I fold my arms across my chest and shift to look out the window, refusing to look at him. Nothing more is said before we arrive out front of my building. I grab my purse, open the door, and climb out before spinning back to him.
“Thanks for everything, Calloway.” My tone delivers the message: I am not grateful. I slam the door with as much force as I can manage.
I make it halfway to the door when I hear his car door slam. Footsteps. Running.
I spin, feigning fear.
Should walk away. I should let this go.
Fuck it.
He slows, his hands coming up.
“Lex, look.”
“Look what, Calloway?”
My volume is probably a little higher than it needs to be. My skin heats with the rush of adrenaline. The last few days have left me ready for a fight. The look on his face suggests he is very nervous — I could do a lot of damage with the information I have. He gave that deviant access to an innocent woman’s home. Okay, maybe I am not all that upset about it. He doesn’t need to know that.
Sighing, he speaks quietly.
“I’ve known Liberty for years.”
“And that gives you the right to give him access to my home?!”
He’s starting to piss me off.
“No. That’s not what I mean.” He scrubs a hand over his jaw, eyes darting away. “I mean—I’ve never seen him like this over anyone.”
I laugh. Really laugh.
“Like this? Obsessed? Stalker? Dangerous? Please explain what this is, in your opinion.”
“I don’t know.”
His shoulders drop slightly, and he looks toward his feet. He looks regretful. A twinge of guilt punches me in the stomach. I’m not actually mad at him, and none of this is his fault. The lock situation is, but Adrian could have gotten in without his help. He did it the night before.
As we stand there in silence, a chill runs up my spine.
Someone is watching us.
I shift my gaze to the left and right but don’t see anyone. I don’t need to see him to know he’s here. Not surprised, even a little. Undoubtedly, he watched me leave with his friend, and whatever semblance of control he held was likely shattered.
Calloway mustn’t notice. If he does, he makes no sign of it. He rocks back and forth on his heels a little. His light eyes rise to meet mine, and he offers a crooked smile and shrugs slightly.
“He won’t hurt you…” He starts, but I stop him.
“I don’t want to talk about him anymore.” I force my tone to be soft. Sultry.
His eyes widen, and he stands up straight.
“Lex…”
I silence him by stepping into him, letting my chest press against his. I almost feel bad for this, too. I’m not interested in this sweet cop who offered to get me out of a tense situation. I’m entirely interested in fucking with his friend, who’s currently lurking in the shadows.
I press a finger to his lips, tilting my head up to him.
“Let’s not talk about anyone.”
Without warning or hesitation, I press my lips onto his. He doesn’t immediately pull back. I will, however, give him credit. He doesn’t return the kiss, so I sling my arms over his shoulders to pull him closer. I feel his shoulders relax a little at the same time he kisses me back, ever so slightly.
I revel in the feeling of triumph that rolls across my skin. The air is charged with something electric, and I don’t need to see him to feel him. Adrian’s rage burns into my back, hot and lethal, like a brand.
Calloway reaches up and grabs my arms gently, pushing me back. His expression looks almost tormented as if it was one of the hardest things he’s had to do in a while. I’m unwilling to give up so quickly, so I try to step forward again.
“No.” He says firmly.
Well, then. I’m not sure how men can ever misinterpret that word. I suspect it has the same effect as being doused in ice water. I take a step back, putting an arm’s length between us.
“I—” I don’t know what to say.
Adrian saw his friend reject me.
My cheeks feel like they’re on fire.
“Lex, I’ve never seen him like this. Anyone else? I wouldn’t stop. He wouldn’t care.”
As he speaks, the hair on my neck stands up. What Calloway was trying to say before sets in.
Never seen him like this.
And I just made a pass at his friend to make him jealous.
“I like my life the way it is. I don’t need Adrian Liberty fucking it up.”
The need to get away from this slams into me, and I start to retreat toward the doors. I need to lock myself inside where I’m safe.
Safe. In the condo, he likely has a fucking key to it.
I swallow hard, hands shaking.
I’m fucked.
“I’m sorry…” I rush out a little louder—more to Adrian than the boy next door-looking man in front of me. “I drank too much. I wasn’t thinking.”
As if that would resolve my sins.
“Be careful.” He warns.
I can’t bring myself to ask him for more details. What should I take care of? My body? My mind? My heart? My soul?
“Careful. Right. I got it. I’m sorry. I gotta—” I turn on my heels and sprint to the door, fumbling for my keys.
“Lex.”
His voice follows me to the door.
“Stay away from hockey players.”
I offer an exaggerated nod. I need to know that both of them know that I understand. I rush to the door, fumbling for my fob. Once inside, I turn and push it closed, ensuring it clicks to engage the security lock.
Before I turn the corner for the elevator, I glance over my shoulder one more time and see what looks like a wall of shadows approaching Calloway, who is smiling broadly, arms out in an exaggerated shrug.