Heart-On: Turf Wars #2, Bella Jewel [ebook reader screen txt] 📗

until midnight, don’t wait for me. I’m sure Riggs can drop you back here. I’ve changed your dressings, you’ll be okay until I get back.”

“What if I need a fuckin’ shower?”

“I’m sure Riggs has lovely gentle hands.”

He glares at me. “I’m goin’ to get laid tonight, you think I’m goin’ to go to sleep without showering?”

“Tarp up, you’ll be fine.”

His nostrils flare. “What the fuck are you gettin’ paid for then? You’re supposed to be takin’ care of me.”

“You hate me taking care of you. I’m done washing your dirty ass penis after sex anyway. I could catch anything from those girls you sleep with. Get one of them to do it.”

His glare intensifies, and my grin only gets bigger.

“Be home by ten.”

“No,” I say, grabbing my purse and turning toward the door.

“Fuckin’ yes,” he growls after me.

“Get in the car, I have somewhere to be.”

With a muttered curse, he follows me out the door and into the car. I drive him to the garage and drop him off there. It’s late afternoon, and they have business anyway so it’s not like he’s going to get bored. Besides, right now I have the upper hand, and I’m loving it.

“Don’t forget to wash your dick!” I call out of the car window as I drive away.

I’m sure if he could flip me the bird, he would.

I grin the entire way to the restaurant where Daniel is meeting me.

I can’t say I’m super excited about having another date with him but I also felt bad if I didn’t, I mean the man would have felt horrible after our last attempt. Sure, I’m not actually planning on sleeping with him again, but Adan doesn’t know that. I also swore to give nice guys a chance and so that’s what I’m going to do. Best case, we actually learn to like each other and our next attempt is much more successful. Worst case, nothing comes of it but at least I did the right thing.

I get out of my car and walk up to the front of the snazzy little Spanish restaurant and see Daniel standing at the entrance waiting for me. He’s wearing a nice suit, and when his eyes fall on me, they widen. I reach him with a large smile and a hug, and it takes him a minute to gather himself before he tells me how wonderful I look. I don’t miss the slight stutter in his voice when he does. I guess this dress most certainly has the effect I want.

“This place looks wonderful,” I say, as we’re escorted to our seats.

“It’s hard to get into, but my brother-in-law is the chef here so he saved us a table.”

“Oh?” I say looking around. “That’s nice, I’d love to meet him.”

“He’ll show his face, no doubt. Tell me, how have you been? How’s Adan healing?”

“He’s doing fine, his wounds are looking clean and he’s driving me crazy, as always. If he stopped, I’d be worried.”

“It must be hard on a man like him, but he’s got the best nurse for the job.”

Well, I guess you could say that, yeah.

We talk over dinner about family, friends, and everything in between. It’s an easy conversation, but it’s not a soul stirring one. I can’t help but wonder, deep down in my mind, if this is how it’s going to be forever with men like Daniel? Do they have the urge to do dangerous things? To live on the edge? To fight the bad fight as well as the good fight?

I don’t know.

I arrive back at the garage by ten that night, which makes me a little agitated because, well, I needed Adan to at least think I had a good time. Still, I’m happy and that has to count toward my points, right?

I walk into the clubhouse out back and find a party raging. Nothing unusual, these guys are forever partying.

“You’re back!”

Eve’s drunk voice fills the space, and I turn to see her rushing toward me, drink splashing as she does, cheeks rosy and hair a mess. Oh, she’s well and truly drunk. She reaches me, throws her arms around me, spills her drink all over me, and squeals my name.

“Honey, honey, honey, you should be in bed,” I say, pushing her back so I can take a look at her. “How many have you had?”

“Enough,” Riggs says, coming up behind her, hooking his arm around her waist. “She’s goin’ to bed.”

“I’m not ready for bed,” Eve whines. “I’m having so much fun! Ramona is here, look babe, it’s Ramona.”

I giggle. “Oh, boy, you’re going to be sore tomorrow.”

“C’mon,” Riggs grins. “You fuckin’ feral. Let’s get you changed.”

He turns her away and leads her down the hall. I stare at my dress, now soaked in alcohol. I go down the hall, too. I need to use the bathroom in an attempt to try and wipe this off as much as I can. I reach the bathroom and bang on the door, but it’s locked and clearly someone is having a fab time in there by the grunts and groans coming out of it.

“You know there are rooms for sex, people have to pee!” I yell through the door.

I’m about to walk away when the door swings open and I’m faced with Adan and Hera. His pants are unbuttoned and jerked up, barely hanging on his hips. Her panties are missing and she’s got her hands in front of her bits, glaring at Adan for opening the door.

I don’t know what it is, but this tiny part of me, the smallest part, aches when I see the two of them. It’s not jealousy, I’m not jealous. I’d have to like him to be jealous, and I don’t, I do not.

What is it then?

I swallow and glare at him. “I thought you weren’t fucking her?”

When the words leave my mouth, they sound jealous. My god, I sound like a woman scorned, and I absolutely hate that feeling.

“Because,” I go on, trying to save my