Trust Duet Series

"Thanks, Cade." Rusty reached over the bar and punched Cade in the shoulder. "I was having an enjoyable conversation until you scared the lady." Cade chuckled, patting the counter as he took a step back. "Wish I could give you a better welcome back, but we had another call-off. Beer's on the house though." Rusty gestured toward my barely mojito. "Then, how about you throw in a fresh drink for Loner, too?" "I..." My face heated as both sets of eyes fell on me again. "Fine, if it's on the house." Cade grinned as he took my glass and dumped the contents, but Rusty caught my attention again. "So, you wouldn't agree to a drink if I bought it?" "Nope." Oh, I probably would have. There was something about him that had me struggling not to grin like an idiot. He made a sound in his throat and turned back to the game. "I see how it is."He pretended to be offended, but the edge of his eyes pinched with the hint of a smile that curled his lips. Typically, I would have been relieved to let

I closed my eyes, trying to slow my heart. It pounded so hard against the walls of my chest I wondered if he could feel it, but each deep breath brought in the cooling fall air mixed with the mossy scent of his cologne. The part of my brain that usually lectured me or relentlessly presented a slew of horrific outcomes had hushed to a whisper. Even without knowing his real name or where he came from, my body had no desire to pull away from him.I needed this, whatever this was. A distraction. A delusion. It may not go beyond a cab ride - and I assured my inner cynic it wouldn't - but for one night, I was determined to take a chance and have a little fun.Rusty's warm hands closed around my arms, pulling me against him. As I let my head loll against his shoulder, I realized that although the sidewalk was quieter than the bar, it was still alive with nightlife. Cars passing by, groups of people chatting and laughing on the corner, but as his breath tickled against the top of my head, all

I waved as the last of my students joined Mrs. Phillips and the other third graders in the hallway and headed toward the gymnasium to wait for their busses. Then, I slumped back in my chair, drained. I loved teaching, but this was one of those days that tested every shred of my sanity. Maybe it was the changing weather or the arrival of October and Halloween season, but it seemed like most of my kids had already been dipping into their parent's trick-or-treat supply before school. And I couldn't say anything because my attention span hadn't been much longer than theirs. I hadn't slept well since Friday night. Hell, I hadn't accomplished much since Friday night because my brain was stuck in a feedback loop with no end in sight. I was thankful that the final Wednesday afternoon bell meant we were more than halfway to the weekend, but my exhaustion had already hit Friday levels. And like those students heading to the gymnasium, I still had to wait for my ride. Since my car had crapped

"You sure you don't need a ride?" he asked, pointing up to the sky. "Looks like the rain is about to hit." Somehow he'd become even more tempting. "Ollie should be here soon." I riffled around through my bag, pushing the novel aside to find my phone. Anything to occupy myself while he headed across the parking lot. Even after spending the last few minutes trying to push him away, watching him walk away felt like defeat.I took a seat on the front stoop and gave the home screen on my phone the stare down. Oliver was already fifteen minutes late when Mrs. Cook strolled out with a handful of books and papers, almost dropping half the stack when the door swung closed against her arm. I jumped up to help, pushing the door open and allowing her to balance the load."Thanks," she sighed. "What a week...""No kidding," I mumbled. I had no clue what she was talking about, but I could relate to the what seemed like a universal sentiment that week. "I can help you to your car, if you want. I'm

By the time I returned from dropping Charlie off with my parents, Cade's black BMW 6-series was waiting in front of my house. He stood against the fender, hands tucked into the front pockets of his jeans. I'd hoped to catch a few minutes before he showed up. My neck and back were killing me, and he'd notice the tension immediately. I already knew what he'd suggest in the form of stress relief, and I'd been avoiding that conversation since I came back.Hell, I'd been avoiding that conversation for a year. According to Cade, Club Obsidian was a miracle cure for just about anything, and in the past, I would have agreed. But now, the thought of returning to the club only added another layer of complication to my stress.Charlie. Mom. Lena. There she was again. A woman who had no real place in my life and yet I couldn't shake her. I parked next to his car and banged my head against the back of the seat as I jerked up the parking brake. Cade lifted his head and straightened while I slid