All the Pretty Girls Page 7

  I put my phone in my purse and headed to my door. How had I been so stupid?

  “Hey.”

  The voice behind me had me nearly jumping out of my skin. I dropped my keys and spun around so quickly I banged my hip on the door handle.

  “Damn!”

  “Shit, Meadow. I’m sorry I scared you. I thought you heard me,” Nick said, and picked up my keys holding them out for me to take.

  I hadn’t heard him approach, I was too busy thinking about what a dumbass I was thinking that a man as good looking as Nick would ask me out, even as filler, I wasn’t good enough for him.

  “What was that?” he asked.

  “What?” I looked around and didn’t see anything out of the ordinary.

  “That look. What were you thinking about? You went from being scared to sad,” he told me.

  “I did? I didn’t mean to.” I busied myself unlocking the door. “Come in,” I offered and stepped to the side to allow him entry.

  My apartment was small, but it had everything I needed to be comfortable. Well, most of the time. Except when I had nightmares, then it felt too small. A bonus was it was within walking distance to Sam’s and a grocery store. I bet Nick lived in a nice place, with a big yard, in an upscale neighborhood, with beautiful people who walked their dogs on Sunday morning. They probably had beautiful people block parties in the summer too.

  “Are you sure you’re okay? If you don’t feel like going out, we can grab take-out and stay here or go to my place.”

  The backtracking has begun. He finally realized what it would mean going out in public with me.

  “I’m okay but staying in is fine. It’s probably easier any way.”

  “Easier?” Geeze. Did I really need to spell it out for him? “I don’t understand.”

  Apparently, I did.

  “Listen. It was really nice of you to want to check on me. I promise I’m not going to have some weird mental break and freak out. You don’t have to do this.”

  “Have to do what, Meadow?” he growled. Was he mad? He sounded mad, and now I didn’t understand. Why was he upset? “And why would staying in be easier?”

  “Really? Seriously? You want me to explain?”

  “Yeah, Red, seriously.”

  “Do you not see the huge, gigantic scar on my face?” I unnecessarily pointed to it.

  “Yeah. I see it. What about it?”

  “What about it? You cannot be that dense. You’re a smart man. What do you think happens when I go in public? I can’t hide it. People look, and stare, and sometimes point and say shit. Everyone will see you with me and wonder what the hell the hot guy is going with the ugly chick.”

  Shit. I hadn’t meant to say the last part.

  Nick ate up the distance in three angry strides and cupped my face in his large hands, effectively rendering me speechless. No one had ever touched my scar and Nick had done it twice now. Well, the doctor had, but he didn’t count.

  “Meadow, not one single person better point, stare or say shit to you when we are out together, or I’ll lose my shield in a quick-hot-minute when I shove my foot up their ass. Anyone who sees the two of us together and doesn’t wonder what such a beautiful, brave, smart woman is doing with the likes of me is a dumbass. Straight up Red, you need to stop filling your pretty head with bullshit. Do you think I care what other people think? Fuck no I don’t. I care what you think. And this…” He paused and ran his thumb across my scar, “means you’re alive. It takes nothing away from how beautiful you are. Your beauty shines from the inside out; scar be damned.”

  If he hadn’t been holding me up, I would’ve fallen to the floor.

  “Why are you really here?”

  I held my breath and waited for his answer.

  “Because I want to get to know you better?”

  “Why?” I asked.

  “Why? Do I need a reason?” I nodded my head and he continued. “Because I’m attracted to you and not just physically. But that’s not to say I’m not using every ounce of willpower right now not to kiss you. I’ve watched you for years like some weirdo in the coffee shop, hoping that you’d give some indication you’d welcome conversation. But you haven’t. And while the situation that brought me to you is fucked up, I’m not stupid, and I’m taking my shot.”

  Wow. He’d watched me too.

  “Say something Red. Have I freaked you out?”

  “Is this a date?” I blurted out.

  “Yeah. It is.”

  “I haven’t been on a date since before. No one has wanted to date me.” Damn. Now I was making myself sound pathetic. Not that I wasn’t, but I didn’t want him to know just how pitiful my life was.

  “You’re wrong. Men take one look at you and know they’re gonna get shot down, so they don’t approach. You have a wall built around you that is a mile high and just as thick. I’m not complaining. I’m pleased as hell no one has been smart enough to saddle up with a jack hammer and break through. But it has nothing to do with a scar and everything to do with you screaming stay away. Whether you mean to or not, it’s there. Just to be clear, Red, I have every intention of breaking through.”

  “You can kiss me.” What in the ever-loving hell possessed me to tell him that? I think I was having an out-of-body experience. So, I told him just that. “I must be in some alternate universe or still under hypnosis because I think I may be floating right now. Are you real?”

  “Yeah, baby, I’m real. And as much as I’d love to kiss you, we’re gonna take this slow. I have a feeling that once I taste your sweet mouth, I won’t ever get enough.”

  “Wow.”

  He leaned down and closed the distance between our lips and gently brushed his against mine. The contact was soft and brief, and after the touch I didn’t want slow. I want now and fast.

  “You kissed me,” I breathed.

  “Red, if you think that was a kiss, I hate to say it, but you’ve been doing it wrong,” he laughed. “Sally’s still in the car. Is it cool if I bring her in?”

  “Shit, Nick. Why did you leave her in your car? Go get her.” I pulled back and gave his chest a shove. He didn’t move, he just stood there and smiled at me. “Are you wearing one of those bulletproof vests?” I asked.

  “No. Why?”

  “That’s all you?” His chest felt like it was lined with steel.

  “All me,” he confirmed.

  Damn!

  “I’m gonna go get Sally before I forget we’re taking this slow and throw you on your couch.”

  He left.

  I paced.

  By the time he got back, I still hadn’t had enough time to wrangle my newly-awakened sex drive under control.

  “Hey, sweet girl.” I knelt to greet Sally. “Why isn’t she coming to me?”

  “I haven’t given her the command yet,” he explained.

  “Oh. Well, can you? Her tail is wagging so fast I’m afraid she’ll take flight.”

  With a flick of Nick’s wrist, Sally barreled toward me and stopped just shy of knocking me over, waiting for me to give her love.

  “How ‘bout we order a pizza and stay in,” I suggested.

  “Meadow,” he warned.

  “Because of Sally. Unless she can come in a restaurant with us. I don’t want her to have to wait in the car. I wouldn’t enjoy my meal worrying about her.”

  “Is that the only reason?”

  “Yes. Promise.”

  I didn’t even have to think about my answer, it came immediately, and it was the God’s honest truth. For the first time in five years, I wanted to stay home not because of my scar but because I wanted Nick and Sally all to myself.

  “Sounds good. Mind if I change out of my work clothes? All I have is my gym bag, so I’ll be grungy.”

  Nick in workout clothes? Yes, please!

  “Fine by me.”

  Nick shook his head and smiled. I wondered if he could read my thoughts? He seemed to be awfully proficient at reading people’s facial expressions.

&nbs
p; “Sally. Stay.”

  Sally and I stayed. Sally, for her part, sat and watched her owner walk out the door. I did almost the same thing; only I was watching his rear end.

  Chapter 13

  The missing piece

  When we catch the bitch that had attacked Meadow, I hoped she got the needle. Thankfully, Virginia had one of the shortest times between sentencing and being put to death. No woman should ever be worried about the things Meadow was afraid of. I hoped like hell she was exaggerating about people pointing and commenting on her scar, but I didn’t think she was. Some people were insensitive assholes. I saw it when I was a kid and a friend of my uncle’s came to visit. He’d been medically discharged from the Army when he lost his leg in Iraq. People wouldn’t stop staring. My uncle Nolan was so pissed, but Tony stopped him from saying something to a group of women who were being particularly rude. He told Nolan he was proud of his hardware. He’d given a part of his body willingly, and no group of hags would make him feel less proud of his sacrifice.

  Maybe one day Meadow would come to understand the mark left on her face was a testament to her strength. She had lived. While her and Tony’s situations were vastly different, they both endured public ridicule. Tony had embraced it. Meadow was still rejecting the idea she was still beautiful. It would be a long road, but I was looking forward to convincing her otherwise.

  After I’d changed into my track pants and sweatshirt, I realized my mistake. The thin athletic pants did nothing to hide my hard-on. Not that my slacks did much better, but at least the material was a tad thicker. I’d been trying the last thirty minutes to will my dick into submission, but it wasn’t listening. Not when Meadow was in a pair of yoga pants sitting on the floor rolling around with Sally.

  There was nothing particularly sexy about Meadow roughhousing with the dog, but she was smiling, happy, laughing. And that just might’ve been the sexiest thing I’d ever seen. She was bright and carefree; it was a pleasure to watch. The sight pulled at my heart. I didn’t think Meadow allowed herself to be happy often. She kept herself apart, locked away. Goddamn, the thought killed me. At a time in her life where she should be going out with her friends, living life, she was holed up in her apartment – alone.

  There was never a week that passed when I didn’t think about my family back in Georgia. I missed them, even after all these years. I wished I lived closer, but never more than in this moment. My family would take one look at Meadow, feel her struggle, and pull her into the fold. They’d wrap her up so tight she’d know nothing but love. I wanted that for her, which was crazy because I barely knew the woman. But after the small amount of time I’d spent with her, I knew I wanted to know more. I wanted to know everything about Meadow. I wanted her secrets, her desires, all her fantasies, and most of all I wanted her pain. I wanted to be the one that carried the load and shouldered the burden so she could live easy. I wanted all of that, and I planned to work my ass off to get it – by any means necessary.

  There was a knock on the door, and two things happened at once. One I was thrilled to see, the other had me red-hot pissed. All the happiness drained from Meadow’s face, and she froze, shrinking back into herself. At that, Sally immediately stopped playing and sat herself in front of Meadow, ears up and on watch. Any reservations I’d had about Sally being a protective guard dog flew out the window.

  I told Sally to stay, grabbed my wallet, and went to answer the door. Thinking it was the pizza delivery, I was shocked when I opened the door, and a woman was standing there.

  “Oh. I’m sorry, I was looking for Meadow Holiday. I must have the wrong address,” she said.

  “Beth?” Meadow said from behind me.

  “Hi Meadow. I’m sorry to bother you. I didn’t realize you had your boyfriend over.”

  There was something about the way the woman said boyfriend that pissed me off. It was patronizing and meant to hurt Meadow. What a bitch.

  “Anyway,” the woman went on, “I was stopping by to apologize. But I don’t want to interrupt.”

  “Oh, he’s not…” Meadow started.

  “Nick Clark.” I held out my hand. “The boyfriend.”

  “I didn’t realize you’d started dating again. I mean after you got that… you know… on your face, I assumed you’d sworn off men. I guess I’m just surprised. It’s been like forever ago, and you’ve never talked about going on a date.”

  There was a low, menacing growl from Sally. I looked back to see she’d once again placed herself in front of Meadow. The hair on her back was standing at attention, and her head was low, ears pinned down.

  “Easy,” I told Sally and gestured for her to sit. She did as she was told and sat on Meadow’s feet, not moving a fraction of an inch from her.

  Good girl.

  Meadow had absentmindedly reached for Sally; her hand went to her head, and she was petting her. Whether she reached for the dog needing to ease some of her own discomfort or she was doing it to settle Sally I wasn’t sure, but Sally was perfect for Meadow.

  “I don’t wanna be a dick here, but Meadow and I are in the middle of something. Is this something you can talk about later?” I asked.

  “Oh sure. I wouldn’t have come over if I’d known. I’m sorry I’m so shocked. But look at you and look…”

  “I wouldn’t finish that sentence,” I warned.

  “Well. I’m just being honest. That thing on her…”

  “Honest to God! Are you standing here on my woman’s front porch insulting her? Holy shit lady, you’re fucked. Maybe you should be more concerned about your manners and less concerned about who Meadow is dating. Not only is she ten times better looking than you, but she’s got a hundred times more class. And that is part of what makes her so beautiful. So, unless you got another apology to hand out for being a rude bitch, I’d suggest you get gone.”

  “I’ll just talk to you at the office.” Beth turned to leave and bumped into the pizza boy, knocking the box in his arms making him stumble back before he regained his footing, saving the pizza. “Clumsy idiot. Watch where you’re going.”

  What the fuck?

  “She’s not worth it.” In my anger, I’d missed Meadow coming up beside me. She reached down and grabbed my hand, giving it a firm squeeze. Her touch did wonders to ease some of my anger, but I was still pissed.

  Meadow and I would be having a conversation about what not worth it meant. No one had the right to speak to her the way Beth had. But first I had to get our pizza and settle Sally down. I’d never heard her growl at anyone before. Animals had good instincts. Sally not liking her only further solidified my dislike of the bitch Beth.

  “Pretty dog. Is he friendly?” the pizza guy asked.

  “Her,” Meadow corrected. “Yes, she’s normally friendly. Unless you’re a rude bitch apparently.”

  I was happy to see Meadow’s smile was back, obviously pleased that Sally had growled and protected her against Beth’s insults. That kind of pissed me off as well. Not that Sally did it, but that Meadow was genuinely pleased a dog had stood up for her. Fuck. She had no one to make her feel safe and cared for. No one to cushion the blow and take her back when the world was crashing around her. I hated that for her.

  I paid for the pizza and shut the door. “Who was that?”

  Meadow didn’t answer. Instead, she went into the kitchen and started opening cabinets, getting plates and glasses out, setting them on the counter.

  “Meadow?”

  “I work with her,” Meadow sighed. “She’s a miserable human whose sole purpose in life is to be mean to people.”

  “She always that rude to you?”

  “That wasn’t rude. That was mild compared to how she behaves in the office.”

  “You’re shitting me?” I asked, and Meadow shook her head. “Please tell me you are shitting me.”

  “Afraid not. She’s like that to everyone except the boss. She is sugar sweet to him and kisses his ass. She’s even kinda mean to her clients. Today she was extra pissed becau
se she lost two accounts. The boss isn’t going to be happy. Business has been down the last six months. I’m kinda scared they might start laying people off.”

  “Fusion Telcom, right? What does the company do?”

  I haven’t had time to investigate the company Meadow worked for yet. With a crazy serial killer running around and being on a clock until she killed again, I had to prioritize. Besides, I’d like to get to know Meadow directly from Meadow – not a case file. I already knew too much about her from reading police reports and medical records.

  “There are two divisions, infrastructure and storage. One team is dedicated to building phone systems, interoffice networks, and security systems. The other is focused on system management and storage, both onsite and cloud systems. I work for the system management side.”

  “Sounds interesting. What do you do?”

  “I work with four system managers. I handle their reports. I’m an overpaid secretary and file clerk.”

  I highly doubted that was all Meadow did, but like anything else, she tried her hardest not to draw attention to herself.

  “What does Beth do?”

  “She’s a system manager. She’s a computer whiz. Which is a good thing, because most of her work can be done remotely. As you saw, she’s not a people person. Most of her clients only use our cloud storage. Very few of our clients use onsite hard drives.”

  Online cloud storage?

  “Do your clients use the cloud to store their security camera feeds?”

  “Yeah. Most do. Why?”

  “Nothing. A case I’m working on. The security feeds were deleted.”

  “If they were stored in the cloud, it would only take a few keystrokes to delete the file. Any employee with the login could do it. Or the system manager. Hell, even I have access to our client’s storage. The only thing I cannot access is the files they encrypt, but those folders are typically the accounting files and bank information. People are ridiculously loose with their information. They think because they store it with a password someone can’t backdoor in. They forget someone has to manage the system and how much data they use.”