Sal (The Ride Series) (7 page)

“None of your business,” I snapped, grabbing the phone and silencing it. There was no way I was talking to Gavin in front of Sal. And why was he calling anyway?

He sat up and I tried to ignore the play of muscles against his stomach at the motion. It was so easy to get distracted when he was shirtless. The beautiful tattoos which spanned across his chest and down both arms were enough to make my mouth water. And his skin was a beautiful color. I didn’t know many details about his family, he didn’t talk about them much. But, I knew his father was Spanish and his mother Caucasian, resulting in a beautiful light brown skin tone that looked good enough to eat.

“Who is he?” he asked again, his dark eyes watching my movements as I got up off the bed and stood glaring at him.

“That guy you went all caveman on,” I retorted with an eye roll.

Sal’s face turned hard and his anger pissed me right the hell off.

“In case you’ve somehow forgotten, I’m sin-gle.” I emphasized the syllables with my hands on my hips. “I can go out on dates if I want to. Maybe it’s lost on you, but the opposite sex does tend to find me attractive,” I snapped.

“It’s not lost on me,” he replied steadily.

I sighed, searching for patience and trying to ignore the throbbing in my neck and face. It was time to end whatever was going on between us. I didn’t want to be angry and bitter with him, yet I couldn’t help but lash out when his being here brought everything to the forefront. It was too hard.

I took a deep breath. “Look,” I began, my voice and stance deliberately calmer than before. “I don’t
want
to be angry with you. I’m sure you had your reasons for breaking up with me. It’s not like you made me any promises. But, I can’t deal with this,” I said, gesturing to my injuries, “while dealing with being around you.” I tried to explain, horrified when a lump formed in my throat. I was making myself more vulnerable to him than I’d intended. “Having you around is making it harder, and I’m not saying that to hurt you. I just can’t deal with it,” I said as I gulped, a sheen of tears filling my eyes. “Dammit,” I muttered to myself, forging ahead as though the tears weren’t happening, “so if you feel bad for leaving or you feel obligated because of what happened to me, please don’t. I’m fine,” I tried to assure him. “Or, I will be,” I added.

He continued to watch me with his dark eyes from the edge of the bed.

“The guys can watch out for me. They’ve been doing it for the past six months anyway,” I stammered, eyeing him wearily as he moved to stand up and started to advance toward me. I backed up, trying to ward him off. “I need you to go, Sal,” I said, my voice harder. “This isn’t a situation you can force your way through.”

He did the opposite of what I asked and pulled me against his chest, wrapping his arms around me.

Yep, he was going to force his way through.

“Let me go!” I protested, pressing hard against his chest.

“Can’t,” he replied simply, his chin resting on the crown of my head. We’d always fit so well together, like two puzzle pieces. My face snuggled perfectly into his neck when he held me like this. But I wasn’t in a snuggling type of mood.

“You did it fine before,” I snapped, outright shoving now, my anger palpable.

“Trust me, I was far from fine,” he assured me.

My body stilled. He’d been upset, too? Then why hadn’t he checked in once in six months? Now he had the audacity to come plundering back into my life as though he had every right to take over again? Nuh uh, no way.

I made a strangled sound of frustration and continued to try to shove at him. He held me tighter, and I started to punch his chest; my anger and grief pouring out in a way I could barely control. He took what I gave him, barely grunting at my ministrations, letting me work it out. Finally, I exhausted myself and sagged against him in defeat. And to my severe horror, I started to sob against his chest.

He held me, patiently stroking my hair.

Finally, I pulled it together and pushed away from him. “This is my strategy to convince you that you don’t want to have anything to do with me,” I quipped, wiping my eyes.

He gave me a sad looking smile but didn’t reply. Sal had never been much of a talker. After another minute of silence, he reached out to stroke my hair back from my face. “There are so many things I want to say to you, but I don’t feel like you’re in the state of mind to hear them or to believe them,” he explained quietly. “But you’re my woman, have been since the moment I laid eyes on you. And I’m never leavin’ you again.” He shook his head.

I sucked in a breath at those words. He’d never made any sort of grand statements like that when we’d been together before.

“I know you’re angry and hurt and I fucked things up, but I’m gonna fight my way back in there,” he murmured, his palm splaying briefly on my chest. “It kills me that this happened to you because of your relationship with me,” he said hoarsely, tracing the bruise on my neck with the utmost tenderness. “It kills me that I was a few blocks away when it started,” he rasped. His eyes were so pained that I nearly reached out to console him, but I found my resolve and restrained myself.

“Is that why you’re doing this? Making me stay with you? Because you feel guilty?” I asked quietly, searching his expression. I had to know. I couldn’t worry about being an obligation to him. Not this time.

He shut his eyes and shook his head, a frustrated laugh escaping. “If that were true, then why have I been chasing after you since I got back?” he demanded lightly.

Hmm, I suppose he had a point.

He sighed, “listen, I know we have a lot to work out, but this is bigger than you and me right now. We need to get you secure, and I need to connect with the guys to see what the fuck is going on,” he growled. “So, can you please pack up your shit and let me take care of this?”

I did sort of love when he got bossy, which was a lot. What was wrong with me?

“Okay,” I agreed. The man had a point. Whatever drama we had with our relationship paled in comparison to our lives being threatened. I’d deal with the prospect of staying with Sal and what the hell was going on with us later, much later.

I showered and dressed, fitting a lightweight scarf around my neck. I put some makeup on my eye, but there wasn’t much that could be done to cover it. It was pretty nasty looking. I started to pack, bringing out clothes from my closet to the bed.

“You’re gonna need a bigger bag,” he assessed from his spot at the kitchen bar.

“What?” I asked, eyeing the fairly large duffel I’d selected.

“Baby, I know you. You need at least two outfit choices for every day. You might be staying for a while. Pick a bigger bag,” he replied.

“Fine,” I grumbled. “Does this bag meet your requirements, Mr. Armstrong?” I asked cheekily, gesturing to the larger bag I’d grabbed from the closet.

“Better,” he nodded, ignoring my sarcasm.

Thirty minutes later, we were locking up, my huge duffel hefted over Sal’s shoulder. When we walked out to the front of my building, I was shocked to see Gavin there leaning against his BMW. His eyes immediately narrowed when he took in my eye, and he abruptly stalked toward us.

“What happened?” he demanded.

Oh, shit
.

“What are you doing here, Gavin?” I asked calmly.

“Scarlet said something had happened to you. She was vague, but I was worried. Did he do this to you?” he demanded, pointing with a glare at Sal.

I saw Sal stiffen out the corner of my eye and, no doubt, his face was a mask of rage at the assumption.

Before I knew what was happening, Gavin was pressed up against the side of his fancy car with an angry Sal breathing fire through his nose. “I would never hurt her, never,” he seethed with an emotion so fierce I felt it in my belly. He was hurt at the implication he’d physically harm me, deeply so.

“No,” I said as I shook my head adamantly before Sal could say anything further. “He wouldn’t do that, Gavin.”

Sal let him go with a growl and came to stand by my side, clearly trying to get a handle on himself.

“Have you been checked out?” Gavin asked quietly. His concern was utterly sincere. He stepped closer to assess my eye. Luckily my neck was covered.

“No, but I’m okay, really,” I assured him. “I really appreciate your concern, but we’ve got to get going,” I said gently.

Gavin straightened and eyed Sal with renewed interest, “You the ex?”

“I’m her man,” Sal correctly him harshly.

I inwardly groaned in frustration at his continued claiming of me.

“I’m taking care of Kat,” he added. “You don’t need to worry about her.”

Gavin nodded, his expression thoughtful as he took in Sal’s appearance. It wasn’t a judgmental look. It was more of a resigned assessment.

“Things don’t work out, you know where to find me,” he said quietly. I had to admit I was impressed he didn’t seem intimidated by Sal. “Take care of yourself, Kat.”

I smiled at him warmly. We’d been on one date and he’d come to check up on me. I genuinely appreciated it. “You too, Gavin. Thanks.” I gave him a small wave as Sal took my hand and guided me down the block.

I looked back over my shoulder once. Gavin was already getting in his car and driving away. I really hoped he’d find a nice woman. He deserved it.

When the Charger came into view, my belly did a little flip. I’d looked longingly at its shape all these months buried underneath its cover, not daring to peek underneath. I’d never cared much for cars, especially muscle cars. But when I’d started dating Sal, and he’d pulled up in his black ‘68 Charger, which he’d restored himself, I was shocked at how hot I thought it was. The car rumbled like a beast and he looked gorgeous behind the wheel. He’d let me drive it once to the store and back.

It was awesome.

He must have seen my expression because he slung his arm around my shoulders and pulled me into his side. “Never looked at this car the same after the time I got between those gorgeous thighs in the backseat,” his deep voice rumbled appreciatively in my ear.

I tried to shy away from him; I didn’t want him to notice how much his words affected me.

He chuckled at my response, opening the car door for me. I’d always loved the way the black leather of the interior smelled and the way I could feel the rumble of the engine under the seat. Aside from the bike, it was the next best way to travel.

Sal was quiet on the way to his place. I didn’t know if it was the run-in with Gavin or my attack that had him brooding. Either way I left him to his thoughts, grateful for the quiet.

We arrived at his place and I took a fortifying breath. It wasn’t going to be easy for me to be under this roof again with all of the memories we’d shared here.

“Okay?” he asked, interrupting my thoughts.

I bit my lip and nodded while opening my door and climbing out. His house was a one-story stucco. The front yard had simple landscaping with stone and drought resistant bushes, a necessity in the Nevada desert. He gathered my duffel from the back and led us inside. It smelled so familiar, like Sal.

I looked around his house. It didn’t look like he’d ever left. He’d always kept it sparse with minimal personal effects. Two brown leather sofas, a coffee table, and a TV made up the living room. Hardwood floors and high, wood-beam ceilings made the space feel more open than it might otherwise. It was a nice, albeit simple place, but he could make it much more comfortable if he put a little effort in. I’d always bit my tongue against offering any suggestions.

“Is the guest room set up?” I asked. His second bedroom had always been more of an office space.

“Uh, no,” he shook his head and I could tell he hadn’t even thought of it.

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Well, if you’re so intent on me staying here, I guess you’re sleeping on the couch,” I said with a raised brow.

He looked like he was going to say something but then thought better of it. “Looks like it,” he muttered.

Chapter 8

I
situated myself in Sal’s room after Scarlet had paid a worried visit, and some of the guys had come by to check on me. I was lying in bed looking blankly up at the ceiling. Sal had given me my space and I was glad for it. Exhaustion hit me from being back in this house where we’d spent so much time together and reassuring everyone constantly I was okay. Scarlet and I hadn’t talked about much. I wasn’t in the mood, and she knew when to give me my space. But, she’d promised to come over every day. I knew I didn’t have any choice but to agree. She’d be there regardless. She was a good friend like that.

I’d spent so many nights under this roof in Sal’s bed wrapped up with him. This was after we’d had mind-blowing sex, of course. God, the sex. I closed my eyes thinking about it. It was like nothing I’d ever experienced. Sal was amazing in bed. But, not only that, it was how we were together, as though our bodies were meant to make love. We had amazing physical chemistry. And when I was with him, I’d felt more adored and safe than ever before in my life.

But, Sal didn’t share. He didn’t talk about his family or about his past. He didn’t share his dreams for the future, if he had any. He was a closed book and I found myself on the outside trying to get in. Sal was a guy you took day by day, and at times, it hadn’t always felt like enough. But I loved him, God, how I loved him. It seemed like he wanted another shot, but could I seriously open myself up to him again and continue to feel like I didn’t get enough in return?

A knock sounded at the door interrupting my thoughts, and I uttered a soft “come in.”

Sal poked his head into the dark room, and I turned my head to look at him. “You could turn on a light, you know,” he pointed out.

“Yeah, I could,” I agreed simply, making it clear I didn’t plan to.

“I ordered a pizza. Come out and share some with me. We can watch a movie,” he ordered more than suggested. It had always been his way.

When I hesitated, he sighed. “I’m going to have to force feed you through a tube if you don’t start eating soon.”

I hated to admit he was right, and I rose reluctantly in my pajamas to follow him.

“Put somethin’ else on first,” he said, gesturing to my shorts and cami that I always wore to bed.