One Night of Scandal

Reed shoved his hands in the front pockets of his black jeans. “Yeah, most people can’t picture it because he’s so chill on the surface. Underneath it, though? Trust me when I say he can be pretty damn deadly.”

They reached a crosswalk and obediently stopped in deference to the red don’t-walk sign flashing at them. Darcy couldn’t help but shoot Reed a sidelong look, noting in surprise that this was the most relaxed she’d ever seen him.

“Do you ever miss your fighting days?” she asked curiously.

He took a moment to think it over. “Sometimes. But I definitely don’t miss the intense training. Besides, whenever I’m in the mood to beat the crap outta someone, all I have to do is call Gage. He’s always up for a fight.”

The mention of Reed and AJ’s friend caused a sliver of worry to prick Darcy’s chest. “He’s not still fighting for that thug, is he?”

“Naah,” Reed answered, “Gage is free and clear now, and spending every free moment with his girl.”

Must be nice.

Darcy couldn’t stop the rush of envy that washed over her. She’d seen the way Gage looked at his girlfriend. Pure adoration, unadulterated passion.

God, she desperately wanted someone to look at her like that.

“This is me.” She came to a stop in front of her low-rise building.

With its ivy–covered brick exterior and endless expanse of gleaming windows, her place was a lot nicer on the outside than it was on the inside. Her apartment was so tiny, she could barely take a step without bumping into a wall or piece of furniture, but it was all she could afford on her meager teacher’s salary. Maybe, if she ever got tenure and the raise that came with it, she’d finally be able to upgrade to a nicer place.

When she glanced at Reed, she was startled to find his blue eyes glued to her mouth.

He looked as fascinated by her lips as she was by his.

Darcy’s heart skipped a beat. Holy moly. The man was staring at her as if he wanted to…kiss her.

But no. She had to be misreading the moment. Reed Miller, thinking about kissing her? That was just nuts.

And even more nuts?

She didn’t think she’d push him away if he tried.

Wasn’t that all sorts of messed up. Not only was he AJ’s best friend, but he also happened to be the furthest thing from her type. Reed Miller was a bad boy to the core—oh, she’d heard plenty of stories about him from AJ. Apparently the guy possessed an anything-goes attitude when it came to sex. He also smoked cigarettes, cursed like a sailor, and drove way too fast in that black Camaro of his.

Sure, he was a business owner, too. And he had his own house, so she imagined he must be somewhat responsible since he was able to pay the bills. But she was leery of men like Reed, with their unpredictable nature and innate arrogance and those seductive grins that made a woman forget all the reasons why she shouldn’t get involved with him.

On the other hand, nobody said she had to date a bad boy. But hooking up with one would definitely be a surefire way to inject some passion into her life.

Though preferably, she needed a bad boy that wasn’t AJ’s friend.

Reed cleared his throat, jerking her from her thoughts. He shifted awkwardly as he said, “I’ll wait out here to make sure you get inside okay.”

Darcy blinked. His sudden preoccupation with her safety made absolutely no sense to her, and it was what prompted her to finally address the enormous pink elephant that seemed to stomp through every room they were in.

“Why don’t you like me?” she blurted out.

Surprise flooded his expression, accompanied by a crease of visible discomfort that cut into his forehead.

“I…” He cleared his throat again. “Who says I don’t like you?”

“Your behavior says it,” she retorted. “Before tonight, you’ve barely said a single word to me. You don’t look me in the eye, you don’t laugh at my jokes—when I know for a fact that I am hilarious—and every time I come to the club, you run away faster than my friend Shannon’s husband does whenever American Idol is on. Ergo, I’m pretty sure you don’t like me.”

“That’s not true. I, ah, I like you just fine.”

Gee, how encouraging. She’d never heard a more lackluster response in her life.

“Okay. Whatever,” Darcy muttered. “I guess it was too much to hope that you would give me a straight answer. It’s good to know you like me ‘just fine.’”

Gritting her teeth, she climbed the first step to the stoop, but Reed grabbed hold of her hand and tugged her back. “Darcy…” His voice came out raspy. “Look…I really do like you.”

She shifted her head, locking her gaze with his. “You do?”

“Yeah. I think you’re pretty damn awesome, actually. But…”

It suddenly became hard to breathe. “But what?”

His hand was warm against her skin, his thumb sweeping a light caress over her wrist. “But I…” Torment creased his face. “I have to act the way I do, okay? It’s the only way for me to—” A strangled noise popped out of his mouth. “Forget it.”

“Reed—”

“I’ve gotta go,” he interrupted, keeping his gaze downcast. “Make sure to lock your door the second you get upstairs.”

Before she could open her mouth to protest, he was gone.

Darcy stared at his retreating back in disbelief, tempted to run after him and demand he finish that cryptic sentence.