Free Destroying Beauty (Hell Hounds Motorcycle Club): Vegas Titans Series by Celia Loren Page A

delicately
touching a tiny leaf of the young rosemary plant. "I mean, not that he
hasn't called you, but that you did it yourself. You've got enough for a Simon
and Garfunkel song here."
    I laugh. "Thanks. Well, I felt like I was always
sitting around, waiting at home for Steve, and I want to make sure I don't do
that anymore." I feel a pang in my gut as I say it, though. I'm putting on
a brave face, but I have been checking my phone pretty constantly. Holt and I
had seen each other or talked on the phone every day this week, and now nothing
since last night. I clear my throat. "I chose this window because it has
the most sunlight. I read that herbs need a lot. I really liked doing it. Maybe
when my lease is up, I'll get a place with some outdoor space."
    Elise straightens up and looks me over. "You seem
different. You've got a little spark back."
    "Yeah?"
    "Yeah, it's been a while since I've heard you talk
about the future. Hey, I went on a date with one of those guys from the
club."
    "How'd it go?"
    "Meh."
    I grin at her. "I mean…maybe stop meeting guys in
clubs? You keep saying you want to settle down…maybe that's not the best place
to meet that kind of guy." I refill her wine glass with more Cabernet.
    "Where'd you meet Holt?"
    "At Billy's. But he flaked on our plans earlier today,
so I'm not the best person to follow."
    "It seems like you really like him."
    "I do. Too much, I think. It's only been a couple weeks
and I'm already wondering where he is all the time, thinking about him…"
    "Well, he's hot, that's for sure."
    "Do you think it's weird that I haven't met any of his
friends yet?"
    "Nah, it's only been a couple weeks." She glances
at the clock on the microwave. "I better get going. I have another date
with Grant."
    "Who?
    "The club guy."
    "I thought you said he was boring!"
    "Ugh, I know. What can I say? I feel my baby timer
ticking away in there." She puts her glass in the sink and wraps me in a
quick hug. "Don't worry about Holt. I'm sure he got caught up in
something. It seemed like he was really into you."
    I smile at her and watch her sashay down the hallway. My
head jerks back as I hear my phone ring in the bedroom. I close the door and
hurry inside. It's Holt. I debate not answering, letting him stew a little, but
know I shouldn't play games.
    "Hey," I answer.
    "Hey." The sound of his low voice sends a shiver
through my spine. "Sorry about today. Maybe we could get you the plants
next week."
    "It's OK. I actually went to the nursery and got them
myself this afternoon."
    I hear him pause.
    "Oh, great. Did you still want to hang out
tonight?"
    "Sure."
    "Mind coming out here?"
    "Um, yeah, sure," I reply.
    "Give me a call when you're at the exit and I'll give
you directions," he says shortly, and I hear him hang up.
    I frown down at my phone. What the fuck was that? Why was he
acting so distant? I feel my eyes well up with tears, my "cool girl"
routine broken by his dismissiveness. I thought there was something…well,
special, between us, though now hearing myself think that word makes me roll my
eyes at myself. I shouldn't have let myself get attached so quickly. It's just,
meeting him at the time I did, after the shooting, it felt almost
synchronistic. Like he was meant to help me through it, or something.
    Stop thinking like that! Maybe I should call him back. Text
him, even. Say I can't go. But maybe when we see each other…there's no denying
our physical chemistry. Every time we've seen each other we've tried something
new and it just keeps getting better.
    I defiantly wipe the tears from my eyes and head to my
closet to pick out something that will make his jaw drop.
     

     
    I park down the street from the bar Holt directed me to. His
abruptness on the phone surprised me again, and now I'm rethinking my short
dress and heels. This neighborhood is seriously seedy. I sigh and step out of
my car, tottering a bit on the uneven cement.
    I pull down the hem of my tight tank dress as I walk to the
doors