Free Inferno by Casey Lane

must have been a telemarketer.                 
    ********************
    Group Message
    Bella – What’s everyone up to?
    Lex – We all have jobs.  We’re working
    Bella – I’m working!  I’m watching the Victoria Secret Fashion Show
    Makayla – I hope all of the VS models get the clap
    Jack – My admin assist just told me she would be on Jeopardy if she was smart. Smdh
    Bella – Oh my
    Jack – I work with a bunch of morons.  Last night they called in a Dr at 2AM for a gunshot wound.  He brought his date with him.  The nurse had to escort the hot mess out of the trauma room 
    Lex – I would have loved that convo.  Sorry babe, this was just a booty call and I don’t trust you at my place alone!  hahahaha
    Makayla – Dammit, I just dropped my tampon applicator.  It rolled out of the stall
    Lex – Are you toilet texting?
    Jack – Just wow
    Bella – I’m glad that you not only took your phone into the stall, but updated us that it’s your time of the month
    Jack – this is why, as the only guy in our group, I have the constant feeling of defeat
    Makayla – Oh yeah, because my period is what makes you feel defeated 
    Lex – anyway, E’s flight is delayed.  He won’t be home until late and then has to stop at Inferno to check on things and do owner stuff.  I was thinking mani/pedi and pizza tonight?  Anyone interested?
    Bella – can’t sweets.  Plans with Tate tonight
    Jack – I’ve got dinner with dad & the step monster 
    Makayla – Going out with Sebastian, which is prob why E has to be at the club.  Sry
    Lex – you guys all suck (full pout, arms crossed, foot stomp)
    ********************
    I jolted up in bed and looked over at my bedside clock, 3:30AM.  My heart was pounding, pumping hard with adrenaline.  My apartment was dark and quiet.  I looked around trying to figure out what woke me.
    BANG!  BANG!  BANG!
    I disentangled myself from my blankets and attempted to tip toe to the door.  I made it about five steps before I tripped over a shoe and stumbled into the end table, causing a lamp to crash to the floor.  Goddammit! 
    “Lex, open the door.”  A male voice shouted. 
    I hobbled over; flipping on a light and looking through the peephole before sliding the chair out of the way and throwing open the door.  Ethan, with slightly tousled hair, stood in the hall.  His body was tense, like a wild tiger seeking prey.  He stepped through the gap, kicking the door closed with his foot.  He wrapped one arm around my waist and the other hand snaked up, tangling in my hair to control my movements.  The heated look in his eyes caused a flood of moisture to pool between my legs.  Never breaking eye contact, his lips crashed into mine, demanding entrance.  After what seemed an eternity, he released my swollen lips and stepped back.
    “You didn’t come by the club tonight.”
    “You said you had a lot of work to do.  I didn’t want to be in your way, and I really didn’t want to sit down at the bar by myself.”
    “I haven’t seen you in four days.”
    “Yeah, believe me, I know.”
    “I have an office.  There is a couch and a TV, bring a book, take a nap, I don’t care what you do, but when I haven’t seen you, I want you there with me.  Understand?”
    “What if I have stuff to do?  You can’t expect me to just jump because you said so.”  Now I was getting a little huffy.  I mean who did he think he was showing up at my house at O dark thirty making demands.
    “Stop being difficult.”
    “I admit that your possessive, cave man act can be quite endearing.  That doesn’t mean that I am going to let some egotistical, cocky ass, I can have any woman I want, dude dictate to me when I can and can’t do something or where I need to be!”
    We stood staring each other down.  Ethan was his usual calm, cool, collected self.  I was not.  My temper was flaring, and I may have been breathing a bit hard, but damn it, he was not going to