Free Scorch by Kait Gamble Page A

needed him to protect her from Richard, but she could use him as a buffer right about now.
    “I want to apologize and I’d rather not do it to your entire building.”
    Could she accept an apology from him? After what he’d done? “Just go away, Richard. Leave me alone. You’ve done a great job of that.”
    “We need to talk, Chelsea. If not now, then another time.”
    Chelsea glared at the door. She wasn’t going to let him in.
    “I guess I’ll see you later.”
    Chelsea couldn’t have felt more relief when she heard his footsteps fade down the hall. So much for never seeing him again.

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
    Chelsea strode into the restaurant the next day ready to tear anyone’s head off. With the mood she was in, the first person to piss her off would incur her wrath.
    She’d spent most of the night trying to forget that Richard was back then wondering who would have told him how to find her. It wouldn’t have been Cara or Natalie. Jason and Sebastian would have beaten him senseless before telling him anything. The only other person she could think of was her mother. And the last thing she wanted to do was get into yet another argument with her about what had happened.
    “Chelsea?” She hadn’t heard Daniel approach. “What’s the matter?”
    Of course, he knew there was something wrong. She’d been standing in the doorway of the restaurant just staring into space. “I’m fine.”
    “Are you?” He followed her gaze to the wait staff setting the tables. “Want to go out back and talk?”
    She shook her head. “Not now.” Thankfully, her phone started ringing, putting a halt to his interrogation. She didn’t recognize the number. Chelsea gave Daniel a pleading look. “Later. I promise.”
    He didn’t seem convinced but left her to get his own work sorted.
    She swiped the screen. “Hello?”
    “Chelsea.” The accent was unmistakable.
    White-hot fury blinded her for a moment. “Who gave you my number?”
    “Who do you think? The one person who’s looking out for your best interest and you barely ever call her.”
    “You have got to be kidding me. You’re calling to guilt me about not calling my mother?”
    “Actually, I’m outside. We need to talk. I’d rather not do it in front of your co-workers.”
    The last thing she needed was Richard walking in and making a scene—especially in front of Daniel.
    “Fine.”
    She hung up and checked her watch. If she went now, she would make it back long before dinner service.
    It took moments to locate Daniel. She caught him as he came out of the pantry. “I have to run for a little bit. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
    Daniel jerked his head toward the pantry and followed her in. “Are you sure you’re okay?”
    She busied herself with her purse strap. “I shouldn’t be too long.”
    Daniel gently closed his hands over her shoulders, prompting her to look up at him. “But are you okay?”
    “I can’t talk about it right now.” She leaned in for a kiss and found herself lingering a little longer than she had intended. He felt great, especially after the night she’d had. Chelsea sighed. “I wish we were naked right now.”
    He pressed his nose against the skin under her ear, kissing her lightly. “You and me both. I missed you last night.”
    She kissed him again before pushing him back. It would be too easy to get carried away. He was like a drug.
    Wasn’t she trying to wean herself off him right now? She had to admit that she really needed someone at the moment. Everyone else who she usually relied on wasn’t around. It made sense that she would go to him. Didn’t it?
    Why did Richard’s reappearance make her feel so vulnerable? She was a grown woman who didn’t need to fall back on anyone. Least of all the fling she was using to get over him.
    “I’ll see you later.” Chelsea straightened her clothes and walked outside.
    She stomped over to Richard and dragged him away. “You have some nerve.”
    “You didn’t want