Fighting for Desire by Sarah Bale Page B

vendor.
    “He was mad, Shan,” she said in a low voice. “I haven’t seen
him that mad before. He thinks you’re screwing one of his customers and he
isn’t happy about it.”
    “You know I’m not though. Did you tell him?”
    “I told him you left that night and a hot guy followed you.
Believe me, that didn’t go over any better.”
    “I hope you haven’t caught any hell because of this.”
    “Nah, I can take care of myself.” Molly looked around. “Just
out of curiosity…are you with the hottie from the other night? You seemed to
know him.”
    Shannon’s face flushed. “I do know him. We dated in high
school.”
    “No shit! He’s the pro fighter you’re always talking about
isn’t he? What’s his name?” She snapped her fingers. “Devlin James! I knew he
looked familiar.”
    Shannon shushed her friend. “Keep it down. Yes, his name is
Devlin.”
    Molly whistled. “Not too shabby, girl. It’s not every day
your best friend is rescued by a real life badass.”
    She laughed. “It’s not what you think, believe me.” She
glanced at her watch. “I need to get out of here. I’ll call you later. I
promise.”
    She waved goodbye to her friend and made her way back to the
first floor. Adam intercepted her, a worried look on his face.
    “You need to go. Just got word the boss is on his way in. He
must have seen you on the cameras.”
    “Thanks, Adam. I’ll see you around.”
    She all but ran from the club and down the street. As she
made her way to Dev’s SUV, she kept looking over her shoulder. Johnny knew all
sorts of people and she wouldn’t put it past him to have someone follow her.
    She got into the SUV and locked the doors as fast as she
could. People walked down the sidewalk, going about their everyday business,
but she still felt as if she was being watched.
    She started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.
For good measure she decided to take the long way back to Dev’s house. If
anyone was following her, hopefully she could throw them off her trail.
    Twenty long minutes later she pulled into Dev’s driveway and
parked the car. He was standing on the porch with his arms crossed. Shit. She
knew that look and it wasn’t a good one.
    “Good morning,” she said as she got out of the car and
walked toward him.
    “Where in the hell have you been? And why didn’t you take
your cell phone with you?” He held up her phone.
    She felt faint for a moment. “I must have left it by
accident.”
    God…good thing she hadn’t needed it!
    She smiled, trying to hide her nervousness. “I wasn’t gone
long, Dev. No need to overreact.”
    His eyebrows lifted and he took a step toward her. “I heard
you withdrew some of the money already, Shannon. I figured you were bailing on
me.”
    Something about his admission made her heart ache. She
reached the top of the porch and stood so close to him she could feel the heat
coming from his body.
    “I wouldn’t do that, Dev. I’m not the one who runs.” She
took a step back and added, “You are.”
    She walked through the front door before he could say
anything else.
     

Chapter Twelve
     
    I’m not the one who runs. You are.
    The look in her eyes spoke louder than her words did. He saw
anger and pain but what surprised him was the regret clouding her blue eyes.
How dare she be mad at him for leaving her back then? He wasn’t the one who
betrayed their relationship.
    He thought about following her but decided against it. He
was already in a foul mood and talking to her about the day he left would only
make his mood worse. Instead he waited a few moments and then went upstairs to
his room.
    His room was one of the only places he could relax and
unwind, one of the reasons he’d assigned Shannon to a guestroom on the opposite
end of the house. He sat down in the black leather recliner and sighed.
    Why did things have to be so complicated where she was
concerned? This was supposed to be fun…and a way for him to finally get her out
of his