They desperately needed a manager and it was very clear to all of them that it wasn’t going to be someone from Torpedo Ink. Czar had finally agreed to look for an outsider. The club had a lot of secrets. Too many. The more people they brought in who worked every day with them, the more dangerous that could be—particularly if that person was observant as any good manager would have to be.
“I’m sorry, Aleksei. Really. I’d love to. I’m not just saying that because it’s short notice. I’m really booked tonight and can’t get out of it. I swear, ask me any other time, and I’ll make certain I’m free.”
Scarlet not only sounded regretful, but she looked it as well. Absinthe couldn’t believe the disappointment he felt. He had half expected to be rejected just because he’d asked her at the last minute and he knew women didn’t like that. He’d counted on the fact that Scarlet didn’t seem to be a bullshit kind of player. If she wanted to see him and she could—she would.
“Not certain I can get out of work tomorrow night, but if you can, I’ll move heaven and earth to try. Might have to sell my soul,” Absinthe promised, “but for you …” He trailed off and gave her a half smile, hoping to entice her into a conversation at least. “What time do you get off work?”
He knew her schedule. She wasn’t working. He couldn’t very well remind her of that. He could tell when he’d admitted he’d found out about her schedule the first time she hadn’t been flattered. It hadn’t occurred to her that he was coming from the coast and it took two hours or more. He could cut that down on his bike, but it was a bit of a risk at times.
“I’m off tomorrow, so whatever time works best for you.”
The relief was tremendous. She’d answered immediately this time. She really did want to see him. “Will you ride with me tomorrow?”
He saw her hesitation and waited, closing his mouth against temptation. He didn’t touch her. He wanted his relationship with her to be built on real emotion, not something he’d contrived. That was his problem—he could never tell what was real anymore. He needed Scarlet to be real.
He couldn’t live without Torpedo Ink. He knew that. Torpedo Ink was there in his skin and branded deep in his soul. It was who he was. He was part of that tree and he couldn’t survive without the others. They couldn’t survive without him. That much he knew to be truth. But he feared sometimes that his relationships had been built on shifting sands. This one had to be on a solid foundation. Scarlet had to choose him. Had to want him, to know he was right for her, deep down in her gut, the way he knew she was right for him.
“I want to.” There was reluctance in her voice. “That’s a lot of trust to put into one dinner.”
“We don’t have to ride the bike.” He sent her a small smile. “You tell me what you’d like to do. I can arrange a picnic basket. Alena, a friend of mine, is a dynamite cook. She’ll make us something and we can go anywhere. I can find us a truck.”
“You were going to bring a picnic?”
Absinthe could tell she really wanted to go on the bike. He wasn’t going to push it. She had to feel comfortable enough with him to choose his ride.
She swallowed. Her hand came up. A delicate hand, fingers small, nails shaped, not long, but nicely trimmed. She stroked her throat. “I don’t date, Aleksei, and I’m not used to being with a man for long periods of time.”
The reminder was again the strict truth. He could hear it in her voice. He could also hear reluctance, as if she preferred not to be so honest, but she couldn’t help herself.
“The idea of going with you on a ride is tempting, but I really would hate to blow it with you so soon because I’m awkward and don’t have a clue what to say or do. And I could be out late tonight …” She trailed off.
He could tell a part of her was hoping he would walk away, thinking she was too much of an effort, while the bigger part of her wanted him to make the running for her. He knew, for him, she would be worth every hoop he had to jump through.
“You seein’ another man tonight?” He tried not to sound possessive. Or jealous. He couldn’t imagine either trait associated with him. He’d never felt emotions the way he did around Scarlet. In some ways, it threw him. He was a man always in control, and around her, he was that little bit out of control because emotions were unexpected, and he was uncertain how to deal with them, but he knew he had to get on top of them.