Attachment Strings by Chris T. Kat Read Free Book Online

me.
    Step four: Get out; maybe buy a new book or DVD .
    I grabbed my keys and headed outside.

Chapter 6

     
     
    W ITHOUT a clear aim in mind, I ambled out the door and drove around. I ended up in the parking garage of one of the casinos. I took the elevator down and walked along the Boardwalk. The crisp, clean air helped me to feel alive and lift my spirits.
    I strolled along the Boardwalk for an hour or so, sometimes passing a casino. For a fleeting moment, I was tempted to go inside and try my luck, but irritatingly, gambling had never held my interest.
    Chilled to the bones, I watched my breath form little puffs in the air and stuffed my hands in my jacket pockets, hoping to thaw them. For a while I stared at the Atlantic Ocean and listened to the rolling of the waves. The sight and the sounds soothed my tightly wound up mind. I discovered a white boat in the distance, glittering in the setting sun. I wished I could be there.
    I expelled a breath. My good mood had evaporated, so I thought that I had better get going. The prospect of getting back to my apartment with no new distraction at hand elicited a grimace. Maybe I should stop by for a drink somewhere?
    To my own astonishment, half an hour later, I found myself back in Snake Alley, right in front of the entrance of the Lion’s Den . My subconscious had obviously decided a quickie would be a good idea. It might be right. Me being here had nothing to do with wanting to see a certain someone again. Absolutely not.
    I ambled over to the bar but stopped halfway. Shaking my head, I tried to clear it of the vision in front me. This couldn’t be real. I closed my eyes but the sudden warmth after being outside for too long had me swaying on the spot. Someone gripped my elbow, steadying me and asked, “Are you all right?”
    I opened my eyes. “Yes. Sure, thanks.”
    The man looked doubtful, so I forced a smile and walked on. I reached my destination within seconds. “What the hell are you doing?”
    Two heads swiveled around to face me. Alex’s eyes widened whereas Parker merely raised an eyebrow after the initial shock wore off. He had his arm around Alex’s waist. Blood pounded so fast in my ears, I wasn’t entirely sure if it was going to spill outside.
    “Hey,” Alex said. “How are you doing?”
    “Fine. Never been better.”
    “Really? Does he always look like a berserker on a roll when he’s fine?” He turned to Parker. I turned to Parker too because I was confused. It must have been written all over my face.
    Parker laughed. “No, not usually, although he seems to be from the possessive faction.”
    Alex pulled a face before he snuggled up against Parker’s side. My hands itched.
    “I don’t do possessive guys.” Alex batted his eyelashes at me.
    Caught by surprise, I said, “Well, I’m not one of those.”
    Alex’s eyes sparkled. They goddamn sparkled! “Isn’t that good to know.”
    My teeth hurt from gnashing them together really hard. I could barely breathe. This had to be a dream—no, a nightmare. One that I could do without. I kept on staring at the two men in front of me, but no words came out.
    Parker rolled his eyes. “Come on, boy, do your duty. I don’t think he’s getting the joke.”
    The joke? What joke? What the hell was going on? I had no clue.
    I clenched my hands into fists when Parker gave Alex’s behind a friendly pat. I swallowed hard and stood completely rigid. Parker glanced at me, which he followed with an exasperated sigh. He pushed Alex forward with a quiet, “Go on. He’s harmless.”
    “Are you sure? He doesn’t look harmless. He looks downright dangerous.”
    Parker flapped his hands dismissively. “That’s only for show.”
    Alex extricated himself from Parker’s embrace and sauntered over to me. Tentatively, he reached out his hands, smoothed the wrinkles at the front of my shirt, and eventually fastened his hands atop my belt. Dumbfounded, I stared at his hands; slender hands with long fingers,