When He Was Bad... by Anne Oliver Read Free Book Online Page B

her there’d been a complaint, that she’d come on to a customer, then deliberately spilled his drink when he’d knocked her invitation back. So the manager had docked her the cost of the drink for the damage that the customer had caused.
    Resentment spiked through her bloodstream. ‘That’s not how it was and you know it.’ Giving him the best evil eye she could manage, she stuffed what was left of her night’s pay into her bag, buttoned her coat with quick jerky movements. ‘You can take your lousy job and stick it in a very dark place,’ she snapped out on her way to the nearest exit.
    Ellie was accustomed to people expecting her to be an easy walkover. Usually she fought back. She could have argued her case; she was the injured party here. Tonight, as she manoeuvred her way through testosterone city, all she wanted to do was get out of this pit and lay her throbbing head on a pillow and sleep for a week. Was she coming down with a bug?
    She shook it away. Not going to happen. She had to rise and shine early tomorrow. At this point she really, really needed Belle’s part-time job. And now it came with an additional problem… Speaking of which, did she say goodbye to Matt or what? Would he think she was angling for a lift home? Or more? She glanced to where he’d been sitting moments earlier but he’d left. Without a word.
    Good, she told herself as she veered back towards the exit. One less problem. Tomorrow morning was way soon enough to be interacting with him. She wasn’t in the mood to deal with complications. And despite his views about their non- relationship, Matt McGregor was complication in flashing lights. Big red warning ones.
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    Doing his gentlemanly duty as he saw Ellie preparing to leave, he exited the bar and waited for her outside.
    She’d told him she wanted to be left alone, but safety concerns aside, knowing where she’d be this evening had been too much of a temptation for Matt to ignore. He’d wanted to see her again, simple as that. He stepped towards her the moment she appeared. ‘I’ll walk you to your car.’
    Her head swivelled towards him and her eyes widened. ‘Why are you still here?’
    The damp air teased her hair so that it curled in wisps around her face. She must have washed it again because it was lighter—honey blonde with only a streak or two of pink—but the austere light from the street lamp turned it silver-white, making her appear smaller, more fragile.
    â€˜You think I’d leave you here at this time of night without ensuring your safe journey home?’ Wherever that might be.
    She pulled her coat tighter, straightened her spine, hitched her bag higher. ‘I can take care of myself.’
    â€˜Yeah, right. Alone, past midnight, in this seedy area. Where’s your car?’
    â€˜I don’t own a car. And I happen to live in this seedy area.’ He didn’t miss the light of contempt in her eyes.
    Along with her list of criticisms, did she think him prejudiced? He couldn’t decide whether it amused or annoyed him. ‘How are you getting home?’
    â€˜Public transport.’
    â€˜My car’s across the road. I’ll drop you off.’
    â€˜It’s—’
    â€˜Non-negotiable.’ He placed a silencing finger against her lips.
    Heat, as her sharp exhalation of breath streamed over hisfingertip. Friction, as his finger drifted lightly over her lips. Desire, sharp and swift, as her lips parted the tiniest bit. In surprise? Or something else? He couldn’t be sure, and for a pulse beat or two he thought she might yield and open further. But she remained completely still.
    â€˜Non-negotiable, Ellie.’ He pressed his thumb to her lower lip, watching her eyes darken to an intense charcoal in the dimness. ‘So get used to the idea quickly.’

CHAPTER FOUR
    E LLIE didn’t move, didn’t pull away, even as a throng of