Cornered by Ariana Gael Page B

work, taking double shifts and covering for the on-call drivers because you like to spend money.”
    “Whatever, honey, that’s all water under the bridge now,” she began, lowering her voice seductively and coming to stand directly in front of Lars, staring at his muscled chest like a parched man in the desert. “I came over because I want to really talk to you. I want to put that stuff all behind us.”
    “Behind us? It’s pretty hard to put something behind you when it happened right here in this apartment, Vicki. I came in from work and you’ve got some guy in my bed. Forget cheating, you brought some guy into my home!”
    “Oh, your home? What, is this your palace now? Are you the king of your domain in this dump? Don’t get high and mighty, you live in a slum, just like the rest of us.” Vicki bit her lip at her last remark, realizing that her ploy wasn’t going over as planned. “Baby, I didn’t mean that. I’ve just been tense. I really miss you. I miss us.” She placed a hand directly on Lars’ chest and looked up at him, leaning in to kiss his neck when he didn’t immediately shove her away.
    Her lips were so close to his skin he could feel the heat of her breath just above his collarbone, but he was saved from having to physically move away from her repulsive body by another knock on the door, this one far quieter and undemanding. Vicki jerked suddenly to stand back from Lars, an annoyed smirk crossing her face at the interruption. Lars glared at her for a second before turning to open the door.
    “Michelle!” he said, instinctively reaching a hand to his waist to make sure the towel was fully in place. She looked embarrassed to see him undressed, and he was surprised by how much the pink color rising in her cheeks amused him.
    “I tried to call, but only got your voicemail,” she began hesitantly. She looked past him at a sudden movement inside his apartment, her eyes widening when she saw Vicki come to stand behind Lars. Her expression clouded when she took in the situation. “I’m so sorry, I can see that you have company.”
    “Michelle, wait!” Lars called, roughly brushing Vicki’s hand off his bicep and chasing after Michelle’s retreating form. A woman scorned may not always be furious, but she sure can be fast. Michelle made it all the way down the stairs and out to the street before Lars caught her, gasping for air at the unexpected chill as the cold air of dusk froze his mostly naked body. “Michelle! Look at me!”
    “No, Lars, it’s okay. I’m really sorry, I shouldn’t have come over like that. I just got some tickets to go somewhere and they’re for tonight, but when I didn’t get you on the phone, I thought I would come see if you’re interested. I didn’t realize…” Her voice trailed off quietly, thrilling Lars once again. Any other girl would have screamed and made a scene at having been on a date with a guy only a day ago, and then finding another girl in his apartment while he walked around in a towel. Instead, Michelle made her apologies and moved to leave.
    “No, it’s not what you think, that’s my ex-girlfriend. She just showed up! Tell me about this ‘opportunity,’ I’d love to go.” Lars smiled broadly, still holding the edge of his towel tightly to make sure nothing else humiliating happened.
    “You don’t even know what it is,” Michelle said, smiling a little.
    “It doesn’t matter! You said tickets, that’s a magic word to guys. So, what are these tickets for? Basketball? A movie? Horse racing, maybe?”
    “The museum,” she replied, watching with a grin as Lars’ face fell ever so slightly, only to be replaced by one very fake smile.
    “Yeah! The museum! Gotta love some of that!” Lars said, trying to mask his surprise with an abundance of enthusiasm. Michelle wasn’t so easily convinced.
    “You’re freezing, you need to go back inside. Really, it’s no big thing, just some tickets my roommate’s dad gave her. She can’t