Hard Time (Hard as Nails #1) by Hope Conrad Page B

pushes past me. “It’s a yes.”
    “Then I’ll see you Friday night,” I say as she reaches for the doorknob.
    “You have to work tomorrow.”
    “Oh yeah.” I’d taken today off, figuring I’d need to chill out after Edgar’s visit.
    “So, I’ll see you at two.” She swings the door open. “I’ve got an exam Friday morning and then I’m taking the rest of the day off. But if you’re a good boy and get all your work done, then we’ll go out on a date Friday night.”
    “Fine,” I grumble under my breath, knowing she was enjoying having some power over me after what I’d done. But I don’t begrudge her that. She’s giving me a second chance. I’m more than willing to put in some hard work if it means getting to take her out on a proper date. As she swings the door shut behind her, my eyes are drawn to her perfect, taut ass, and the way her cheeks move in the dark denim. Yeah, I’d do just about anything for this girl.
    I’m startled as the door is thrown back open, a mental case of whiplash. She stands in the doorframe with one hand gripped to her hip. “Why did you leave so abruptly last night?”
    I’m torn between telling her the truth and stretching the answer out into some kind of a lying game. I settle on the truth, for maybe one of the first times in my life when it comes to a woman. “I just needed to breathe.”
    “That’s what windows are for.”
    “Right,” I say again and brush my thumb against my lip. “The truth is…what we did destroyed me. You’re all I can think about and that’s fucking frightening. And I ran because that’s all I’ve ever done and what I’m good at. How’s that for honesty, Princess?”
    She just stares at me without blinking, but her eyes seem just a touch glassier.
    I take a step closer. “Are you—”
    “I’ll see you at work tomorrow, Street.”
    “That’s it? I open my soul to you and that’s it?”
    Her mouth quirks and she nods. “Yep. That’s it.”
    She walks out and softly closes the door behind her, leaving me in a state of frustration and confusion.
    But I smile wide, because underneath it all, I’m relieved. I’m elated.
    She’s giving me another chance.
    And this time, I’m determined not to blow it.
     
     

Chapter Twelve
     
     
    Katie
     
    It’s been an unusual day in the shop. Street has worked non-stop from the second he first walked in the door. And for the four hours that followed, he’s done everything he was supposed to do and more, all without taking a lunch break or anything.
    I know exactly why he’s been the perfect little worker bee—he wants to ensure he’s able to take me to dinner tomorrow night. Though I’m sure what comes after dinner is what he’s really looking forward to.
    I am, too.
    He told me whether we had sex again was totally up to me.
    And of course we’re going to have sex again.
    I’m not foolish enough to think otherwise. If I can fuck him in my car and then go to his apartment after the way he left, I’m obviously in this for as long as he’ll let me be. Or at least for as long as we can sustain things before we crash and burn.
    I’ve never done drugs but I can’t imagine being addicted to anything more than I am Street. There’s something about him that makes me feel , and I’m not just talking about desire. Maybe it’s because of where he is with his own life—trying to put his mistakes behind him and get a fresh start, no matter how much people doubt him—that makes me feel like I can do the same. The past few days, when I’ve been in class, wanting to cry because I feel I’m not smart enough to pass my tests, or wanting to quit school because I miss being with Riley or feel guilty for how much I rely on Dee, it’s been thoughts of Street and what he’s been through that gave me strength.
    I’m in too deep in this dangerous game we’ve entangled ourselves but I can’t put on the brakes. I want to savor the drive, and every twist and turn along the way. I want to