Page 45 of Swerve (Boosted Hearts 1)

“Don’t,” he rasped. “Not one fucking word, Ruby.”

I wasn’t stupid enough to push it. Not this time.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Ruby

I followed Neco into his place and saw Jude had already dropped off my bags. They were just inside the door, and I inwardly cursed. Jude stopping by would have been a welcome break from all this tension. I’d been here before of course, but never past the kitchen/living room, and never on my own. The place was spacious, open, clean lines, no clutter, sturdy comfy couches, big screen TV, and not much else.

The door clicked shut behind me and I jumped.

“Bedroom’s down the hall.” He scooped up my bags and started in that direction.

“How many rooms?” I asked, following him.

“Two.” He carried on down to the one at the far end of the hall and used his boot to push the door open.

This was not the spare room. I knew as soon as I walked in. The bed was rumpled. There were boots in the corner, a pair of running shoes. Jeans and a shirt on the floor. Personal stuff on the dresser—deodorant, a watch, a stack of papers . . . a set of cuffs.

It smelled like Neco.

“This is your room,” I said, pointing out the obvious.

“It’s my room,” he said, confirming it in that growly voice. He was still angry.

“I’d rather take the spare room.” He shook his head once. “Okay, the couch.”

“No,” he said.

Now I was getting angry as well. “What do you mean, no?”

His nostrils flared. “For once in your life, can you do what you’re fucking told?”

“Do what I’m told?” I seethed, reaching for my bag, trying to take it from him.

He snatched it back and flung it to the other side of the room. “You sleep here.”

My head jerked back. “I beg your pardon?”

“You heard me.”

This time his voice was so deep it was barely more than a rumble. Despite the violent rage rolling off him, I wasn’t scared of him, and I sure as hell wasn’t a fan of his heavy-handed, confusing-as-fuck behavior.

“This is ridiculous. I am not sleeping with you,” I fired at him.

“Yes. You are.”

“No. I’m goddamn not.” I stalked over and snatched my bag from the floor. “I know you’re pissed at me, okay! I get it, Neco. I’ve taken some wrong turns, screwed everything up, put you in this fucked-up position looking after me again. I know you probably want to strangle me. Hell, I know you hate me right now. But I can’t deal with your temper tantrum.” I pointed to the door. “I’m sleeping in the spare room. I promise I won’t run off and get into more trouble, or whatever you think I’ll do. But I don’t need a fucking babysitter day and night, understand?” I finished, throwing his favorite word back at him.

Those green eyes flashed, locking on me, and I almost took a step back. His hands went to his hips and he was breathing in hard, angry breaths. “Fuck, you’re clueless.”

“Wow. Nice.” My eyes started to sting and that pissed me the hell off. “So I’ve been told . . . quite a few times actually.”

Now it was his turn to flinch. “I didn’t mean it like that . . .”

I shook my head. “Fuck you, Neco. Fuck. You.” Then I stormed toward the door.

He stepped in front of it and kicked it shut.