Blank Space (Dirty South Book 1) Read online

  I didn’t care. “I’ve got this.”

  I stood and made my way toward them. Sydney’s gaze followed me down the stairs. I knew the moment she would run because her eyes darted toward the hallway that led toward the back exit door.

  Not two seconds later she turned and said something to Frat Guy before dashing off toward the exit. I made my way through the crowd, keeping my eyes on the back of her head.

  She’d made it to the door when I grabbed her elbow and spun her around. Those pretty green eyes widened. “Now, where do you think you’re going?”

  She swallowed. “Home. What are you doin’ here? Did you follow me?”

  Yes. I lifted a brow. “And why would I do that?”

  She gave me a tight-lipped grin and rolled her eyes. “I don’t know; you tell me.”

  I pulled her into the light so I could see her face. She hardly had any makeup on, and the thought of seeing her beautiful face makeup free in the morning made me hard. “Have you had any time to think about my offer?”

  She’d had a weeks’ worth of time. That was plenty, but I didn’t push like I wanted to. I knew containing myself would be difficult, but the look of annoyance on her face rode my nerve. “No,” she said, her eyes glancing behind me.

  “Hey!” someone yelled. I didn’t have to look to know who it was. The way he had chugged back all those beers in the short amount of time I was there explained the slur.

  “Crap,” she whispered, closing her eyes.

  I turned around to face him, and his face sobered. “Cash Jenkins?” he asked, his eyes skated toward Sydney. “What—are you going home with him?”

  “No!” she yelled from behind me.

  I stepped forward. “I’ll be taking Sydney home tonight.”

  His brows raised toward his hairline, and he grabbed her arm, tugging her closer to him. “You’re shittin’ me, right? I was dancing with her first. Come on, Sydney. Let’s go back inside.”

  Surprisingly Sydney didn’t make a move. Her eyes cast downward. “Oh, I see. You wanna fuck ‘em because he’s rich, right?”

  Sydney’s fist tightened. “I’m not sleeping with him.”

  He huffed. “That’d be a first.”

  Sydney’s face turned red. Before I knew what I was doing, I stepped forward and grabbed his arm. “Shut your damn mouth. Get out of here before I cram my fist down your throat.”

  He squared off with me for a second but shook his head. “Whatever, she isn’t worth it.” I watched him stagger off.

  Sydney scoffed from beside me. “Wow,” she whispered. “Are you happy now?” She tossed her hands in the air.

  I leaned backward onto my heel and shoved my hands into the depths of my pockets. “Actually, yes, I thought I’d never get rid of him.”

  She gawked at me, her toes tapped against the checkered tile. “What is it that you want?”

  That was a loaded question, and I was sure she didn’t realize the full effect of it. “I want to talk to you about the offer I made.”

  She bit the corner of her bottom lip. “Then let’s talk.”

  I stepped forward and lowered my head. “Somewhere more private, please?” I gritted through my teeth. “The music is too loud.”

  The way her eyes dropped to the floor affirmed her fear. She didn’t even want to look me in the eyes. We’d work on it. “Okay, but you only have two minutes.”

  I shook my head, laughing softly. “No, I’ll have about twenty. I’m takin’ you home.”

  Her jaw tightened, and she finally looked up. “I don’t need a ride home. My friend Frankie is here with me.”

  I pulled out my phone and began to text Ash. “I’ll make sure Ash sees her home safely. Now can we please leave?”

  I could see her raking her mind for something to say. An excuse. Reaching forward I opened the exit door and gestured her outside. With an aggravated huff, she swayed outside.

  My limo sat on the curb; Joey leaned against the back door with crossed ankles.

  I watched her eye him suspiciously. “Is that your driver?”

  I smiled. Joey was ex-military. When my company began to grow, I decided to get someone I could trust to drive me around. Joey and I had been best friends growing up, lived next door to one another. Marine tattoos covered his neck. I didn’t make him wear a suit, he probably would have laughed in my face if I’d asked. Plus, his dark jeans and T-shirt made him look tougher. Not that Joey needed help looking tough. The man was a machine. The dirty grin on his face told me he knew Sydney was gorgeous. “Joey,” I said.

  He opened the door and smiled down at her. “Good evening Ms. Henry. You look beautiful tonight.”

  She tossed me a nervous look before ducking inside.

  “Dude,” he whispered. “Do you know who is sliding into that back seat of your limo?”

  “I’m very aware.”

  Joey dropped his head and chuckled. “Where to?”

  “Her apartment. I’ve texted you the address.”

  Joey grinned. “I’ll drive slow.”

  I slid into the back seat. She’d taken a seat farthest away from me; her eyes examined the alley where we’d parked. She jumped when Joey shut my door.

  I watched her as we pulled out of the alley and toward the main street. “How does he know where I live?”

  Telling her I had my ways would only raise questions. “Who doesn’t know where Sydney Henry lives?”

  She tossed me a dirty look over her shoulder. “Okay, so what do you want to talk about?”

  She still hadn’t turned toward me, and my hand itched to yank her closer. But aggression wouldn’t make a girl like Sydney interested. Grabbing two glasses, I poured her a small amount of white wine. She eyed the glass before taking a long gulp.

  I hid my smile behind my own glass. “Now,” I cleared my throat. “Why haven’t you called me back?”

  She tapped her index finger against the bottom of her glass. “You said if I was interested to call you, I’m not.”

  She’s not? I clutched the wine glass in my hand. “Why don’t you look me in the face when you tell me no? I think we’ve already been over this once. It’s rude to deny me the pleasure of your work and not look me in the eye to tell me.”

  Slowly she turned to face me, her green eyes flickered toward my own. “I don’t understand why you want me to work for you? Why are you pursuing me so hard? I’m hardly famous, Cash. I’m a small town art teacher.”

  She wore her insecurities on her sleeve and didn’t realize it.

  She’d never had a man truly pursue her, and it showed despite that ten-foot wall she’d built around her. “Sydney, I don’t know why you don’t think your work is good, but it is. And I want you to paint for me.”

  Her brows furrowed in frustration. “I—I just don’t know if it’s a good idea.”

  “Which part?”

  She reached over me; her perfume swirled in the air. If I hadn’t had bigger plans for her, I would have shifted her beneath me, took what I already wanted so badly. It had killed me to watch her in those tight jeans. The way her top hugged her curves had me salivating. It’d been years since I felt like a fifteen-year-old horny teenager.

  She grabbed the wine and poured herself another glass. “The living in your guest house part. I don’t understand why I need to stay there?”

  There really wasn’t any logical reason other than I needed her close to me so I could watch her. So I could live up to the bargain I made with her mother. She needed her to stay out of the news, and living in my guest house was the easiest way to make that happen. But I definitely couldn’t tell her that.

  I scooted an inch closer to her. “It’ll be easier. There are several places I want you to paint, including my home. It’ll be easier for us to travel and for you to get finished quickly.”

  She took a sip. “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

  I knew why, but I asked. “Why not?”

  She narrowed her gaze. “Because.”

  Resting
my glass on my knee, I watched her. “Because isn’t an answer. Why?”

  She shrugged, her eyes turned out toward the window. “It’s all I have.”

  Sitting my glass to the side, I slid over another inch; my knee brushed hers. “It’s not a good enough answer, Sydney. You know what I think?” I asked. She tried to nonchalantly move away, but I moved again, diminishing the last inch between us. She nervously swallowed, her left hand wrapped around the edge of the seat. “What?”

  I sat still until she looked me in the eyes. “I think you’re attracted to me. I think you’re scared to be around me. You’re scared to work for me. I see it in those pretty eyes of yours.”

  A tiny noise slipped from her throat. “No,” she whispered. “That’s not true.”

  I held back my grin, placing my arm behind her against the headrest. “Is it not? Maybe that’s the reason you won’t look me in the eyes. Like right now.”

  Her green eyes drug their way slowly up my body to meet mine. “Can you please tell your driver to speed up?”

  Not happening. I slowly shook my head. “No, ma’am, I can’t. Because you’re not getting out until you answer my questions, and we come to terms on you working for me. Sydney, you will work for me.”

  The heat of her body next to mine had me on edge. I slid my hand along the edge of the seat and brushed my fingers against her own. Shivers shook down her arm. “So, are we gonna talk about this? Are you going to tell me if I’m right or not?”

  She squirmed until her back was fully against the door, her body turned toward me. “I don’t think it’s appropriate for my potential future boss to be asking me these questions.”

  I grinned. “No, I suppose it isn’t. But with time you’ll understand that I’m not an entirely appropriate man. I make my own rules.”

  Her eyes drifted to my mouth but shot right back up. “Now tell me why you won’t work for me. Tell me what I can do to get you to work for me?”

  She closed her eyes for the briefest of seconds. “Nothing, because I am attracted to you and it’d never work out. I’d end up giving in and—well, it wouldn’t end well.”

  My cock throbbed. Yes, she’d definitely end up giving in, and I couldn’t wait for it. But wooing her wasn’t taking her straight to my bed. It was the pull of the emotional side versus the sexual side.

  Slowly, I slid my index finger up her wrist to the side of her neck. “You’re definitely beautiful, Ms. Henry.” I held her eyes. “Very beautiful. Do you think you’d regret giving in to me?”

  Pink climbed up her neck. “Sadly, not at all.”

  Need filled me. I wanted to reach out and touch her lip, to slip my hand inside of her tight shirt and feel the weight of her breast in my palm. I wanted it all. “You’ll never know if you don’t take the chance. Don’t let me stop you from taking a job you want, because I know you want it. It’s a great offer, and you love to paint. Take it, Ms. Henry. You won’t regret anything.”

  The limo pulled to a stop, but Sydney didn’t move. She still sat pressed against the door, both hands grasping the handle behind her. Before she opened her mouth to answer, I slipped closer, my body touching hers.

  I lowered my head and brushed my cheek against her smooth skin. “You’re home, Ms. Henry. You have until Monday to give me an answer or I’ll take the one I want.”

  Chapter Six

  Sydney

  I was an idiot.

  The never-ending blonde jokes I’d heard growing up were starting to get to me. Why I stood outside of Cash Jenkins’ office building blew my own mind. Especially after the night before. Head meet pavement.

  I tapped my toe against the sidewalk, my head raced with reasons why I shouldn’t be there, yet, I hadn’t left. The buzzing of my phone bought me a few minutes, but I wished it hadn’t when I saw my mother’s number

  “Sydney.”

  “Mother, this isn’t a good—,”

  “I don’t frankly care if it’s a good time. Your face is all over the paper—again.”

  What? “What for?”

  She scoffed. “You seem genuinely surprised, dear. We should have put you in acting classes. What were you doing with Cash Jenkins?” I stumbled over my thoughts. Had someone seen us get into the back of the limo? But how? “Hello? Do you not remember getting into his limo with him?”

  The limo … yes. I definitely remembered the limo. “He gave me a ride home.”

  “Well, a source said that you and he were involved in a fight with that Sharpe boy.”

  That rat. I rolled my eyes. “Mom, there was no fight. I’ve got to go.”

  “Wait a minute. That doesn’t excuse why you weren’t at dinner last Friday? Your father is livid.”

  I rolled my eyes. “I was busy.”

  “Are you and Cash—together?”

  Sighing, I glanced at the sliding glass doors. “Oh—ouch. I broke my heel; I’ve got to go, bye.” I hung up before she could say anything. Gosh, her voice—it only took her voice to drive me insane.

  After ten more minutes of standing around, I finally mustered up the courage to walk to the front desk.

  The receptionist greeted me with a huge smile. “How may I help you today, Ms.?”

  I nervously looked around the marble room. “I’m, um, here to see Cash Jenkins.”

  Her smile never faltered. “Do you have an appointment?”

  I frowned, playing with the hem of my shirt. “No, I don’t.”

  “Well, Mr. Jenkins doesn’t see anyone without an appointment. You can schedule one if you’d like.”

  I bit my bottom lip. Maybe this is a sign I shouldn’t be here? “No,” I shook my head. “Thank you though.”

  I turned to leave when I heard my name.

  Asher stood at the entrance of the far left hallway. “She’s fine, Melissa. Let her through. Cash is expecting her.”

  Dammit. He knew I’d come. Melissa nodded curtly and went back to her computer. “Well, are you coming or do I need to carry you?”

  I turned to face him. I definitely didn’t need him to carry me. His easygoing demeanor made me nervous. His hair and eyes were the only thing that reminded me of Cash, though. Their personalities couldn’t be more opposite. Cash was serious, broody and intense. The two times I’d seen Asher he’d had a full-blown smile on his face, an easy going demeanor and looked as if he never took anything serious.

  Cash had smelled so good in the limo, his voice deep like a warm velvet on my skin. I’d spent all weekend wide-eyed, doing my best to forget his dare to see him again. He’d basically dared me to work for him. I knew it was reverse psychology but I didn’t want him to know I couldn’t resist him after what happened. If he kissed me, I knew I’d be done for.

  I avoided eye contact as I walked alongside Asher. “So, I guess you’re here to take my brother up on his offer?”

  I nodded. “Yes, but I have a few conditions.”

  Ash lifted a brow. “Oh yeah? I’m dyin’ to hear those conditions.”

  I wasn’t sure if they’d fly with Cash but I had to try. Standing my ground was something I needed to do. If I was going to live at his home, I needed promised privacy. And unlimited paint. And no more almost kissing. Or any kissing.

  “I gave your friend Frankie a ride home.”

  I raised a brow. I hadn’t talked to her. My phone had died after the party, and I’d spent most of the weekend nervous as hell to talk to Cash again, so I didn’t bother charging it. “I assume she’s home safely?”

  Asher tucked his hands into his pockets. “Safe and sound. She’s a fireball, that one.”

  I didn’t have time to respond before he stopped. “Here we are,” Asher said, opening the door to a huge office.

  Stepping forward, I walked through the threshold. The line of glass windows overlooked Savannah’s lazy streets below. The mahogany wood beneath my feet was spotless, and matched his huge desk.

  “Sydney,” I heard his deep voice from my right. I turned to face him, my stomach turned somersaults inside
of me. A knowing smirk blessed his face. The same scruff on his jaw that touched my cheek three nights before contrasted with his light green eyes. The lips that’d almost tasted mine were plump, I tightened my thighs. “I’m so glad you decided to come. Come have a seat.”

  He took a few steps from behind his desk and pulled out a chair for me. Nervously, I clutched my contract and took the offered seat. His black dress pants fit his butt so well. I had to turn my eyes not to stare.

  “So, Sydney,” he said, taking a seat. “Have you made a decision about the offer yet?”

  I cleared my throat. “Yes, I have.” I slid the contract toward him. “Here are my conditions. I’ve marked them in red.”

  Cash’s eyes lowered to the contract, and he grinned. It was the first full-blown smile I’d seen on him, and it made my insides melt. “Conditions?” I watched as he read over the four short pages. Sweat built on my upper lip when he got to the last page.

  The tips of my fingers curled around the edge of the chair. I knew when he got to the last part I’d written in because his gaze lifted to meet mine. “I’ll agree to everything but the last two.”

  The last two were the most important. I needed my weekends off, and I needed him to promise that he’d never get that close to me again. I couldn’t feel like I wanted him that badly. It would turn to hell quickly.

  “And why not?” I asked.

  Cash dropped the contract and leaned backward in his chair, both hands interlaced over his flat stomach. “Because I need you with me on the weekends. We’ll be traveling to Dallas mostly on the weekends.”

  I interlaced my hands over my crossed knee, ignoring the elephant in the room. The second issue was the no kissing me problem. “I have Friday night dinners with my parents.”

  Cash ran the tip of his tongue against the corner of his mouth. “Well, you certainly weren’t there this Friday.”

  Heat engulfed my cheeks. “I was angry with them, so I didn’t go. I hope you can remember past last week; I was there the Friday before. With you. Why was that?”

  Cash never flinched. “Your father and I have business together.”