Rush

A victory that wasn’t completely solidified. Instead it was an ongoing war of wills.
     One she fought every single day.
    The need for oblivion. Just that short window of time where everything felt better
     and more manageable. When things looked up, even if for a few short hours.
    She couldn’t go back to that. She’d fought too hard to make it out and she’d lost
     everything in the process. Some might say that would be even more reason to allow
     herself that slow slide back into the inky past. But she had to be strong. She wasn’t
     that person any longer.
    “Your boyfriend?”
    The dry question startled her and she whirled around, her heart racing as she took
     in the man standing across the kitchen, staring at her.
    He was one of the richies. A guest at the party. More than just a guest, as Bethany
     had seen him close to the honorees. And God, but the man was gorgeous. Smooth. Polished.
     Like he’d stepped right out of a magazine solely devoted to everything beautiful and
     wealthy. A world she damn well didn’t belong in.
    He shoved his hands into those expensive slacks and continued to stare at her, his
     pose indolent and arrogant. His green eyes flicked over her as if judging her, almost
     as if he were considering whether to deem her worthy. Of what? His notice? It was
     a ridiculous thought.
    He had blond hair—although not just plain blond. And she’d never really been attracted
     to blond men, but his hair wasn’t simply blond. It had at least four different shades,
     ranging from muddy to wheat and all shades in between. He was so gorgeous that it
     hurt to look at him.
    “You going to answer me?” he asked mildly.
    Mutely she shook her head, and to her surprise he laughed.
    “Is that no you’re not going to answer me, or no he’s not your boyfriend?”
    “He’s not my boyfriend,” she whispered.
    “Thank fuck for that,” he muttered.
    She blinked in complete surprise and then her eyes narrowed as he advanced toward
     her. Quickly she moved to the side so she wouldn’t be pinned against the door. She
     couldn’t leave, so running wasn’t an option. She needed the other half of her pay
     too badly and she wanted that food.
    But just as quickly he closed in on her again, moving into her space until her pulse
     leapt erratically and she began to eye the alley door, suddenly uncaring whether she’d
     get paid or not.
    “What’s your name?”
    She glanced up at him. “Um, does it matter?”
    He paused a moment, cocked his head to the side and then said, “Yeah. It matters.”
    “Why?” she whispered.
    “Because we’re not in the habit of fucking women we don’t know the name of,” he said
     bluntly.
    Whoa. There was so much wrong with that statement she didn’t even know where to begin.
     She put her hand up in automatic defense before he could get any closer.
    “We?” she demanded. “
We
? What are you talking about? Who the hell is
we
? And I’m not fucking anyone. You. We. They. No way.”
    “Jace wants you.”
    “Who the fuck is Jace?”
    “And I’ve decided I want you.”
    She barely suppressed her snarl of rage. Barely. She gritted her teeth and then went
     on the attack.
    “I am not putting up with sexual harassment on the job. I’m filing a complaint and
     then I’m out of here.”
    To her further surprise he merely grinned and then reached out to touch her cheek.
    “Cool your jets, sweetheart. I’m not harassing. I’m propositioning. Big difference.”
    “Maybe in your book,” she pointed out.
    He shrugged like he didn’t particularly care if she agreed.
    “Who the hell is Jace?” she repeated. “And who are you? You don’t proposition a woman
     without giving your name. And you have problems not knowing a woman’s name before
     going to bed with her? What is wrong with you? You didn’t even introduce yourself.”
    He laughed again and it was a warm hum that felt so good she wanted to hang on to
     it forever. It was a carefree sound and she bitterly resented it. Was so jealous she
     wanted to burn with envy. This was a man who had no problems. Had no cares. Except
     who he wanted to go to bed with next.
    “My name is Ash. Jace is my best friend.”
    Her eyes narrowed. “And you both ‘want’ me.”
    He nodded. “Yeah. Not so unusual. We share women. A lot. Threesomes. You ever had
     one? Because if not, I guarantee we’ll make it an experience you won’t forget.”
    Her nostrils flared. “Yeah. I have. Nothing