Read Online Darius (Starkis Family #5) by Cheryl Douglas - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Cheryl Douglas
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least it had a dresser with mirror, a real bed, and a single nightstand.
“So that’s it. You’ve seen the whole place.” She pushed past me as though she couldn’t wait to get out of there.
“Hey,” I said, gripping her wrist and hauling her back against my chest. I curled my arms around her, and it took her a minute to relax, so I knew she wasn’t comfortable with the idea of being confined. “We’re gonna make this better, Chels. You’ll see. You won’t even recognize it when I’m finished.”
“Um, I hate to ask,” she said, her voice low, “because obviously I know the place needs work and we’re really grateful you’ll be making improvements, but do you think you’ll have to raise the rent a lot?”
“Not a penny,” I whispered in her ear.
“Darius, we don’t want charity. It’s only fair we—”
“What you’ve been paying for this place, in its current state, is anything but fair. Once I make the improvements, then it’ll be worth what you’re paying. I’ve done my homework. The average rent in this area for a two-bedroom is fifteen hundred, and this place is far from average. It’s way, way below average.” I kissed her temple to soften my words. “But by the time I’m finished, it’ll be way above average.”
“But shouldn’t the rent reflect that?”
If only she knew how impressed I was with her. The fact that she clearly had nothing but was concerned about being fair to someone with my resources blew my mind. “That landlord hasn’t been fair to you all along. You’ve been paying a lot more than you should for this place. All I’m doing is making things right.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “No one has ever…” She shook her head when her voice caught. “I’m just really not used to people doing nice things for me without expecting something in return.”
“For the record, renovating your apartment has nothing to do with the fact that I’m attracted to you. I’d be doing this if you lived here with your husband because it’s the right thing to do.” She stiffened in my arms, and I could tell right away that I’d said something wrong. “What is it? What—”
“Let’s just go,” she said, grabbing my hand. “I need to get out of here.”
Chapter Six
Chelsea
Darius said he was craving pizza, so he talked me into walking down the street with him so we could share one. When he’d mentioned a husband earlier, I was so tempted to tell him about Shaun, to explain that what had happened with him was why I could never get close to another man. But in the end, I’d chickened out. Maybe because I selfishly wanted just a little more time with him before I dropped the bomb.
“We like our pizza the same way,” Darius said, winking at me over the mouth-watering deep-dish pie. “That has to be a good sign, right?”
“I think you’re reaching now, Starkis.”
I rarely had money for takeout, so the last couple of nights had been a rare treat. My dinners usually consisted of cold cereal, ramen noodles, or microwave Kraft dinners. I made spaghetti with tomato sauce when I felt like splurging. My diet meant I was probably seriously deficient in a lot of nutrients, but I hoped I wouldn’t have to live like this forever.
“Have you thought any more about my offer to manage the club?”
“Sure, I’ve thought about it.” Full-time hours and a salary would mean I could quit the bartending job I hated. Serving alcohol to a bunch of drunk asses with two sets of hands was not my idea of a good time. “But I don’t want to get my hopes up. You still have to figure out whether you really want to take this club on. It’s a lot given how busy you are.”
I didn’t know why I felt the need to remind him of that. Darius buying the club and building could be great for me, both personally and professionally, but I’d learned a long time ago that when I looked forward to something, I often got disappointed. I tried to keep my wishful thinking
“So that’s it. You’ve seen the whole place.” She pushed past me as though she couldn’t wait to get out of there.
“Hey,” I said, gripping her wrist and hauling her back against my chest. I curled my arms around her, and it took her a minute to relax, so I knew she wasn’t comfortable with the idea of being confined. “We’re gonna make this better, Chels. You’ll see. You won’t even recognize it when I’m finished.”
“Um, I hate to ask,” she said, her voice low, “because obviously I know the place needs work and we’re really grateful you’ll be making improvements, but do you think you’ll have to raise the rent a lot?”
“Not a penny,” I whispered in her ear.
“Darius, we don’t want charity. It’s only fair we—”
“What you’ve been paying for this place, in its current state, is anything but fair. Once I make the improvements, then it’ll be worth what you’re paying. I’ve done my homework. The average rent in this area for a two-bedroom is fifteen hundred, and this place is far from average. It’s way, way below average.” I kissed her temple to soften my words. “But by the time I’m finished, it’ll be way above average.”
“But shouldn’t the rent reflect that?”
If only she knew how impressed I was with her. The fact that she clearly had nothing but was concerned about being fair to someone with my resources blew my mind. “That landlord hasn’t been fair to you all along. You’ve been paying a lot more than you should for this place. All I’m doing is making things right.”
“Thank you,” she whispered. “No one has ever…” She shook her head when her voice caught. “I’m just really not used to people doing nice things for me without expecting something in return.”
“For the record, renovating your apartment has nothing to do with the fact that I’m attracted to you. I’d be doing this if you lived here with your husband because it’s the right thing to do.” She stiffened in my arms, and I could tell right away that I’d said something wrong. “What is it? What—”
“Let’s just go,” she said, grabbing my hand. “I need to get out of here.”
Chapter Six
Chelsea
Darius said he was craving pizza, so he talked me into walking down the street with him so we could share one. When he’d mentioned a husband earlier, I was so tempted to tell him about Shaun, to explain that what had happened with him was why I could never get close to another man. But in the end, I’d chickened out. Maybe because I selfishly wanted just a little more time with him before I dropped the bomb.
“We like our pizza the same way,” Darius said, winking at me over the mouth-watering deep-dish pie. “That has to be a good sign, right?”
“I think you’re reaching now, Starkis.”
I rarely had money for takeout, so the last couple of nights had been a rare treat. My dinners usually consisted of cold cereal, ramen noodles, or microwave Kraft dinners. I made spaghetti with tomato sauce when I felt like splurging. My diet meant I was probably seriously deficient in a lot of nutrients, but I hoped I wouldn’t have to live like this forever.
“Have you thought any more about my offer to manage the club?”
“Sure, I’ve thought about it.” Full-time hours and a salary would mean I could quit the bartending job I hated. Serving alcohol to a bunch of drunk asses with two sets of hands was not my idea of a good time. “But I don’t want to get my hopes up. You still have to figure out whether you really want to take this club on. It’s a lot given how busy you are.”
I didn’t know why I felt the need to remind him of that. Darius buying the club and building could be great for me, both personally and professionally, but I’d learned a long time ago that when I looked forward to something, I often got disappointed. I tried to keep my wishful thinking
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