Page 14

“Yeah. I mean, I’m going to be staying right next door, and we sort of um—well, we kissed. I feel like I should know the man I kissed, the man who I’m making deals with. Right?”
I turn back to her. “Some things are better left in the dark.”
“Not this.” She shakes her head. “I don’t want to make another mistake or have another incident.”
“Another incident? What do you mean?”
Her cheeks flush pink. “Nothing. I just mean I don’t want to screw this up. Finding Xanny is the most important thing to me, okay?”
“I get it.” I soften. I have to. This little angel in front of me practically demands it. She isn’t used to me or my thorny world. “And I’ve already promised my help. Once we make our deal, we’re going to find your sister.”And the money. And the asshole who yanked Marvin right out from under me. The money I couldn’t care less about. But that guy, that utter piece of shit who could’ve killed Zoey and who practically promised he’d do so–he has to go. She and her sister won’t be safe until he’s out of the picture.
“Can I wear this downstairs? I don’t have any other clothes.”
I stare at her, at the way my shirt drapes along her shoulders and flows along her breasts, the nipples tenting the fabric. The hem teases her thighs. Every bit of her is mouthwatering, a delectable treat meant only for me. “Absolutely not.”
“Oh.” She frowns.
“I’ll have Madge–my housekeeper–bring something up. I sent a courier to do some shopping for you last night. Madge took the sizes from the things you’d been wearing.” I’d inspected her club clothes before handing them off to Madge. Imayhave inhaled her scent off them and gotten irrationally angry that there weren’t any panties in the pile.
“I have clothes at the trailer.”
“No.” I cross my arms over my chest. “You won’t be going back to that hell hole.”
She licks her lips, her eyes on my body.
“If you keep staring at me like that, little one, I’ll bend you over that bed and make you moan.”
“What?” She swallows hard.
It just slipped out. Truly. I need to slow down. Even so, when she licks her lips again, my cock kicks against my pajama pants.
“I’ll send Madge.” I practically growl the words and force myself away from her door. If I don’t, I’ll make good on my threat.
I run a hand through my hair and try to calm the rampaging beat of my heart. After all, Iwillmake good on my threat.
All in good time.