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Beth Creedy had one hell of a poker face. Probably useful in her line of work.
Still, I had a vague sense she wasn’t asking merely out of politeness.
“It’s probably best if you have somebody with you,” she added, still holding Tina’s hand. “The shock of this alone…most people find comfort in being with someone after such an event.”
“Can’t imagine why.” Tina’s attempt at humor fell flat. She tugged her hand from Beth’s and turned to me. “I don’t want to be here anymore.”
Forty-Eight
Tina
The acrid scentof smoke still clung to my nasal passages.
Or at least the memory of it remained.
I’d showered three times since James had taken me to his place last night. But that oily, dirty stink felt like it had stained me all the way through.
James nearly bumped into me as I paused in the doorway of my small office, dressed in a new pantsuit. I’d let James buy it for me—afterhe’d agreed to let me pay him back once I dealt with the insurance shit. My eyes darted around.
“I don’t even know why I’m here. If somebody comes in, I’ll probably fall apart.” I threw a hand up in the air and mimicked what I would say to a customer. “Thanks for calling. Did you know my home burned to the ground last night? What kind of design needs are you shopping for?”
James nudged me farther into the office before locking the door behind us.
“Easy solution. Just stay closed for business today,” he said.
I gave him a deflated look.
“I’m serious. You just went through a harrowing event. Wouldyouexpect someone you used for services to open their business after a similar situation?”
“Well, no.” Huffing out a sigh, I said, “Fine. But I need to put up a note or something on the door—and call the lady next door, see if she’ll take any deliveries.”
Fifteen minutes later, James and I stood in the small space I’d set aside for a break area.
“You want to go back to my place?” he asked, his hand cradling my cheek. “Or if you like, we can pick up some more clothes for you. Lingerie, perhaps…?”
The question came out purely innocent, but I saw the hint of a smile. He was trying to distract me.
There were better ways to do that.
I rose onto my toes and nipped at his jaw, pressing my hands to his chest before kissing my way up to his ear.
“Maybe later. But for now…I think I’ll let you decide how we spend the next hour. Master.”
Sexual awareness sparked around us, James’ body going taut.
As he eased back, he skimmed a hand up my side, the palm brushing over the curve of my breast. My nipples were already tight and his light caress made them ache.
“Are you suggesting I fuck you here in your office, Tina?” He closed his hand around my throat, thumb resting in the hollow there, right above the collar.
Desire filled my body as he said those words, his tone lowered and cool, his face turning remote.
“Well?” He shifted his grip so he could press his thumb under my chin and tip my head back to look in my eyes. “Is that what you want?”
“Yes.”
“Yes,what, Tina?” He lowered his head, lips a bare breath from mine, and I tried to close the distance, to kiss him.
He wouldn’t let me.