Page 28 of A Sinner's Virtue

Me:

Coming up with design ideas.

Marcel:

What are you doing over the weekend?

Me:

Nothing really. Probably staying in.

Marcel:

I could have the jet come and get you. Bring you here.

Me:

I don’t think we’re at the meet-the-family stage yet. Besides, I have laundry to do this weekend.

Marcel:

You and I both know you have housekeepers, Zoe.

How the hell does he know that?

Technically, Mikhail and Izzy have housekeepers. I’m living in their house. As much as I tried to tell them I didn’t need staff, my adoptive parents insist on making my life as easy and carefree as they can.

Me:

I’m washing my hair.

Marcel:

I could wash it for you. I’d make it… pleasurable.

Damn it. Now I’m thinking about being in a shower with the man. I don’t have time to contemplate just how pleasurable Marcel could make things. Not right now anyway. Later tonight, when I’m alone in my bed, that’s when I’ll revisit the idea.

Me:

I have no doubt. But I’m staying home, and you’re enjoying your brother’s wedding.

Marcel:

Expect me at your front door Monday night. You’ll be my first stop when I land.

Me:

Okay. Have fun.

I throw my phone back into my purse and continue with the list I was putting together before the interruption.

***

My heels land halfway down the foyer as I kick them off my feet. The thud of my bag falling onto the entry table rings out through my ears. I’m exhausted. A good kind of exhausted, but exhausted all the same.

“What did those red bottoms do to you?”

I jump ten feet in the air at the sound of the voice, before a squeal escapes me and I’m running towards its owner at lightning speed. “Izzy, oh my god! What, when? How are you here?” I ask, throwing my arms around her neck.