Page 15 of Kill for a Kiss

“Elle,” he repeats my name. Then, he grins.

The expression is bright and boyish in a way that doesn’t make sense for someone so big.

“Nice to meet you,” he says easily, stepping forward. “Sorry if I spooked ya. I forget I take up space.”

I grip my teacup, not knowing what to say, but Clo’s expectant gaze lingers. So I clear my throat, nodding. “Nice to meet you too.”

Stanley’s grin doesn’t fade. If anything, it grows. “You’ve got a soft voice,” he says. “That means you’re the quiet, observant type, huh?”

My fingers tighten around the porcelain again. I’m afraid it might crack. But I’m tense, since I don’t know how to respond to the way he’s speaking to me. I’m not sure what Clo would approve of me to do. So I turn to Clo, and she chuckles before speaking. “You’re always so quick to read people, Stanley.”

“Can’t help it.” He settles into a seat with the kind of relaxed ease that suggests he’s comfortable anywhere. “So,” he leans forward slightly toward me, resting his arms on the table. “What’s Ma got you doing around here, Elle?”

I blink, staring back at him. His attention is sodirect. Before I can answer, Clo does it for me. “Elle is my stylist,” she says, stirring her coffee. “She’s been staying at our home lately. It’s easier this way since I’d be absolutely lost without her.”

Stanley hums in approval, nodding at me. “Nice. That explains why you look so put together.”

I blink again. His presence is bewildering. A second ago, I thought he might be dangerous. Now, I don’t know what to think.

Clo watches me from over the rim of her cup. “You like working for me, don’t you, darling?”

I straighten slightly. “I…likeworking for Clo.”

Stanley grins. “Yeah? Then we’re lucky to have you. And I’d bet you’re the sort of rare most people don’t see coming.”

His words continue to catch me off guard. I glance at Clo instinctively, and she gives me a pleased smile. I look back at Stanley. He’s still watching me, warm and waiting. And so, despite the tension in my chest, I feel my fingers start to loosen around my cup.

4

Elle

They chat for a moment longer while I listen, but a knock on the glass door interrupts us. Clo barely glances up as a maid steps inside. “Ma’am, your guests are estimated to arrive early to the coastline venue meeting.”

Clo sighs, setting her full coffee down with a clink. “How punctual.” She rises, casting a glance at Stanley. “I trust you’ll keep Elle company while I’m away.”

Stanley grins, leaning back in his chair. “Oh, I’lldefinitelykeep her company.” His gaze goes to me, teasing. “I think she’s enjoying it already.”

I blink, caught off guard yet again.

“Stay as long as you like, darling.” Clo tilts her head toward me, a knowing smile playing at her lips. “Stanley is good company.”

With that, she leaves, the click of her heels fading down the hall.

The moment the door closes, it feels like the room shifts, as if a new tension entered in her absence.

Stanley stretches his arms over the back of his chair. “Well, looks like it’s just the two of us now.”

I nod stiffly, feeling utterly out of my depth. My fingers tightenaround the edge of my teacup, and I glance down at the cooling liquid, hoping to find something to ground me.

But then I look up while I drink. Stanley is watching me intently, his gaze piercing and assessing again. That teasing glint is still there, and it sets off an unsettling awareness that I can’t shake.

He leans forward slightly, his voice dipping low. “Am I making you nervous, Elle?”

My heart skips as my eyes widen in surprise.

“You’re all stiff, like I might bite or something.” His grin widens as if he’s enjoying the effect he’s having on me. “I mean, Icouldbite, but only if you asked nicely.”

Heat floods my neck. I try to swallow, but it feels like my throat is tightening. “I—”