Page 24 of Legacy

She sighs into the receiver and the small noise travels straight to my cock. What the fuck is wrong with me? I have to be broken. I forwent an easy lay and popped a boner from a sigh. “No, I’m just in bed now and I don’t feel like texting. Can I come to your next party? I think I might need to talk to Chase.”

Never. They can never cross paths again. My new life’s mission. “Sure, though he’s going to be traveling a lot for his work. He owns a nightclub in London.”

“You’re kidding me. Small world.”

I clear my throat as I sit straight in my chair. “Why do you want to talk to Chase?”

“I don’t know. If he’s your oldest friend, maybe he’ll tell me some dirt on you. Something to hang over your head whenever you feel like blabbing about my secrets.”

I’m relieved it has nothing to do with her ex. “I bring secrets to my grave. Don’t worry about that. Did the paps follow you home or were you good?”

Aarabelle groans. “Yeah. But they left when they realized I wasn’t leaving my house. My mom said it should die down soon. The whole clamoring for information about me. Don’t think I’m pompous or anything like that. It’s just…I’m not used to the attention. I was a plain girl my whole life. Focused. Predictable.”

Hot.

“I have a brand-new life with an old start.” Her voice sounds sleepy. “My past is tainting my present.”

It makes my lids half-mast. I push off my chair and make the trek to my master bedroom. It’s as I left it this morning. Immaculate. My cologne hangs in the air in my bathroom from when I changed for the get-together.

“I don’t like that you live by yourself.”

Aarabelle scoffs. “Don’t patronize me. Like I can’t take care of myself, Hart.”

“You underestimate people. That’s the first rule of being a Team guy. Never underestimate your enemy. Always think they’re ten steps ahead of you. Assume they’re smarter. Stronger. Faster. Assume they will kill you before you can kill them.”

She’s quiet as she lets that simmer. “That’s actually good information. Thanks, Hart.”

“More than a pretty face,” I counter. “I’m the whole package.”

“Your face isn’t pretty,” she replies. “It’s masculine.”

“Masculine hot, or masculine grandpa?” I ask, half teasing, mostly not.

“Hmmmm. You know you’re hot. You wouldn’t get all the club chicks if you weren’t.”

I speak before thinking. “What if I don’t want the club chicks anymore? Am I hot enough for you?”