Page 61 of Manhattan State of Mind

“It’s a company apartment closer to the office—it’s yours whenever you need it.” Looks like I’m a liar too, but I’ll spook her if I say it’s one of my personal apartments.

She looks totally thrown, her mouth opening and closing in a struggle to voice her thoughts.

“No need to say anything. Just take the key.”

“Thanks.” She stares between me and the key like I’ve handed her literal gold. “I don’t know what to say.”

I grunt dismissively, wishing she wouldn’t be so flustered by my supposed acts of kindness. “It’s fine.”

Her breath hitches, eyes locked on mine. The silence between us stretches, the air crackling with an electric tension. I know she feels this too.

“Lucy,” I murmur, gazing down at her. “Look, it might not seem like it right now but you’re doing just fine. You’re a strong, resilient woman.”

She responds with a dismissive laugh. “Not sure I agree with you right now.”

She’s always been stronger than she gives herself credit for. “Trust me, the way you’re handling this? It’s pretty damn admirable.”

I force myself to step back before I do something stupid like kiss her. “I should go. Get some rest and don’t stay out too late tonight.”

She nods. “Thanks, again. I really appreciate everything. Okay… bye then.”

I watch her walk at the pace of a snail down the street, knowing there is no way she can get inside any of these apartments.

“Lucy,” I call out, my voice carrying over the noise of the crowded street, and she turns.

“I’m looking forward to spending time with you in Bear Mountain,” I say, smiling as her cheeks redden.

She gives me a soft smile back, and for the first time since this nightmare began, despite my crushing fear of the moment she’ll uncover the truth about my past actions, I allow myself a sliver of hope.

SIXTEEN

Lucy

The door slams behind me and I collapse against it, heart jackhammering.

What. The. Fuck.

Did I hallucinate Nice Wolfe back there?

I need an ice bath now to shock that ride out of my system. I wonder if Wolfe is going to include those in his fancy wellness retreats.

I couldn’t tell if his piercing gaze was because I was writhing around on those leather seats or if the tension was all in my depraved imagination.

“Hello?” I shout into the empty space.

Silence. Fantastic. It looks like Spider is off doing his nude modeling.

I let out a long breath, resting my head against the door. I don’t think I can handle any more interactions with Wolfe in confined spaces. The guy blows hot and cold too violently. One moment he’s all charm, the next he’s eyeing me like I’m a postal thief trying to pilfer his precious mail.

He’s the most sexual man I’ve ever encountered, even when he’s not doing anything particularly sexy. When his hands tightened around the steering wheel, my lady parts imagined them tightening around my ass. They screamedTake me with your big man hands!

Perhaps I should’ve told him I live in another state just to extend the ride.

“Get a grip, you horny woman,” I say out loud, staggering toward the sink to get water.

For a wild moment back there, I thought he was actually going to kiss me when he helped me out of the car. Were it not for the fact that he’s JP Wolfe, I’d dare say he wasflirtingwith me.

“He said I’m strong and resilient,” I mutter to myself, a strange lump forming in my throat. Is this really how he sees me? Or is this another one of his strategies?