Page 84 of Chandelier Sin
She shook her head. “I’m trying to warn you.”
“I can’t respect a woman who trades a friend’s life for a Ferrari.”
“What?”
“Aemon’s saving the surprise for when he needs you compliant.”
“We’re not like that,” she bit out. “And I don’t ask for or need anything.” Her expression changed for a fleeting moment, and then that look was gone.
“Regret coming here?”
“I had no choice.”
I rubbed my brow, tired of the day, and hating to see her wavering. But I knew she was still the enemy.
I made a point of glancing at my watch, like she was wasting my fucking time.
“If you see me at Pendulum,” she said, “don’t talk to me.”
“No problem.”
“I’m leaving.”
“They don’t validate here.”
“A driver brought me.” She paused, taking in my white coat and scrubs as though seeing me as a surgeon for the first time.
“What?” I asked when she continued to stare at my attire.
“You have blood on your scrubs.”
I glanced down. “I pinched a fry from a colleague. It’s ketchup.”
“How can you tell?”
I smirked. “If I can’t tell, we’re in trouble.”
“You didn’t change your scrubs?”
“Emergency came in. Didn’t have time.”
“You operated on them?”
“Yes.” I added, “I wear a surgical gown over this, obviously.”
Her gaze met mine. “Did they make it?”
I forced a smile. “Why are you asking? So you can snuff out any sign of life if they did?”
She rolled her eyes. “I hear you live in Playa del Rey. Right on the beach.”
“Stop by and visit. I’ll relieve your sexual frustration. Give you the second orgasm of your life.”
She pointed her index finger at me. “Nothing happened between us.”
“You mean me going down on you?”
“You’re abhorrent.”
