Page 29 of Miles Apart
Justice’s brow hikes. “That expression. You already said you like a man here.”
“I said I was unsettled.”
“Same difference.”
Nope, not doing this. I hop up from the wingback chair with an eye roll. “Your little black dress is cutting off circulation to your common sense.”
The breath I’m holding burns my throat. If Justice suspects something is off, we’ll spend the next four hours dissecting feelings I don’t have for a certain fruit-stealing penis wrinkle. What is there to talk about? Miles and I messed around. We might have sex. It’s not breaking news, but if Jay is this giddy about the prospect of something more, I’ll take this to my grave. Damn those Hallmark movies, for real.
“Don’t you have a man to let down?”
Justice is meeting with Preston, and Terrence is meeting with Madison to tell each of them about their reconciliation.
Time drags on through silent looks until my cell vibrates in my pocket. Justice nods to it with a smirk. “You should get that.”
I sigh and pull it out. “It’s not a big deal.”
The butterflies in my stomach still at the message from Carter, reminding me to meet him in the lobby in ten minutes. My hair and makeup are done. All that’s missing is the floor-length gown hanging on my door, the one I brought in case of a special occasion or emergency.
I don’t bother with a response. After his stunt last night, he can stay on read. I know when to be downstairs. The question is, will Miles? I haven’t seen or heard from him since yesterday, and I don’t have his number to ask if he plans on showing up. Justice does, but then I’d have to explain why I need it, and Detective Nosy is already eyeing me with a toothy grin.
“It’s him, isn’t it? The man.”
“This conversation is over,” I say in a huff over my shoulder on the way to my room.
We really did luck out with our suite.
The palette of linens and shades of gray against hardwood flooring and the backdrop of the valley next to the fireplace are reason enough for Justice and Terrence to hole up in here.
I swipe the dress off the French door and toss my phone on the bed. Justice plops next to it like she has nowhere to be. I figured she wouldn’t let up, but damn. “My father requested I attend one of his fundraiser dinners.” The robe pools at my feet, revealing my low-slung black thong bodysuit. Changing in front of each other has never been an issue since Justice and I started doing it in high school. “I’ll be back later tonight.”
“That could be fun. You love good champagne, and maybe you’ll bag a congressperson,” Justice says with a smile even she doesn’t believe in. I’m in store for a night of highbrow cuisineand stuck-up politicians who feed off each other’s bullshit. The perfect way to spend a Saturday night.
The straps of my black dress settle in place. The slit is high on my thigh but not high enough for my mother to lose a pearl over the “indecency.” I step into the bathroom for a final look.
“Who’s picking you up? I know it’s not your daddy,” Justice calls from the room. She’s been around long enough to notice him missing in action. I spend more time with her family than my own.
My stomach grumbles. “Carter.” I step back into the room to catch her teasing grin.
Justice’s hands lift in surrender. “I’m not saying anything, except”—here we go—“you two have chemistry and years’ worth of pent-up sexual tension. I get he’s—”
“A self-absorbed asshole.”
“But maybe he’ll change his tune if he knows he has a real shot with you.”
Peel away Carter’s looks and conquerer mentality, and you have a man I can’t stand pretty much every day of the week. On paper, we work. Beyond that, I’d speed up to the “until death do us part.”
“Don’t hold your breath, sweetie. Enjoy your night, and good luck.”
She stands for another hug. “You too. Have fun.”
The elevator opens to a casual flow of hotel guests shuffling between the front desk and the restaurant bar. Singles’ retreat activities have wrapped for the week, leaving the option to pack up and head home or enjoy the grounds for one more day. I chose the latter for this trip, to get us home on Monday instead of Sunday. A four-day work week after vacation is simply nonnegotiable.
Carter stands next to one of the fireplaces near the entrance, earning every bit of theGrey’s Anatomynickname Justice gavehim. His black dress coat hits his calves and matches his classic tuxedo and leather shoes.
Blue-green eyes lift from his phone in a slow drag up my champagne platform heels to the wrap coat belted around my frame. The collar hides the plunging neckline of my dress, but Carter stares like he sees through the fabric.
He takes a step toward me and reaches for my hand. “You look amazing.” Soft lips ignite shivers when they press to my skin. My inhale isn’t sharp, but he catches it in his gaze that has yet to leave mine. “Where is yourman?” His voice carries a bitter edge.
