Page 27 of Heartless
A delicious, long-lasting shiver waved through me.For the first time, I understood that sexiness wasn’t so much in the clothes or shoes I wore but in that feeling warming my skin right now.I touched my chest and wondered whether my scar would be an issue.
****
Jake
“Thanks, Mort.Let her up.”
The Morrison girl had arrived.I was at the elevator seconds before its doors slid open.
A designer brand shopping bag dangled from her fingers.Her dress stopped mid-thighs, showcasing her long, smooth legs.Her fuck-me, high-heeled sandals matched her small purse.Fuck, she’d dressed for sex.
Out of the cabin, she smiled.“Good evening, Jake.”
I kissed her and slid my mouth to her ear.“You’re fucking beautiful.You take my breath away, sweetheart.”
“You too,” she uttered.
Focusing on her swollen lips, I couldn’t help but chuckle.“You’re not supposed to tell men they’re beautiful.”
Her lips curved around small white teeth.“Even if they are?”Shifting back, she handed me the gift bag.“That’s for you.”
“And a gift?Miss Morrison, are you trying to seduce me?”
She jerked back, and her mouth pinched.“My name is Winslow.”
Edging closer, I reached for her, but she retreated and hooked those fucking eyes onto mine.
“Is it important to you that I’m related to Nigel Morrison?”
I’d fucked that one up.I made my tone gentle and cupped her cheek.“Let’s start again.We’re going to pretend you just came out of the elevator, I’m going to kiss you, and when you call me pretty and give me a thoughtful gift, I’ll say thank you and kiss you again.”
Her chin dipped, and she stepped back.Fuck.
I touched the side of her neck.“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”
On a sigh, she lifted her gaze.“It’s just that since...My boss, who I’ve known since I was sixteen, fired me.By text.When I asked why, he brushed me off and said I didn’t need the money.”
Zook’s contact had blackmailed her boss into firing her, which had been easy since the married bank manager had been fucking his sister-in-law.I’d also asked him to block the payment of the house insurance.
She clutched her fingers around her purse.“Just so you know, I’ve bought this with money I’ve earned, but if you don’t like it, I left the gift receipt in the bag.”
I pulled her close.“I’m sure it’s going to be just like you: perfect.”
I tagged her hand and led her to the living room where she perched on the sectional.I sat beside her and lifted the bag.“Can I open it?”
She nodded with a smile.Inside the branded black box, there was a wool scarf embossed with the designer logo patch.
It was simple and classy.After I’d tied it around my neck, I pecked her mouth.“Thank you, sweetheart.”
“It’s for your trip to Sweden.And I thought the color would look beautiful on you.”
In need of a drink after all this sappy shit, I stood up.“I got you BEG.Gin and tonic?”
“You remembered?Yes, please.Can I help?”
Fuck no.No more snake eyes.“I’m good.You just relax.”
****
