Page 51 of Heartless
“What happened?”
She fucking hated my guts.
“Must have surprised her.”
Planting her fists on her hips, she shook her head and kept her voice low.“Jake, she was in love with you—”
Fuck.Not this again.“Cam—”
“Just be kind to her.”
I was fucking trying.
****
Aweek later, I camehome from the airport around midnight and went straight to my office.She was probably in bed, but she’d often fallen asleep in her library, curled around a book.On rainy nights, she’d lean against the window and stay there until the rainfall stopped.She hadn’t tried to run, and there was no reason for me to check on her, but I wasn’t taking any chances.I settled in the armchair and logged into the surveillance system.Her bedroom door was ajar, and all the lights were on, but there was no sign of her.She usually switched the light off before going to sleep.
I started toward her quarters and stopped at the mouth of the family room.The small lamp on the side table by the armchair where she’d fallen asleep was on.In another one of her nightgowns, she was nestled deep into the seat, and a book laid open in her lap.Cam must have told her I’d be gone, which were the only times she’d ventured out of her quarters.
Crouching by the armchair, I gently slid the book from under her fingers.That woke her up.Her eyes opened straight onto mine, and for a couple of seconds she stared.Then she blinked and lowered them before vaulting over the arm of the armchair.
While I pushed on my knees, she stepped back and dipped her chin.“I’m sorry.Camila said you were away...Sorry.”
She started toward her quarters.
“Sienna?”
With her fingers clutched in front of her and her head bowed, she pivoted slowly to face me.When I handed her the book, she reached for it, and the tremble of her fingers made my back teeth clench.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“It’s a good book.I read it a few years ago.You like spy novels?”
She cleared her throat.“Sometimes.”
“If you liked that one, you’re going to love his first series.Wait here.”
I went to my office and got three books.When I came back, she was in the same position.From the darkened hallway, the play of the light rendered her nightgown almost transparent, giving me a full view of her lush body.My cock hardened, and I slowed my pace.
“Here.”
She flinched.It was slight, but it was there.
“Let me know what you think.”
After she’d accepted the novels, I edged closer, and she pressed the books against her chest.
“Good night.”
“Good night, Sienna.”
I headed to my office and watched her place the pile on the desk of her library, turn off every light in her quarters before disappearing into her bedroom.
Two days later, she picked another book from the shelves, leaving the pile of my books untouched.
