Page 56 of Hart of Redemption
I needed to be inside her again. Fuck, I needed more than that. I needed to see her beautiful face every day. I needed to feel her against me while we slept and hear the soft sounds of her snoring, like she’d been doing when I crawled out of bed.
But until I could give myself to her as a free man—free from the chains of Rosario and the bloodshed and wars—I had to keep her at a distance.
She peered up at me with doe-like eyes. “I’m starving.”
I chuckled. “No food around here.”
“Why don’t we head to the Paramount near Boston Common for brunch?” Denim asked. “Jade loves that place.”
I would rather go round three with Joy. Only this time instead of in my bed and in the shower, I wanted to take her on the bar.
“Or maybe another time,” Denim said as if he knew what I was thinking. “I’m beat from my shift anyway. Thanks for the advice, bro. Call me later.” He climbed off the stool, fishing his keys out of his pocket. “Joy, I’ll see you at the gala.”
When we were finally alone, I grabbed her hand. “Come on. The night isn’t over yet.”
“But it’s the morning,” she protested.
“It’s dark in here,” I teased.
“Duke, we can’t.”
She was right, but I had to ask, “Do you have a guy in your life? I probably should’ve asked you that well before now.” I wasn’t one to steal another man’s woman.
“No,” she rushed out. “It’s just that working and sleeping together don’t make for a healthy relationship.”
“Then I’ll fire you.”
She swayed against me. “No! I need the money, and don’t you even think of offering to help me financially. I am my own person. I don’t need a man to support me.”
My fingers danced in her hair. “Seems we’re in a quandary, then.”
“No, we’re not,” she said emphatically. “I need to shower and get on the road. I’m visiting my family at Linwood Cemetery today. I try not to miss Sundays.”
At the mention of Linwood, I winced.
“Hey, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to?—”
“No need to apologize.” I lifted her and set her on the stainless steel counter. “Tell me about your family. How did your mother and brother die?”
She paled. “I’m not ready to talk about it.”
I curled her hair around her ear. “I understand.”
“Duke, will you be okay?”
“Honest answer?”
She worried her bottom lip. “Of course.”
“I’m not sure I can stay away from you.”
“Then let’s discuss why we keep dancing around each other.” Her pretty eyebrows rose.
Talk about chess pieces. She just checkmated me.
I considered her for pulse-pounding moments. She had mentioned the employee-and-boss thing, so I got why she had reservations. But she wouldn’t understand mine—no way. She would run far and fast. While coming clean wasn’t a bad idea to keep me from seeing her—she would be out of sight if not out of mind—I could still fire her. If I had to do the latter to keep her safe, I would, but to can her because I couldn’t keep my hands off her would be an asshole move.
For now, I only had one recourse—walk away.
