Page 49 of Sleigh Bells and Snowstorms
The call ended. I went over to the window and looked out at Natalie’s house. It was dark.
“Fuck.”
But what did it have to do with her? I wasn’t in Tilikum for Natalie. I was there to do a job. And sometimes, in my line of work, plans changed. As for our agreement, I'd be sure she was compensated even if I wasn’t the one to bring in the necklace.
I packed my things but decided to leave my Tilikum attire in my car. I wouldn’t need flannels or jeans where I was headed. After a quick sweep through the flat to ensure I hadn’t forgottenanything, I was ready. Maple texted to ask if I was on the road yet. I needed to get ahead of the weather.
I couldn’t just leave without a word to Natalie. But I didn’t want to wake her—or her sister and niece. After a moment’s hesitation, I settled on a note. I wrote it out quickly, folded it, and left it on the kitchen counter.
Trying to ignore the odd sense of dread in the pit of my stomach, I carried my things out to my car and left.
CHAPTER 12
Natalie
You were magnificent tonight.
The fact that I woke up with Jensen’s text running through my mind should have been a warning sign. Instead, I lingered on thoughts of the evening with him as I got up, showered, and dressed for the day.
His gentle touch on the small of my back as we worked the room. The intensity in his eyes. The display of protectiveness when he’d so effectively confronted my ex. Dancing to soft music with my body pressed against his.
Had it all been a dream?
I’d spent my evening in a cocktail dress, infiltrating an event I was pretty sure we’d crashed without tickets. Jensen had been vague about how he’d get tickets, and it occurred to me as I thought back on the evening, we hadn’t stopped to check in. We’d walked right in as if we belonged, and no one had questioned us.
The heady thrill had been intoxicating. Even more than our strategic eavesdropping at the Timberbeast.
But was it the excitement of the hunt that had swept through me? Or Jensen’s touch, presence, and undeniable allure?
I paused and took a deep breath before going downstairs. I was in big trouble. Because I was starting to think things I shouldn’t have been thinking. And giving in to feeling things I shouldn’t have been feeling.
Attraction, yes. I couldn’t lie to myself and claim I wasn’t physically attracted to him. But it was more than that. It was as if he were awakening something in me I hadn’t realized I’d lost.
He made me feel alive.
I went downstairs, wondering what he had in store for us next. Was Julian involved in the heist? Or were we following a lead that was destined to go cold?
What was our next move?
Nina was bustling in the kitchen while Annabel ate her breakfast at the table.
“Morning,” I said.
“Morning.” Nina didn’t look up from what she was doing.
“Hi, Auntie Natalie,” Annabel said around a mouthful of food.
“Don’t talk with your mouth full, honey,” Nina said.
She made a show of swallowing. “Sorry.”
“Do you need help?” I asked. “You look stressed.”
“I’m fine. I just woke up late, and now I’m frazzled. Thank goodness for dry shampoo, am I right?”
“One of modernity’s great inventions. Do you want me to take Annabel to school?”
“No, that’s okay.” She closed Annabel’s lunch bag. “I’ve got it.”
