Page 64 of Seduction
He held out a hand. “I’m Kirk.”
“Nice to officially meet you, Kirk,” I said as we shook.
“Jake would like for me to take you to the penthouse.”
I wondered if he knew Jake’s real identity. There was no way I was going to ask. I wouldn’t dare put Kirk in the position of informing on his employer. Plus, Jake had said he would tell me the truth about himself that night.
So I forced a tired smile. “Lead the way?”
He smiled back, and I followed him to a black luxury sedan parked against a red spot along the curb in front of the hospital.
“No ticket for you?” I asked, grinning as he opened the door.
He sniffed. “Sometimes. But…” He hesitated. “They’re all in Dr. Sparrow’s name.”
We both chuckled as I slid into the back seat. I could have sworn he was going to say something else or call Jake by another name.
As the vehicle pulled away from the curb, I saw Rich standing on the sidewalk, watching us like a hawk from afar.
* * *
I could’ve walkedto the penthouse, but I was happy I hadn’t. My head was heavy with exhaustion, and my throat felt scratchy. I usually kept my immune system robust by taking vitamins and drinking chamomile-and-echinacea tea with lemon and honey throughout the day, but I hadn’t downed one cup since Jake came into my life. Resting my head on the seat, I thought that would be the first thing I did when I arrived at the penthouse—call room service and have them make me a cup of tea. I loved room service. One call and voilà. I could be spoiled by it.
My cell phone dinged in my bag. I had a text message, and believing it was Jake, I dug my device out. But the message was from Jamie, letting tenants know we could return to our apartments.
I pressed my lips together as I realized I was practically living with Jake.What is he to me? My new boyfriend?We would certainly have to define the parameters of our relationship later that evening when he came home.
“When he comes home,” I whispered just to hear how the words sounded outside of my head.
Going to bed without him had been so painful the previous night. After the party, I took off my mask, jewelry, dress, and shoes, and put them back in the big box. I refused to cry as I washed the makeup off my face. While studying my reflection in the mirror, I noticed that I looked the same. Even though so much had changed in my life, I was still the same Penina, and I liked that.
Know thyself. Always try to be aware of who you are. It’s not going to be easy, but do it.
Those words, spoken in my mother’s voice, came back to me before I turned away from my reflection. I couldn’t remember if she’d said them to me, but someone had.
Regardless, a yawn made me stop trying to figure out the mystery of the speaker, and I crawled into bed, thankful I hadn’t canceled my shift for the day. Knowing myself was why I was able to look Jake in the eye that morning and dare him to pull me off his service. If he wanted out of our personal-slash-sexual relationship, that was fine, but our professional relationship was not up for debate. He was the best neurosurgeon in the hospital, and because of it, I was obligated to learn whatever the hell he could teach me. But I’d had no idea we’d end up back together before the day was over.
Kirk stopped the car in front of the elevator in the parking garage. He opened my door then pushed the button for the elevator. While he waited with me, we talked about how nice and warm the evening was. Not too humid, thankfully. He couldn’t wait until the summer ended. I yawned. He told me to have a nice rest of the day, then I rode up to the penthouse floor. I closed my eyes, letting myself feel the smooth ascension. I would soon be back in Jake’s domain and, after that afternoon, solidly back in his world. The elevator dinged. My eyelids fluttered open as the doors separated. Then I gasped as my heartbeat raced at the sight of a woman I’d never seen before.
* * *
For several moments,we said nothing as we studied each other. I sensed I had taken her by surprise as well. The woman was very attractive in the way that most women who put an effort into their appearance were. Eyeliner was applied thickly on her lower and upper eyelids. Her lipstick and blush were bloodred, but somehow the overpainting seem to complement her ivory skin. She wore an emerald cotton sundress without a bra. It was the sort that looked as if it cost a lot of money. Her short dark hair, cut into cute layers, went perfectly with her bare shoulders and swanlike neck.
She was the first to ask, “Who are you?”
“I’m Dr. Ross. Who are you?” I finally managed to say.
She snarled then crossed her arms. “Gina, and this is my apartment. What are you doing here, Dr. Ross?” She said it with such spite.
“Oh,” I said, sighing in relief. “You’re Jake’s friend.”
The woman chuckled. “Jake. That’s right. I heard that’s what he’s calling himself these days.”
I couldn’t move a muscle. “I’m sorry?”
“Asher. He’s calling himself Jake Sparrow, I heard. But he’s Asher Nathaniel Christmas, and I’m his girlfriend. So again, who the hell are you?”
I thought she said her name was Gina, but I was so shocked that I barely heard her. I didn’t want to know it, really. The world “girlfriend” kept repeating in my head, taking root in my heart. The moment I knew would come had arrived. Jake, or Asher, had disappointed me. And the worst—or maybe the best—part about it was that I was relieved that we could finally stop pretending that he wouldn’t leave me. Everyone loved me and left me, including my own mother. Tears in my eyes, I apologized for infringing on her property and asked if I could pack my things before leaving.
