Page 15 of Hidden Gem
Marnie relaxed against the couch, anchoring her hot body against the cool leather. Better. She needed to enjoy this; she’d likely never experience anything like it for the rest of her life.
“I’m sorry,” Jason mumbled, leaning forward and dropping his head into his hands. “I... I don’t get much sleep. I can’t fall asleep. Ever since I started as Associate Minister, I just can’t turn off my brain, even when I’m exhausted.”
The raw desperation in his voice stirred her, like she was peering into the core of him through a deep surface crack. Associate Minister. That was a bigger deal than an MP. Despite the exhaustion, he looked young, maybe still in his thirties. He’d done well for himself.
“But you can’t survive without sleep.” Without thinking, she placed her fingers on his shoulder, feeling the tight muscles under his shirt. She kneaded the muscle, willing it to relax.
Jason groaned. “I just have to survive long enough. I have to make these things happen. Otherwise, it will have been all for nothing.”
Marnie kept massaging his shoulder. He let out another groan that made her heart ache.
“I’m not a great masseuse, but I can try give you a proper shoulder rub if you’d like?”
Jason smiled. “That’s okay. This sounds weird, but I feel more relaxed right now than I’ve felt in months. Just sitting here with you. I don’t know why.” He glanced at her over his shoulder, his gaze roaming down to her cleavage.
Marnie burst into uncontrollable laughter. “Is it the boobs?” She was certainly drunk, those sneaky champagnes loosening her tongue. She tried to stop, but the giggles bubbled up, making her hiccup.
Jason hung his head, trying to look away. There was a smile in his voice as it cracked from embarrassment. “I can’tnotlook at them. I’m only human. Although I haven’t really had energy for that stuff lately, so I guess it’s good that... I’m not totally dead from lack of sleep, you know? Not that I should be leering. Apologies.”
“It’s okay. My boobs are blushing, honestly. They’re not used to being outdoors. I don’t normally dress up like this. It feels really weird, like I’m trying to lure sailors or catch small objects falling from the sky.”
“Well, I appreciate the view.” His voice thicker, he turned and shamelessly stared at her cleavage, a silly grin splitting his face.
Marnie fought another bout of giggles. That bloody champagne was messing with her head, but she couldn’t help enjoying the moment. Her whole body buzzed with giddiness, her heart thumping in her chest. If he made a move, she’d play along. She’d be Beatrice all the way.
Before she thought better of it, she lifted his index finger to study a dark ink stain. She couldn’t stop touching him. Oh, no. She was in trouble. Encouraged by the clouded look in his eyes, she traced her hand along his sleeve, feeling the veins on his forearm under the smooth fabric. If only he’d lift the hand to touch her... but Jason let out another long sigh, slumping back against the couch.
“I’m sorry. You deserve better than this. I’m just... so... dead.”
“It’s okay.” Marnie lifted her hand off his and turned to put her shoes back on. This guy was not well. He needed a good night’s or a week’s sleep. “Maybe you should take me to the right person, whoever you think should know about Kathleen? I’ll tell them what happened, then you can go home and at least try to get some sleep.”
He opened his eyes and sat up. “Yes, let’s.”
Chapter 8
Marnie followed Jasonthrough the maze of hallways, sneaking glimpses of the framed black-and-white portraits covering the walls. They arrived at another lift, and Jason led her in, holding his swipe card on the reader.
