Page 51 of An Improper Deal (Elliot & Annabelle 1)
Since I have no intention of letting her rest tonight, I carefully pull her into my arms. She murmurs something, then burrows deeper into my chest and sighs.
The trusting gesture tugs at me. It’s been so long since I felt soft and protective toward any woman, other than Elizabeth. And I don’t understand why it’s this woman. I don’t want to feel anything for her. I want hot sex and fun and then my grandfather’s painting in a year.
But every time I try to stay the course, she does something that surprises me, elicits emotions even deeper and more complicated than those I reserve for women in my “friends and family” category.
I start to carry her to the master suite, then stop. The concierge I hired will be here soon to set things up for the evening. I don’t want him to disturb her.
I place her on the bed in the guest suite and pull the comforter over her. She turns on her side and curls up. Her lips part, vulnerable and sweet.
Watching her, I wonder what put that fire and fight in her. I doubt it’s her upbringing. Nonny isn’t like her—fairly docile and well-tempered…unusual in a teenager. When I was her age, I was tearing through Europe with a sense of superiority and too much money. I had my “fuck you” years and it wasn’t until I was older that I gained more control over my impulses and emotions. Betrayal tends to make you mature fast…once you get over the initial shock and fury.
Gigi has had her share, too. I wrap her soft red hair around my finger. Was that what made her such a spitfire?
I’ve read the report on her. Her father swindled the people in her hometown. It was a simple scam, run on people who didn’t know any better. Invest with us and triple your money in ten years. It was good at first. The first few investors did very well, much better than they ever dreamed of.
A lot of people noticed, and they had dollar signs in their eyes when they realized how much they could make by investing with her father. He even had a partner, a long-time resident of the town. Four generations. Everyone trusted the two until their shit fell apart, just like every other Ponzi scheme ever created.
She was only twenty when the whole thing blew up. The same age as when I experienced my own crushing betrayal. Except with mine nobody else’s life was ruined, no money lost.
Just my pride and my heart.
Thankfully it was a private humiliation, just something between me and Dad. I move to a window and gaze off into the distance. Isn’t it amazing how fathers can destroy their kids’ lives?
Chapter Nineteen
Annabelle
When I wake up, I’m in an unfamiliar bed in an unfamiliar room. The sharply slanted light coming from outside tells me it’s late.
I sit up. Thankfully, I’m still in the green dress I wore to the courthouse. But now it’s horribly wrinkled, and I’m going to have to change into something else. The clock on the nightstand reads five thirty-two. Just when did I fall asleep?
In Elliot’s car.
I turn on the bedside lamp and take a good look at the place. The room is huge—I’m on a queen-size bed with pristine white sheets that feel like silk against my skin…there are a couple of dressers and a vanity and a walk-in closet. A print of some European cityscape hangs on one wall.
The en suite bathroom is fully stocked with expensive toiletries with gender neutral scent, but the closet is empty. I frown. I could have sworn Elliot said he was moving me and Nonny today.
Still groggy, I open the door to go find—
A body slams into me, ponytail going wild and the squeal ear-piercingly loud.
I almost lose my balance. Nonny can be very physical when she’s overly excited, but I haven’t seen her behave this way since before our parents died. Excitement shines in her eyes, and she drags me out to the living room.
“Oh my god, did you see? Did you see?” She hops around, her arms pumping.
I’m still somewhat out of it, but her happiness buoys my mood. “See what?”
“This!” She swings her arms wildly, indicating the whole house. “Elliot says this is where we’re going to live. Can you believe it? I get my own suite! It has its own bedroom and bathroom and a living room! It’s like a house all by itself. And the walk-in closet! It’s huge!”
I smile. “It is a nice pla—”
“And Elliot said I can go shopping for some new things tomorrow if I want. If I want…as if!” She giggles.
It’s good to see her acting her age, but why is Elliot doing all this? I was planning to use my clothes allowance on Nonny. She isn’t his concern, and all this is above and beyond what we agreed to. In my experience, people don’t act kindly toward you for no reason. Everything comes with a price tag.
“Have you seen Elliot?” I ask.
“Uh-huh. He’s in the master suite.” She points her finger behind me at a winding staircase and raises her eyebrows. “The master suite. Isn’t that just too cool?”
