Three Little Mistakes (Blindfold Club 3)

I tensed. “No, not Joe. That,” my voice was firm, “is not my name.”

Surprise swept across her face and left puzzlement in its wake. “Okay, sorry. Joseph.” She brushed her hair back over her shoulder. “Thanks for the offer. That actually will be a big help. Is your car parked close?”

“Yeah. Did you check a coat downstairs?”

“I did. Let me grab it and tell my friends I’m leaving.” She held up her phone and snapped a picture of me without warning. What the hell? “So they know what you look like in case I don’t show up for class tomorrow,” she explained, her fingers tapping rapidly on the screen, undoubtedly texting it to someone. “Although you look like a nice enough guy, Joseph what?”

“No way, honey. You haven’t given me your first or last name.”

Her face twisted into a scowl, even though her eyes never left the screen of the phone. “Don’t call me honey. It’s M.” Her gaze lifted finally, rising up to meet mine. “Joseph Monsato. It’s on your club’s website.”

When had I lost control of this conversation? From the moment she’d crossed the doorway, she’d been in charge, not me. Things would change once she was in the passenger seat of my Porsche. I tugged the suit jacket hanging on the back of my chair and slipped it on, striding over to her.

M had a stone-cold poker face, but her body betrayed her. The proximity to me did make her nervous. Her shoulders lifted in a breath, even as her eyes didn’t widen or dart away. The tension in her shoulders and neck said she was on high alert, which was smart. I was interested in her, and already power was shifting my direction.

“Joseph Monsato.?

? I used a warm tone. “Nice to meet you, M.”

The poker face cracked a little. “Right, yeah. You, too.”

“Do you want to introduce me to your friends? Would that make you feel safer?”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“It’s no trouble.”

She shook her head quickly, probably thinking about how strange that would be. “We can just go. I feel safe.”

Did she? I smiled.

chapter

TWO

M was waiting for me in the narrow hallway beside the metal back door, and the February wind howled outside. She cinched the belt of her long wool jacket tighter and flashed a hesitant look.

“You sure this is okay?” she asked. “Your bar will be closed by the time you get back.”

“It’s fine. I have a club manager, and I’m not usually here on Thursday nights anyway.” I pushed open the heavy door and gestured for her to go through. It had begun to snow, and fat snowflakes wafted down on the alleyway. Her chin tucked to her chest as we went out into the cold, and I hit the unlock button on my keyring, flashing the lights of the Porsche. “That’s me.”

She paused as if uncertain when I opened the passenger door for her.

“Second thoughts?” I asked. If she said yes, would I be disappointed? Would I find a way to persuade? I was used to getting what I wanted, and this? Yeah, I wanted it.

“No, no second thoughts.” She slipped into the passenger seat and her gaze focused on me. “How does this overpriced car handle the snow?”

I should have been offended, but instead I was thrilled to get attitude from her. The taste I wanted, although now I’d had it, I craved more. Most people didn’t give me lip. They either worked for me or wanted something, so they were professional and respectful. “The Porsche does just fine, and don’t worry, I know what I’m doing.”

Did I? I’d come to Dune tonight to have a hard discussion with Alan about the covers at the door declining, and instead, I was leaving. Cold air blasted us as I started the car and flipped on the seat warmers. We’d been alone in the office, but the door had been open, and now with snow blanketing the windshield, we were trapped, sitting close beside each other on freezing leather.

Her fingers splayed out on her thigh, curled into a soft fist, and her breath went shallow. Nervous.

“Can I ask why you agreed to let me drive you home,” I said casually, “if I make you uncomfortable?”

“I don’t know. Why did you offer? It seemed like a strange thing to do.”

“It was.” I flipped the wipers on and watched as they brushed the loose snow from the windshield.