“Don’t be,” Rhys interjected, reaching for the bottle of wine to top up Zoey’s glass. “Archer lives for this shit.”
Chapter 9
“He brought you out with his friends,” Hazel said the next morning while Zoey slipped into a white-lace summer dress in the changing room of a boutique in downtown Brooklyn. The little shop belonged to a young designer who, as far as Zoey was concerned, should have been showing her clothes on the runway. She zipped it up halfway as Hazel added, “That’s a statement, girl.”
“A statement declaring what?” Zoey asked in all seriousness. “He knows I’m moving. Besides, we both know he wanted to help me get over all my hang-ups. I told him I couldn’t even date a guy without having a panic attack.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t really think Rhys is the type of guy to let anything stop him from getting what he wants.”
Zoey agreed wholeheartedly. Even as she played it cool, she stared at herself in the mirror, seeing a new kind of happiness on her face. A dangerous kind of happiness because Rhys wasn’t supposed to be making her feel this way. Better, yes. Healthier, yes. Sexier, yes. Emotionally connected, hell no. She released a breath, noting a new kind of warmth in her chest. Last night, she’d felt protected, not only by Rhys, but by his friends. Being honest and open with people other than Hazel and Elise felt…good. Hell, trusting more than her roommates and her parents felt incredible. She grabbed the curtain and peeked out at Hazel. “Tell me that continuing to see him is a huge mistake. That I should stop whatever is happening right now. That I am actually in way over my head and this is going to end up with me devastated and even more broken.”
Hazel gave a lopsided grin. “Well, you’re not broken. You’re awesome. And Rhys is rich, gorgeous, and obviously has a soft spot for you. Why on earth would I tell you to stay away from him?”
“You wouldn’t,” Zoey hedged. She’d be insane to stay away.
“You’re right. I wouldn’t,” Hazel agreed with a firm nod. “Now get back out here, and let me see that dress on you.”
Zoey hurried to do just that, all the while questioning where exactly life was taking her now. She’d decided to move. Start over. And yet…Rhys. Everything felt different than it had when she walked through Phoenix’s door. She felt different. Before, she’d felt like she wanted to run away. Now she wasn’t sure why she was running. She loved her friends, her job, her life in Brooklyn, and she was beginning to love this new erotic life she’d found. She was even beginning to not hate Manhattan. Sure, she missed home too, but she could visit often. That lump in her throat rose up again, but she forcibly swallowed it back as she whisked the curtain open.
“Oh, you must get that,” Hazel said with big eyes from the other side of the store.
“Isn’t it gorgeous?” Zoey shifted from side to side, studying the white-lace summer dress that fit her like it was made for her. “But it’s also expensive.”
“Oh, please.” Hazel stopped to glance back as she shifted through the skirts hanging on the rack. “Do I need to remind you that you can afford it now?”
“I guess,” Zoey hedged, running her hands over the lacy fabric, wondering what Rhys would think of this dress. Would he like it? Would he want to take it off her immediately? Would he think of something totally erotic to do with the dress? “Okay, you’re right, I never do anything like this,” she finally said. “It’s just so pretty. I must have it!”
“Hell yeah, you do,” Hazel said, going back to the skirts.
By the time they were done shopping, Zoey’d only bought the dress. Hazel bought a long maxi skirt and a crop top that showed off her midriff. Before long, they returned to the subway and headed back home.
When they finally made it back to the loft, shopping bags in their hands, Hazel whistled. “Well, that’s certainly a nice view to come home too.”
“You’re not kidding,” Zoey agreed, embracing the butterflies filling her belly as she spotted Rhys leaned against his black sports car in front of the loft, scrolling through his phone. Her heart flipped over a few times, threatening to melt in a puddle. His head slowly lifted, eyes connected with hers, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly. Heat flooded her from head to toe, all pooling into a needy throb between her thighs. Oh, the power this man had over her body was unreal.
“Hello,” Hazel said by way of greeting. “I’m Hazel.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Hazel,” Rhys said, without any of the heat Zoey was used to hearing in his voice. He offered his hand. “Rhys Harrington.”
Hazel returned the handshake. “Mm-hmm, good to meet you.” To Zoey, she grinned. “I’ll see you inside.”
“Okay.” Zoey turned to Rhys after Hazel slipped into the loft. “Hi.”
“Hey.” There was that heat, nearly sending her soaring backwards like an erotic punch to her gut. “How was your day?”
“Good,” she answered, shifting on her feet, but stopping immediately when she felt her damp panties. To get her mind and her body out of the gutter, she asked, “Have you heard anything from Archer about that woman?”
“He’s still on it.”
“Elise, too.”
The sun beamed down on Rhys, revealing auburn highlights in his jet-black hair that she’d never noticed before. He gave a nod and a warm smile. “Then, hopefully, we will have answers soon.” His gaze flicked to the shopping bag in her hand. “Looks like we were both shopping today.” He turned back to his car, reached into the open window, and pulled out a small bag.
Zoey’s heart still hadn’t recovered from the last flip, and promptly did a little dance now. “You bought me a gift?”
“For tonight, if you’ll oblige me.”
“You didn’t need to do that,” she said, heat rising to her cheeks.