Lingerie Wars (Invertary 1)

“It was my ex-fiancé,” she said with a sigh. “He wanted to get back together. He said he loves me.”

She looked up at Lake. His intense concentration was comforting.

“You know the story, right?” she said.

He nodded. Of course he knew the story. Everyone knew every humiliating detail of her life.

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“He saw the necklace and thought it was a sign.”

“Necklace?”

She pointed to the bowl on her desk. She wished she’d thrown the thing out years ago.

“He gave you that ugly piece of crap?” Lake said.

To her surprise, Kirsty laughed.

“Yep, he did.”

“You kept it because you love him?” His voice was tight.

“Goodness, no. I kept it because it was the only thing I had left of my old life.”

He nodded like that made sense.

“I’ll throw it out.” She reached for the bowl.

Lake caught her hand and held it tight in his. It was dwarfed by his hand. His long, powerful fingers entwined with hers. Kirsty didn’t pull away. Instead she watched him stroke the soft, fleshy part of her palm with his thumb.

“Don’t throw it out—let me ask around first. I’d like to know a little more about this guy, and the necklace he’s so interested in.”

She looked up at him.

“You’re worried?” she asked. It seemed pointless to point out that she was already worried.

“Curious,” he said.

They sat in silence for a minute as Lake stroked her hand, sending little tingles right throughout her body.

“I don’t like that guy,” he said at last.

Kirsty gave him her widest grin.

“No, I don’t like him either,” she said.

When Lake growled his approval, Kirsty started to laugh.

“You know, Betty’s right,” she said.

He raised an eyebrow, making her grin widely.

“You are really rubbish at this war thing. You’re supposed to be wiping me out. Not rescuing me.”

“Is that what I’m doing?”

She gave him a look. He knew exactly what he was doing. There was no doubt in her mind that Lake always knew what he was doing.