Dirty Dealers

“It’s a job,” I try to reassure her. “Let’s meet for dinner. I’ll pick you up at your place, and we can see where the road takes us.”

“Can you do that?” Her chin lifts, and genuine confusion is on her face. “I mean… are you able to set your own hours?”

Is that what’s bothering you, beautiful? The truth is, my hours are bothering me a little now, too. “I’ll talk to Rowan. If Ava’s not going out, I should be able to get away for a few hours.”

“In that case, I’d love to.” She smiles, but it’s a little less bright. Slipping off the stool, she walks toward my bed. “Do you happen to see where I left my clothes?”

“Are you asking me for help?”

“No…” her head tilts to the side. “I’ll find them eventually, but I’ve never been here before. It’s a bit like being in a country where you don’t speak the language.”

“Languages never gave you much trouble.” I squeeze her hand as I walk over to my large sleeping area.

I reach down and retrieve the filmy tunic from halfway under the bed. Her bikini is beside it. Returning to her, I place them in her hand. “Right where I took them off of you.”

She smiles, but I hold her a beat longer. “I’m going to talk to him about us. I’m going to see what I can do about getting more flexibility in my schedule. I meant it when I said I don’t want to lose you again. We can make this work.”

Her only reply is a wistful smile.

She might be doubtful, but I am determined to do what I can to hold onto this woman as long as she’ll let me. Rowan will have to understand.

Reminder

Kass

With a kiss and a promise to meet this evening, Logan is gone. I’m standing at the door to my apartment building, and the sun is shining strong against my skin. My sunglasses are gone. I must have left them at Logan’s. I’ve lost my mask. I have no way to hide.

For a moment, I lean my back against the building and lift my chin. I want the hot rays to burn against my skin. My body is sore from last night, but I feel so deeply satisfied.

Still, my debts, the job hanging over my head looms in front of me. The royal family is back. Blix expects me to complete my assignment. If I don’t…

All at once, the sun feels too hot. I don’t want to be outdoors. I’m tired and heavy with guilt, and my eyes sting with unshed tears. As Logan held me close, telling me how much it meant to him that we had found each other, I almost broke down. Burying my face in his chest, I could only allow my lips to say the words twisting my insides. I’m so sorry…

I can’t summon the energy to find my key, so I press the buzzer in the little rhythm Luc and

I use to let each other know we’re home. The loud clang of the lock indicates the door is open, and I pull it hard, stepping into the dim hallway.

It’s quiet, and the lack of proper lighting makes it impossible for me to make out anything with my limited vision. At least in the bright light, I can make out shapes. In this situation, I have to rely completely on my ears.

Right now, they’re telling me the stairwell is empty. It’s the same thing they told me when Logan was here, but at least that ended well. I can’t help a tremor of fear at who could be lurking, watching me without my knowledge.

I’m about to call for Luc, when I hear his door open. I hear the click of doggy nails on wood, and Henri yips at me from the top of the stairs.

“Is it safe, Henri?” I whisper, facing where I presume he’s standing.

He lets out a little bark, and I hear him start to come down to me.

“You’re a good dog,” I say taking the first two steps and doing my best to calm my rising nerves. “You are no kyoodle.” He breathes loudly, and I can just see his little smiling terrier face in my mind’s eye, tongue hanging out.

“Do you know what a kyoodle is?” I’m halfway there, and my stomach is so tight, it’s hard to breathe.

Two more steps.

Happy terrier breathing.

One more step.

At last I’m at the top. I made it. No one is here except this little short, coarse-haired dog and me. My body is weak from the adrenaline, and I sit on the top step, exhaling a laugh and feeling silly.