He stepped inside, scanned the room, indifferent to the glorious view of the city that was practically at his feet. He didn’t care about the custom couches that Diane had expedited from Turkey, the rug from Marrakech, the painting on the wall that fit his mood perfectly. He didn’t care about anything.
He set his satchel on the couch and eyed the vase of fresh flowers on the coffee table.
That seemed to be the only thing he cared about.
I pulled off his set of keys and placed them next to the vase. “These are for you—”
“I don’t want flowers.” He left the keys and turned away. “I’m a man—not a woman.”
“They give a nice touch. And I’m sure your guests will appreciate them—”
“I want the women to leave—not stay.” He walked to the floor-to-ceiling window that comprised the back wall of the living room, his hands moving to his narrow hips as he took in the view. I caught a slight glimpse of his reflection in the pristine glass.
I could see his expression, see the hardness in his jaw, the death in his eyes. He was a hollow shell, a dead person technically alive but without a soul. It was hard to look at. “I’m sorry about your divorce…” I usually didn’t mention personal matters to my clients, unless we had a good relationship and they were open with me, but the words slipped out because he seemed all alone in the world right now.
“I’m not.” His eyes didn’t blink as he looked outside. “I didn’t love her—not in the beginning and not in the end.”
I couldn’t keep a straight face, surprised he’d said something so harsh.
“I’m ready to put that shit behind me and move on.”
I didn’t know what to say to that. It made me want to ask more questions, but I knew that was inappropriate when he would barely say a few words to me. “Is there anything I can get you before I leave—”
“No.” He always cut me off, like he wanted to end the conversation as quickly as possible. “Leave.” He turned away from the window and headed into the hallway. His footsteps disappeared a moment later.
I didn’t live for validation, but I did want my clients to be happy with the work we did downstairs. We made things happen effortlessly onstage, but behind the curtain, we worked our asses off. I was disappointed he was unhappy despite everything he had, despite all the work we did turning this place into a home, despite my attempt to be kind.
But I didn’t take it personally.
Maybe in time…he would feel better.
Three
Cleo
“I should go.”
“No.” Jake moved back on top of me, sprinkling kisses from my neck to my stomach, giving me his hot breaths that made my nipples pebble at his touch. “Baby, sleep over. Come on, I don’t have to go into the office tomorrow.” He pressed his heavy body on top of mine, his hands scooping mine above my head.
I looked into his handsome face, the man who seduced me and erased all my logic. “You know I can’t.”
“Please.” He kissed one corner of my mouth then the other. “Please…”
I almost gave in, but I knew I couldn’t. I shouldn’t be here in the first place, shouldn’t have let him kiss me months ago, shouldn’t have slept with him.
Not when he was one of my clients.
It was a rule I shouldn’t have broken, and if anyone ever found out about it, no one would trust me again. I’d lose all credibility. All my female clients wouldn’t want me anywhere near their husbands and boyfriends because they couldn’t trust me. I’d probably lose my job too. “No.” I finally fought his restraint and sat up, my feet on the floor. “Jake, I like you…a lot. But this has totally gotten out of hand—”
His hand cupped my face, and he smothered me with kisses, silencing me with a touch I couldn’t resist.
And I caved—again.
The front door opened and closed, and then a female voice called out in the residence. “Surprise!”
I pulled back, my eyes wide because I was buck naked on his bed, having no idea who had just entered his residence—with keys.
But my shock was no match for his.
He looked like he was going to be sick.
“Who is that?” I whispered. Maybe she had the wrong residence…hopefully.
His skin turned pale as he reached down and quickly grabbed all my clothes. “Hide!”
“Who is that?” I repeated, speaking under my breath.
He grabbed me by the arm and pulled me into the closet. “Just stay here—”
“Jake!”
He dropped my clothes on the floor then shut the door behind him, leaving me in the dark. He must have done it just in time because he spoke. “Hey, baby. What a nice surprise.”
Baby?
What the fuck?
“Why are you naked?” she asked. “Hot and sweaty?”
What the hell was he going to say to that?