“It’s hard to think of that as a real possibility.”
“It’ll take time and trust is earned.”
“Trust is earned,” I repeat, and my mind goes to that exchange with Alexander.
And it’s still on my mind when we head to the master bathroom. Kace reaches for my robe. I press my hand to his, flatten it on my hip.
“Kace, I need to bring up something awkward.”
“There’s no such thing as awkward between us. Tell me.”
“Did you hear what Alexander said to me that day at the shop?”
There’s a slight hardening of his jaw. “I heard enough.”
“I told him not to tell me anything.”
“I know that.”
“But he did blurt something out. I feel like I should tell you what he said.”
“What’s between us is between us, not us and Alexander. I don’t want to know.” He turns me, and drags the silk of my robe down my shoulders, tossing it away, and leaving me naked. I am always so naked with this man.
The next thing I know, I’m in the shower, pressed against the wall, with him buried inside me, and this is not making love. It’s fucking, wild, wicked, wonderful fucking, but it’s fucking. And this is about his secrets. The ones he says will make me run. The ones he says he knows he has to tell me but he’s clearly just not ready.
But I’m going to have to be. That is clear.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
It’s almost ten when I settle in behind the desk in my new office space, my hair smelling like flowers from a perfumed shampoo and conditioner I found in the bags of things Kace bought me. Instead of work attire, I’m in clothes Kace bought for me: a comfy, but figure-hugging pair of black jeans and a teal sweater that I’ve paired with ridiculously expensive but amazing knee-high boots. The outfit feels like fall and fall is here based on the chilly temperatures outside. I love the fall. I used to love the holidays and if Gio wasn’t missing, I think I’d look forward to this season.
I’ve just keyed my MacBook to life when Kace appears in the doorway. He’s freshly shaven in a brown snug T-shirt, with snug faded jeans and biker boots, his dark hair a bit messed up. He looks way better than fall. He looks like everything I ever wanted in a man and didn’t know I wanted until I met him.
“Mark called,” he says. “He wants to talk. He wants to meet for coffee, just me and him.”
“About me,” I assume.
“He didn’t say as much, but I assume so, of course.”
“Are you going to tell him who I am?”
“He knows, baby. You know he knows.”
“He thinks he knows. Are you going to tell him?”
“What do you want me to do?”
I hesitate, but only a moment. “Whatever feels right. You have my blessing.”
He pushes off the doorjamb and rounds the desk, leaning over to kiss me. “I’ll play it by ear. How’s your hand?”
“Good. Really good.” I rotate my chair toward him and indicate my bandages. “I think I can move to a large Band-Aid now.”
“I’ll grab you some. I need to run to the bank, too. I’ll call you on my way back and bring lunch.” He kisses me again and heads for the door.
“A salad,” I call after him. “I can’t keep eating pasta and cookies.”
He pauses at the door and winks. “A salad or I can help you work off some pasta.” He doesn’t give me time to reply. He heads out of the door.
“You and salad!” I call out. “We’re having cookies tomorrow.”
“A salad!” he calls back. “I promise.”
I’m smiling when I dive into my work and start scouring the data Crystal has sent me. She was right when she said that I’d be pleased. There are a lot of items beyond wine to sell and a lot of money to be made. If Ed buys all the wine, it will be lucrative. Enough to pay my bills and pay for part of Walker, if not all. Okay, probably part of Walker. My mortgage was technically due a week ago. I’d really feel more secure if I paid for it and I suspect they are quite expensive.
For now, that wine makes my first order of business Ed. I dial his number and he answers on the first ring.
“Aria,” he greets. “Your follow-up to our last meeting is surprisingly slow.”
I glance at my bandaged hand and use it for what it’s worth. “I tried to slice the top of my hand off. Fortunately, I failed. And fortunately, I’m coming back strong. I managed to gain access to a healthy list of collectible wines.”
“Am I bidding against Alexander Voss?”
“No, you are not, but this is a contract through an auction house. I have to bring in a price that makes skipping the auction process worthwhile.”