Jackson grinned. ‘Everyone’s her type if they can deliver in the bedroom.’
Heat unfurls deep within my gut. I can’t pinpoint the cause. Desire, envy, anger... She’s just like my ex, I try to tell myself. Only, Jess’s vice was money. Coco’s is sex. Just as her brother had said.
‘How often does she come in here?’
‘Depends. You asking for you, or for work?’
‘Does it matter?’
It really didn’t. It wasn’t like I’d put his livelihood at stake. It was the reason her brother was giving me shit. He expected me to have uncovered something by now, and the one thing I’d uncovered was the one thing I couldn’t divulge.
‘I’ve promised I’m taking your secrets to the grave regardless.’
‘Glad to hear it.’
He’s talking to me but his eyes are on her, just as mine were. His expression is thoughtful, almost concerned. And I’m listening, my ears attuned to whatever has him looking so intent.
‘It used to be once a fortnight, occasionally once a week, but lately it’s been more.’
‘More?’
‘Yeah.’ He looks back to me. ‘She’s probably been here twice this past week alone.’
‘And that bothers you?’
‘Not so much bothers me, but you know... This place serves a purpose, and whatever that is for her seems to me she’s needing it more and more.’
‘It’s sex, Jackson. Perhaps she’s just on heat.’
I’m purposefully harsh, flippant, but I don’t want his concern. It doesn’t pay for me to care, to soften towards her, but I can feel it happening. As each day goes by, each new discovery only adds to the appealing enigma that is Coco Lauren.
‘It’s more than that for people like her.’
Jackson’s like a dog with a bone. He’s not letting this go. Maybe she’s ensnared him too. Not that I’m ensnared—unable to douse the attraction more like.
‘They come here to get away from it all, and if she’s upping her visits, something’s bothering her.’
‘You sound like you care.’
‘She’s nice, that’s all.’ He gives a shrug and his eyes drift back in her direction. I let mine do the same, watching as she walks in the direction of the ladies’ room, her hips swaying provocatively. I feel the telltale ripple of heat through my groin and clench my jaw.
‘You could be good for her, you know.’
Jackson’s tone has a sincere ring to it that makes my blood run cold, as effective as a cold shower ever would be. Never would I go back to a woman like that. They have a knack for taking you to your knees and I’ve no interest in risking that again.
‘If you haven’t forgotten how to do it, that is?’
‘Shut it, Jackson, or regardless of your bouncers I’ll take you down right now.’
I shake my head and neck the minuscule drink. He’s hit a nerve and he knows it. Hell, maybe that’s why Lady Legs is having such an undesirable effect on my libido.
Who are you kidding? The reason you haven’t had sex in an age is because you can’t find anyone who does it for you. That is, you couldn’t until you started this job, until her...
I look to the closed lavatory door and beat back the thought.
You’re here on business, not for sex. And if you were looking for sex it wouldn’t be with one of these hoity-toity bitches who remind you so much of Jess.
* * *