Total pages in book: 72
Estimated words: 69909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69909 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 350(@200wpm)___ 280(@250wpm)___ 233(@300wpm)
“That’s Jacque. He’s doing me a favor so let’s not waste his time.”
“Fine. But I’m paying you back.”
“Fine.” He shrugs a shoulder and climbs out of the SUV. I do the same and we walk toward Jacque. Zeke introduces us and we walk inside. I imagine this place is booked months in advance but rather than going into the main salon, Jacque shows us into a large private room set for just one client. Everything in the room screams luxury. It’s like a personal beauty salon.
“Wow,” I comment.
“Society women enjoy their privacy,” Jacque tells me as he gestures to a rack of what looks like brand new clothes. “The things you asked for arrived. Voila,” he says to Zeke. “Anything that is not to your liking they’ll pick up later.”
“Clothes?” I ask.
Zeke walks his fingers through the rack, quickly rifling through the various jeans and tops and more casual wear than what’s in the suitcase. He’s not checking a single price tag. I know how much designer jeans cost, and these are designer.
“We’ll take them all,” Zeke says.
“Hold on.” I shake my head. “That’s too much. What I just told you, did you hear anything I said?”
Zeke turns to Jacque, and it takes that one glance between them for Jacque to excuse himself.
“Helping me with my sister is one thing, but all this? I can’t accept it,” I say once we’re alone.
“You have one pair of jeans, Blue. One. I don’t think what Isabelle sent is your style.”
“The clothes are very nice and I’m grateful, but—”
“You’re not used to being looked after.” He takes my arms and rubs them. I furrow my brows, his words stopping me. He’s right. “So let me do it. For now. All you have to do is say thank you and move on.”
This isn’t that simple. There’s more going on beneath the surface between us. I’m having feelings for him and after last night, I don’t know, maybe he’s having those same feelings for me, but maybe it’s wishful thinking. I can’t be sure because one minute he’s warning me to stay away and the next he’s kissing me like he does, fucking me. No. Not fucking me. He’s making love to me in his own way. What we’re doing, it’s not just fucking no matter how much he may tell himself that.
But this man is a walking contradiction. He’s experienced in ways I can’t begin to comprehend. I’m falling for him. Hell, I’ve fallen for him. And he’s warned me not to. But then he does these things and I’m so fucking confused.
“This isn’t only about some jeans, is it?” he asks.
I take a deep breath in because I do need to discuss one other thing. “I need you to remove yourself as a contact for Wren.”
He pauses for a beat. “What?”
“You’re the primary contact on her file. Rudy mentioned it.”
“I didn’t realize it mattered. You’re also listed as a contact, Blue.”
“But you’re the primary. That means you could decide to move her without my knowledge and—”
“What?” he asks, sounding more than confused.
“I mean, you could—”
“Don’t be stupid.” His hands tighten on my arms.
“I’m not being stupid. And Rudy. The money you deposited into his account before he even had a chance to consider it.”
“I paid him a very generous bonus to go to the new facility with your sister. I thought that’s what you’d want.”
“It is. I mean… It’s just how you’re doing it. Zeke, I can’t… I don’t know…”
“It’s not a big deal. I mean, what do you think I’m going to do, kidnap Wren?”
I hear how stupid that sounds. “I just don’t like being in anyone’s debt. That’s all.”
“You don’t owe me anything. Period. I’m getting fucking tired of this conversation.”
“Why? Why are you doing all this?”
“For fuck’s sake, Blue.”
I shake my head, not understanding. The way he looks at me, he way he touches me all contradict his warning to me that he can’t give me more.
“Tell me why. Maybe if I understand why it’ll help.”
His jaw tightens.
“Zeke—”
“Just let me take care of this. Of you. I failed my sister, Blue. I don’t want to fail you.”
I look up at him, slow to process his words. My heart sinks to my stomach. That’s what this is. I need to remember that. He is atoning for having failed his sister, a sin that doesn’t belong to him but one he holds tight to his chest, nonetheless. I just have to remember what it means for me. For us. When he kisses me, when he makes love to me, I can’t let myself get lost in it. I must guard my heart. He’s warned me. God, he’s warned me so many times. And I’m so stupid.
“Okay?” he asks, peering down at me.
I nod.
“I’ve got you, Blue,” he says. “I promise.”
Jacque knocks on the door, opening it a crack. “Knock-knock. Are you ready for me?”