“Fancy a glass of red?” I extend, offering a glass of her favorite—though I’m betting she doesn’t recall that detail.
“Yes, please,” she peeps, her smile making my gut flutter. “Just half a glass.”
Watching her sip the wine, her lips tenderly enveloping the glass rim… sweet mother of God.
Dwayne breaks the moment. “You sure you should be drinking, Lucy?”
She pulls back, her voice edgy. “A sip won’t kill me, the doctor said so. Could you maybe stop monitoring my every move?”
Before Dwayne can respond, Taylor jumps in. “So, Mr. Wolfe, will we have the pleasure of your company tomorrow? We’d love your input but understand if you can’t spare the time.”
I leave the bar to join the group, positioning myself beside Lucy.
“Call me JP. And yes.” Our arms lightly touch, an electric jolt ignites between us. “I’ll be around. Checking in.”
I shift my gaze back to the others. “The rooms are on the first two floors. The one at the top will need to be shared. If anyone’s uncomfortable with that, I can arrange for accommodation in my hotel down the mountain.”
Just like in my Vegas home, the team will be sleeping on five-thousand-dollar silk sheets, bathing in deep-soaking bathtubs designed for sheiks, and doing their business on top-tier, remote-controlled, butt-warming Japanese super toilets.
As Matty drapes an arm around Lucy’s shoulders, a pang of jealousy slices through me. “We’ll be roomies. That way, Luce can make sure I get up.”
She seems unbothered, maybe even content, to share a room with him. That should be me by her side, sharing more than just a room.
“Are you sure about this, Lucy?” Taylor asks with an eyebrow raised. “Rooming with Matty will be hell.”
He grins cheekily. “Hey, she’s used to living above a brothel with a roommate named Spider. I’m a step up from that.”
“Well, that is true.” Taylor looks at her condescendingly. “I could never fathom why you chose to live inthat area. And look at the outcome—I’m relieved I chose Brooklyn.”
Lucy’s jaw tightens, the conversation clearly stirring discomfort. “It was a charming bakery when I moved in, okay? How could I predict its transformation into a red-light district? But you live, you learn. I’ll manage with Matty.”
Her smile is a bit too strained, her eyes a bit too haunted. I can see through the act.
That’s it. I’m buying that damn apartment, with or without her approval. I won’t stand by while she struggles.
Our heated argument months ago still rings in my ears. She accused me of controlling her life, bitterness lacing each word.
My intentions had been fueled by concern, not control. But maybe I had been heavy-handed, my protective instincts manifesting as overbearing actions. Or was it her own stubborn pride that had heightened the friction between us?
She’s fiercely independent, always wanting to carry her own weight. It’s one of the things I love about her, but it’s also the one thing that drove a wedge between us.
“I’m the one you should be pitying,” Matty chimes in, grinning. “She’ll be whimpering about Daredevil in her sleep and keeping me up all night.”
“What?” Taylor asks, confused.
Lucy blushes, shooting Matty a sharp warning glare. “Nothing!”
I can’t help but smirk, catching her eye. Good, let her think about our steamy moment, even if she’s clueless that it was me behind the mask.
“So why the change of scene from Vegas this time?” a developer pipes up. I think his name is Tony.
“Because this hackathon,” I begin, the edges of my lips curving up slightly, “is going to look a little different.”
Their collective body language tightens up, like they’re bracing for impact.
“Usually, you guys work like mad and party harder, but I’m suggesting a shift in tempo.” With a gesture toward the door, I say, “follow me.”
They look equal parts confused and terrified.
