“More like showed him the sidearmso he’d behave and have her back by eleven.”
Jace chuckles, and I decide that it’s beyond time for me to slink across the lobby and do my best to allow the floor to swallow me up as I wait for an elevator to my floor.
Unfortunately, the moment I start walking forward, I curse my gorgeous, stupidly expensive heels.
Because theclick-clickdraws the attention of both men.
Jace’s hazel eyes whip toward me, closely followed by Donnie’s brown ones.
“Hi, Ms. Austen. You look as beautiful as my baby girl last night.”
Which means that, somehow, I find myself obliged to stride forward, to lean close to the desk and take the photo he holds out.
He’s not wrong.
“She’s a beauty,” I say softly.
“Just like her mama,” he replies.
I carefully pass him back the picture. “Those college applications come back?”
He nods. “She’s heading to UCSD.”
“Wow,” I say. “Congratulations to you both.”
He grins proudly and I make my retreat, far too aware that Jace’s gaze tracks my movements. Far too aware of him asking, “Where’s Frank?”
Our surly doorman.
“He called off again.”
Tension and disapproval in the air. “That’s unacceptable.”
Considering the monthly maintenance fees we pay, I can’t disagree with him.
Still, that’s management’s issue to deal with.
I reach the elevators, jab at the button, willing it to come immediately.
Of course it doesn’t.
Of courseit only pings, announcing its arrival…right as the air around me shifts and changes, gathering tightly enough to make my bare skin prickle with goose bumps.
Even before I glance up, I know that he’s there.
That Jace Henderson is coming close again.
“Gonna take that ride, cookie?”
Why do I think about climbing on top of him, both of us naked, and having the ride of my life?
Probably because I’m a glutton for punishment.
He crouches a little, those hazel eyes holding mine. “Gorgeous”—I resist melting when that warm word slides down my spine—“get on the elevator.”
It’s an order, albeit a gentle one.
But that command snaps me out of my stupor.
