“Your face is fine. I’m sure Valerie will understand. She’ll think it’s a new fashion trend.”
I look in the mirror, running my bluish hands over my face. Thank God I didn’t submerge my head in the bath.
“Try washing again with clean water. Maybe it’ll come off,” he suggests, trying and failing to keep a straight face.
I nod. “Good idea. Now get out so I can try to un-Smurf myself in peace.”
After I shower again and again, scrubbing my skin with soap until it hurts, I give up. The color has faded a bit, but there’s no mistaking the bluish tint.
Ryder doesn’t even try to hide his amusement when I emerge from the bathroom.
“Are you happy to see me embarrassed at tomorrow’s meeting? To stand in front of the couple with blue skin? She fired her previous designer for less than this.”
The smile vanishes from his face. “No. That’s the last thing I want, you know that. You should conquer the world, Cora.”
There’s a knock on the door.
I go to open it, but Ryder beats me to it, blocking my path with his body. “Did you order something?”
I shake my head.
“Wait behind the wall.”
I nod, going to the bedroom and hiding behind the wall. But I can’t resist peeking.
Ryder draws his gun and holds it behind his back as he opens the door.
A hotel employee stands outside, and they exchange a fewwords I can’t hear. Then the employee wheels in a food cart and leaves.
“What’s this?” I emerge from hiding.
“Looks like your client asked them to send you some food.”
“Nice.” I lift the cloche to reveal strawberries in whipped cream. I lift the other cloche, where there’s a plate with steak and potatoes.
I glance at Ryder. “She doesn’t know you’re here with me, so there’s only one meal. Unless you want to arm wrestle me for it?”
“It’s fine,” he says, ever the stoic. “I’ll order my own.”
“You can eat the steak. I’ll have the strawberries,” I offer. “I’m not very hungry, and you must be starving. I heard your stomach from across the room.”
“Thanks.” He takes the plate and sits on the sofa.
I take a strawberry, dip it in the mound of whipped cream, and bite. My eyes nearly roll back in my head. “Fuck, this is orgasmic,” I groan, taking another bite. “I think I just found my new religion.”
Ryder’s eyes are fixed on me. He’s not eating, and he’s not even trying to hide it. It’s like I’m on display again, but this time, I kind of like it.
I take more of the cream on my finger, put it in my mouth, and suck it. Ryder doesn’t say a word, but his hand tightens on the plate.
“Mmm...” I moan again, using everything I have to heighten the effect on him. I’m playing with fire, but damn if it doesn’t feel good to burn.
“Want some?” I take more cream on my finger and bring it toward his mouth. “It’s heavenly. Life-changing, even.”
“Little Trouble, don’t.” His voice is strained like he’s holding back a tsunami with his bare hands.
“Don’t what?” I ask, sucking my finger again. “Don’t eat whipped cream? Don’t offer you any? Do you want me to be less polite? Because I can be very impolite if you prefer.” I take another strawberry, holding it between two fingers, and offer it to him, bringing my hand closer. “Come on, live a little. One bite won’t kill you.”
He grabs my wrist, stopping me just before I reach his mouth.
