Thoughts like how no one would believe I let anything happen, even if he told them.
How easy it would be to take what I need. One moment. One kiss. A few stolen minutes of relief after almost a year without sex, six months without so much as a touch.
“Are you afraid of me, Luisa? You have no reason to be.”
I turn to face him, glaring. “How often have you said that and meant it?”
It’s a mistake.
The second my eyes meet his, my pulse stutters. His dark gaze threatens to rip my soul out and drag me onto his lap.
For a split second, kissing him seems like a really good idea.
We’re waiting for food. Conversation feels like a loaded gun. Kissing would be so much easier.
No, that’s just the devil on my shoulder talking.
Angelo rubs his chin, his finger brushing over his bottom lip like he knows exactly what I’m thinking. “Am I that scary?”
I open my mouth, then close it. His lips shouldn’t be this distracting.
“Answering a question with a question is...” Shit. Where was I going with that? “It’s pointless. Not a conversation.”
“Fine, an answer for an answer.” He tilts his head, studying me like I’m a puzzle he’s already halfway solved. “I’ve said it to... three people in my life and meant it. To be clear, detective, my sister isn’t on that list.”
My throat tightens. “You’re not that scary. You’re just that convincing of a liar.” I breathe the words out before I can stop myself.
A slow, knowing smirk tugs at his lips.
“I think we need alcohol to talk,” Angelo decides.
I let out a short laugh. “As long as I’m here, I’m on the clock. Drink whatever you want. I’ll have tea.”
Tea is placed in front of me, a thin slice of lemon floating in the steaming cup.
Angelo gets a whiskey sour.
I pluck the lemon from the rim and suck on it, eager for anything that will distract me from the heat radiating off his body. He’s too close.
“Once you eat, I’ll be working on separate things,” I say, clipping my tone.
“As will I. I still have a job, after all.”
“Feel free,” I respond.
A beat of silence. Then he chuckles. “You’re monitoring all of my online and phone activity, aren’t you?”
I lift my gaze to his. “Break the law and find out,” I dare him.
His voice dips to a low rumble. “I already told you how I’d break the rules, Topina.”
Dinner is awkward.
I try talking to the chef, but he either can’t speak or has mastered the art of staying out of Angelo’s way. Not that it matters—every time I ask something, Angelo answers for him, his smirk growing as my patience thins.
I finish my tea, switch to water, and excuse myself, heading to my laptop. Time to work.
I check the cameras. No alerts. No updates about another officer arriving yet—though one is scheduled to relieve me in the morning so I can get a few hours of sleep without worrying.
