Lovelyn seemed to hold her breath, releasing it in disappointment when no recognition appeared in the woman’s expression.
“Don’t know her. I’m keeping the cash.”
I regarded her. “You can if you tell us where sex workers would start in this town if they came in from outside.”
“Young or old?”
“Mid-twenties. Knows her stuff.”
“Heaven takes new girls, cash in hand for stripping. No names until they prove themselves.”
I was pretty certain that was all we were getting but waited for Lovelyn to give me the sign. We left the place.
“That was a good question. Heaven is on my list for this evening when it opens at nine. You’ve made me feel more positive about it.”
An odd feeling took root in my chest, sparked by her praise. I shook it off and drove us onto the next location.
Two hours and six brothels on, we had nothing more. No one knew Dixie’s name or admitted it. Lovelyn suggested lunch, her arms tucked close around her as a cold wind blasted Warford’s streets. Alone, I would’ve settled for a roadside burger van, but I took us into the city centre and let Lovelyn pick out a café.
While she went inside with my wallet and my order for whatever contained meat and a drink with caffeine, I watched her through the glass. If I could avoid it, I didn’t enter busy shops or restaurants. Clubs were mostly fine because of their size, the brothels had been tolerable as we weren’t lingering, butto sit down in a stuffy, enclosed environment was out of the question.
Lovelyn reached the till and chatted with the barista. Then she moved to the end of the counter and rested back on her elbows. Her gaze found mine through the glass.
I didn’t blink. Though she’d shut me down twice, I couldn’t forget the taste of her. The feel of her under my hands. She was fucking gorgeous, and one touch had been nowhere near enough. I didn’t hide the want in my stare.
Pink formed on her cheeks.
When the food was delivered, she brought it outside. I took the bag and coffee holder from her hands, and we returned to the car. Lovelyn put the radio on, dancing in her seat while she unpacked the meal, handing me a sandwich stacked with sliced beef.
“There’s horseradish and rocket in with the meat, hopefully healthy and tasty. You asked for coffee, so you’ve got that, but I also grabbed you one of these juice bottles for the vitamin C. They’re small with too much sugar, but that’s okay because we aren’t having dessert.”
Another strange feeling settled in me. I wasn’t familiar with someone taking the time to consider the nutritional value of what I ate. I took care of myself. I always had.
I couldn’t find the words to thank her.
Lovelyn peeked at me, and her shoulders went down. “I got it wrong, didn’t I? I’m sorry. We can trade.”
Far worse than the array of emotions I’d discovered this morning was the lurch in my gut. I’d upset her again.
“It’s fine. I…like it.”
The words were like chewing rocks, but it was worth it for her sunshine smile.
“You’re sure? Okay, good. Let’s eat.”
My misery dissolved, replaced by a deeper concern. For a month or so, I’d been aware of her, attraction building at each encounter, yet a week of actively seeking out her company, and I somehow cared about her emotional state. For more than just the need to get the job done.
I needed to immediately shut that shit down.
Chapter 18
Lovelyn
Day turned to evening. We’d exhausted my brothel list in our hunt for Dixie and retreated to Kane’s car, the heating on to combat the cold night.
He still didn’t close the window next to him, not until he climbed out to make a call. That fact lodged away with all the other things I found fascinating about him.
This evening was for the clubs, though only one publicly advertised strippers. I hadn’t exactly come prepared for clubbing, but had a black bodysuit that emphasised my boobs and flattened my stomach. Paired with my long dark-purple skirt and a full face of makeup, it would do. In the car’s tiny mirror, I drew on cat’s eyes, added contour and pink lip gloss, then teased my hair into a high ponytail, leaving two long strands to frame my face.
