He exhaled slowly. “Why didn’t you approach me?”
I laughed gently. “Would you have given me a chance?”
He winced against me and shook his head, a chuckle escaping him. “No.”
“That’s why. It was the only way to get your attention.”
“I don’t know what I can give you,” he whispered, so no one else would hear him. “I’ve never been in a relationship. I’ve never had an example of a healthy one, either. You know I was….”
“I know, but we can learn together because I’m not entirely sure I know how to be in one, either. Not many of mine lasted long. They couldn’t handle my disabilities.”
He made a fierce sound. “They’re idiots.”
“Or maybe they realized I was longing for someone else.” I cradled his face between my hands, sweeping my thumb across his high cheekbone. “I pushed you too quickly. I took you away from the only place you knew, and I didn’t think about the consequences. So, let’s try again, something slower. Let me take you out on dates around New Gothenburg.”
Silence filled the foyer of the hotel. I couldn’t even hear our audience, as though they were holding their breath, waiting for Darcy’s answer. I felt his smile with the touch of my thumb against the side of his mouth, and relief washed through me, the tension in my muscles releasing.
“Fine, but you’re buying wherever we go.” The teasing in his words made me laugh.
“Deal. I can’t argue with that.” I dragged him into a kiss, ignoring the gasps and murmuring going on around us.
“Are you done making a scene?” Darcy grumbled. “Because my people have work to do.” I could guess he was glaring—but not at me.
I laughed. “Can I wait for you in the bar area? I’d love to spend some time with you today.”
“If you must.” Regardless of his words, there was a bit of uncontrolled excitement in the way he trembled slightly under my touch. “I’ll need an hour. I’m currently handling a situation in the game room.”
“Game room?” That was new. When I’d worked here they didn’t have one.
He lowered his voice so only I would hear. “It’s for our VIPs. Sometimes they just want to have sex and then play a round of cards with people who have more money than sense. Or the other way around. Game, then sex.”
It made sense. I’d spent enough time guarding Madam Winters that I’d met all kinds of people, and most of them had too much money, which was why they chose to spend it on professionals when they could probably get a piece of ass at a club. They wanted to feel important. But then, I couldn’t talk. I dropped a lot of cash for one night with Darcy.
“I’ll wait for you at the bar,” I said, giving him a kiss on the mouth.
He hummed in acknowledgement and stepped away from me.
“What are you looking at? Get back to work,” he snapped, and I laughed. His footsteps echoed farther away from me, and I shook my head, grabbing Lemonade’s harness and telling her to walk. I used the cane to guide myself into where I knew the bar was located, and one of the bartenders met me, kindly directing me to an available table. I thanked him as I took a seat.
“What can I get you to drink, sir?”
It couldn’t have been more than three in the afternoon, but what the hell? “Whiskey. Rocks, please.”
“Of course. I’ll be right back.”
I settled into the chair, Lemonade lying at my side. She placed her head on my foot, and I smiled. I used the voice app to text Ford a thumbs-up and waited. The bartender came back with my drink, and I thanked him as I took a sip. Closing my eyes, I relished the burn that came with the smooth alcohol slipping down my throat.
Perfect—like Darcy.
The sounds of a commotion out in the foyer made me smile and swallow half my drink. There was shouting, and Darcy’s outraged voice had me laughing. A few curses and some screams from patrons. I continued to wait.
Heavy bodies hit the floor, most likely guards.
More screams and the noise of Tasers being fired.
Then it all went silent as the glass doors shut with a loud clatter. Everyone was talking at once, and I rose, my glass still in my hand and my cane under my arm as I ordered Lemonade to walk. We went out to the foyer, and sharp heels clicked on the floor, heading my way.
“Was thisyou?” Madam Winters snarled, very unladylike.
