“Rent, new shoes, and a filling.”
He frowned. “You bought dental work?”
“It’s amazing how much healthcare can feel like a luxury to those who don’t have it.”
He thought of his mother, of how desperate she was for drugs. Desperate enough to sell her own son. “You didn’t buy one thing for yourself?”
She twisted her lips. “I bought a coffee.”
“That’s food.”
She shook her head. “Not this kind. It was made from one of those fancy machines with frothed milk and a design in the top.”
“What was the design?”
“A clover. Why are you scowling?”
“I think I need to raise the price of things if all you were able to buy was a coffee, a filling, and a pair of shoes.”
“Don’t forget rent.” She drained her cup again and hummed. “I actually think I really like champagne. Can I have some more?”
He refilled her glass, waiting for her to sip. When she did, he pulled her lips to his, stealing it right out of her mouth. She moaned and softened under his kiss, melting a little more into her chair. A little too much.
“Shit.” She jumped up when the champagne spilled onto her lap, soaking the sheet. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay.”
“I think I’m a little drunk.” She brushed a hand over the spill. “And wet.”
“Let me help.” He tugged the sheet, drawing her into the space between his knees, then letting it fall to her feet.
A delicate blush climbed over her breasts as his gaze traveled upward. He laced his fingers with hers and pulled her to his lap.
She hesitated. “Are you sure?”
He nodded. “I want to try something.”
She lowered to his lap, her knees sliding to frame his hips. His body responded instantly. He set her hands on either arm of the Chesterfield, bringing her breast level with his mouth. Leaning forward, he slowly licked the tips, sucking each one into a damp, pink point.
Parted lips. Dilated eyes. So patient. So perfect.
He glanced between her legs at the downy nest of curls. Slowly, he dragged his thumb over the soft patch until he found her little nub. He rubbed slow circles, and her breath caught. He loved how responsive she was to his touch and resented how little time they had left.
The sky had shifted to a dark violet. He despised every responsibility awaiting him. They were running out of time, and he wasn’t in any position to rush.
“What if I said don’t leave at dawn?”
“What?”
“Do you have—” His stomach twisted. “Someone waiting for you to return?”
“I… I have a job.”
“In two hours, you’ll be a millionaire, Daisy. You’re not going back to that job.”
“My co-workers will be worried. We weren’t allowed to tell anyone where we were going, and I never go anywhere.”
“So you’d need to make a phone call?”
