“Sure,” I agree, thinking of Adrian’s warning last night, his gall, thinking he has any right to tell me to stay away from my own child. “But I’m not taking that risk. Right, you’ve got your jobs. In the meantime, I’m going to meet with some more private art sellers. Might as well make the most of this time.”
At lunchtime, I wait in the café for Ava, wondering if she’ll show. The memory of the phone sex keeps tugging at me, making my body respond with a savage hunger that tightens my every muscle. I try to push it away, reminding myself this isn’t about that…
And hell, she sounded pretty pissed after that was done. Like she regretted it.
When she walks into the café, I stand, hoping to hide my disappointment that Theo isn’t with her. I was hoping to see him.
She looks beautiful, hair tied up, form-hugging black pants and a suit jacket that gives her a professional appearance that causes pride to swell in me… pride I probably have no right to, but still.
She approaches my table, and I move in for a hug. She steps back and raises her hands. Her pulse pounds visibly in her neck as if she’s just stepped too close to something dangerous. Like she’s afraid…of what she’ll let herself do if I touch her?
“Coffee?” I ask.
“Sure,” she replies. “Thank you.”
I go to the counter, get us some drinks, then return. She’s biting her lip when I turn around, watching me. When she sees me notice, she quickly lets it go.
I set the coffees down, then stand over the table.
She looks up at me, eyebrow raised. “Well, are you going to sit?”
This part is going to be awkward.
“Before we talk about anything, we need to go into the hall,” I say. “Somewhere private?”
Her eyes widen a fraction. “Why?”
“You need to trust me on this. I’m prepared to take a very, very big risk for you, Ava. But you need to meet me halfway.”
“And if I say no?”
I swallow. “Then we’ll need to rearrange.”
She considers, then huffs out a sigh. “Fine. I’ll play your game for now.”
I lead her into the corridor that leads to the bathrooms, glancing up and down to make sure no one can see us.
“I need to pat you down,” I tell her.
She laughs, shaking her head, then abruptly grows serious. “For real?” That spark of defiance enters her eyes. “The phone call wasn’t enough, huh?”
My body responds viscerally, but I try not to let it show. Damn right, that phone call wasn’t enough.
“You think I’m wearing a wire,” she says after a pause.
I just stare at her.
“Jesus Christ,Mikey.” Her eyes rolling to the back of her head.
“I’ll be quick.”
She throws her hands up. “How is this my life?”
I step forward, feeling the heat radiating from her body, watching as a bead of sweat slides down her neck and disappears into her shirt. I’ve never been jealous of sweat before, but as it vanishes into her ample cleavage, I am.
“Don’t make this into something extra,” she snaps.
“Fair enough.”
