“Patience Noelle,” I say, “it’s been a long time.” I smile, flicking my tongue out to dampen my lips.
She takes a deep breath and stands up, coming toe to toe with me. I think she’s going to smile, maybe even kiss me. Fuck me, she’s prettier in person than her pictures. How that’s even possible, I’m not sure, but it’s true.
Her eyes narrow as she rears back, her hand coming down hard to slap me across the face. The sound echoes between us. It’s like a gnat bite to the cheek, but that isn’t exactly the point.
She turns her back on me and picks up her things before looking back around and glaring at me. “Not long enough,” she hisses, her fat lips practically spitting venom as her eyes narrow.
She squeezes past me, and like the bastard I am, I let her walk away, too shocked and too turned on to stop her. Because if there’s one thing I like more than anything, it’s a feisty woman I can teach to submit.
The jangle of the bell above the door signals her leaving, and I stare after her, rubbing a hand along my cheek and giving a low chuckle.
This task just got a whole lot harder, but I’m going to enjoy getting her in my bed.
Iwalk into the retirement home, a huge bunch of flowers under one arm and a bag of candy in the other. I’m dressed in my best smart-casual attire, because jeans and a leather jacket won’t do for this type of place if I want to win her round.
The woman working reception looks up sharply, her gaze taking in every inch of me as she gives me a warm smile. “Welcome to Nouvelle nursing home, can I help you?”
I step to her desk, leaning on it and giving her my best panting-melting smile. “I’m actually looking for Patience Noelle, I believe that she helps out here?”
The receptionist’s face falls. “Yes, she’s already started. Are you here to volunteer?”
I nod, and she hands me a sign-in sheet. “We’re all going to be here one day, you know? We have to look after our elderly.”
Her cheeks turn pink as I throw her another smile. “Yes. Exactly.”
I slide a check over the counter to her. “Hopefully this will help.”
Nouvelle Nursing Home is in financial trouble. Sebastian got me that information within thirty seconds of looking. He downloaded an itinerary of all the places Patience frequented, and with every line I read, I disliked this task more and more. If Sabella ever finds out I fucked this girl up, she’ll never forgive me. She is so like Sabella, it’s freaky. She is good and kind, honest. She gives up her time, money. Jesus fuck, she’s everything I’m not.
The receptionist opens the envelope, and her smile grows wider. “Oh my,” she murmurs, her gaze fixing on me. “Let me take you down there.”
She starts to stand up, but I hold up a hand. “No need. I’ll find it.”
I sign in and head down the corridor, feeling the receptionist’s eyes on my ass the entire time. I grimace as I look around. This place is in dire need of repair and redecoration. The paper is curling in the corners, the carpet is greying and a funky smell hangs in the air that reminds me of death. Not to mention that there are large cracks in the walls.
I’d rather die than end up in a place like this.
The door to the coffee room is open and I look in, my gaze scanning everywhere for her, finally finding her pouring coffee for a guy who reminds me of the skeleton dude from Tales from the Crypt Keeper. The old perv is staring right down her top as she pours him a coffee, but instead of feeling angry, I chuckle, knowing I would do the same damn thing.
I can’t help my smile as I look at all the happy faces. This place might be a shithole, but no one here seems to care. Another girl walks over and speaks to Patience, and she nods and smiles, placing her hand on the other girl’s arm. God, what I wouldn’t fucking give to have her touch me like that…and more.
I straighten my shoulders and walk in, heading straight to the oldest lady in the place and handing her one of the flowers from the bunch I’m carrying. She gives me a gummy smile as a little light enters back into her gray eyes.
“Oh, I haven’t been given flowers since I was thirty-two years old,” she coos. “Thank you, young man. You’ve made this old lady very happy.”
I shrug and look around. “I don’t see any old ladies around here,” I reply with a wink, and she laughs as I move to the next old broad and do the same thing. It’s around the eighth old lady when Patience comes over to me, hissing in my ear.
“What are you doing here?” she bites out.
I turn to face her, looking surprised. “Wow, what a surprise. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
She rolls her eyes at me. “Cut the crap, Samuel.”
I give her a half shrug and walk away, and because I’m an arrogant bastard, I know she’ll follow me. She comes to stand in front of me, blocking my view of an old lady wearing a head scarf, her hair fluffing out the sides of it like an old Romanian woman.
“Do you mind?” I ask with a scowl. “I’m trying to put a little light back into these people’s lives.”
Her mouth drops open, and she stumbles over the words that don’t quite make it past her tongue. She glances to the side, then back to me before letting out a frustrated sigh.
