Gavin is watching me carefully, then he says, “You really are an amazing woman. I’m not sorry Vin didn’t see that. If he had, I wouldn’t have the pleasure of your company.” He pauses. “I really like you, Sophie.”
Not sorry Vin didn’t see that?For some reason, this comment irritates me.
“Again, it wasn’t like that between Vin and I, but you’re very kind,” I say. “Thank you.”
To make sure he doesn’t see the irritation on my face, I turn to look out the window. And there he is, like we manifested him: Vin.
But he’s not alone.
Standing on the sidewalk in front of the Arsenal, hands in the pockets of his dark coat, his jaw sharp, Vin is talking to a woman.I register the fur coat first, then the dark hair, then she turns so I can see her in profile.
Valentina.
As I watch, she pushes up close to him, her palms flat against his chest. She tips her chin up, says something I can’t hear, and then she kisses him.
He lets her.
When they part, her hand trails down his stomach and then lower and she drags her palm across the front of his pants, over his cock.
He doesn’t stop her.
I pull in a breath through my nose, slow and quiet, and look down at my coffee cup.
There it is.
He told me exactly who he was going to be. He said it plainly: marry for alliance, live the life he wanted on the side. I knew this. I have known this. The last time I saw him, he had me bent over his kitchen counter with his hands on my ass and his mouth at my ear while he came inside me. No matter what he said at the time—or any other time—I was just one of his women on the side.
I blink, the heat of embarrassment spreading across my chest. I can’t believe I let that happen. It’s my own fault, my inability tokeep my hands off a man who has never once offered me what I need.
I smooth my hands over the table and force a smile I don’t feel.
“Are you okay?” Gavin’s voice is careful.
“Yes.” I smile at him and the smile is steady, but I need to make sure he doesn’t look out the window right now. “I just need to get back. Lunch service starts soon and I want to check on the kitchen before it gets busy.” I reach for my bag. “Would you mind terribly if we—”
“Of course not.” He’s already signaling for the check. When the waitress arrives, he stands and pays then moves his hand to the small of my back guiding me to the front door.
Which will take us right past Vin and Valentina and whatever is happening on that sidewalk.
“Actually—” I step out of his grasp. “Can we go out the back way? I’d love some fresh air and the alley cuts through to the Arsenal. "
“Say no more.” Gavin stands and picks up his coat. “I know the back way too.” He smiles and it’s genuine and warm and utterly uncomplicated. I feel a wave of gratitude. It’s nice to have something easy for once.
25
VIN
The SUV has been parked in front of the Arsenal all morning. I saw it when I woke up, and I stand in the window of my apartment above the restaurant staring at it as I brush my teeth.
Obviously, there are thousands of SUVs in the world, and in NYC we have no shortage of them. But I know who’s driving this one. Or rather, who’s sitting in the driver seat behind those tinted windows.
My toothbrush buzzes as I wait for something to happen—him to get out of the car, flash his lights, something—but nothing does.
Not that anything usually happens. I’ve seen the SUV a few times now, not just parked outside of the restaurant but outside of a couple vendor meetings I had. At first I thought I might beimagining it, seeing Vin everywhere when he’s nowhere in my life.
But it’s him, and he’s everywhere. I’m not imagining it. But why?
It’s when I’m half bent over the sink, spitting out my toothpaste, that it hits me: he wants me to be his side piece, and he’s willing to stalk me to get it done.
