The thought of how we ended the last time helps deflate my cock enough that I don’t need her as an erection shield. I kiss the top of her head and release her.
As she saunters toward the table, I take the opportunity to look away and breathe in air that’s not full of her sweet scent. Time to refocus on the job.
Andrew’s advice streams behind my eyes like a breaking news tape at the bottom of a TV screen.
Don’t fall in love with the person of interest.
What Andrews didn’t tell me is how to handle it if I’m already in love with her. Because I don’t think I’ve ever fallen out of love with Lila Kent.
Morgan Freeman arrives, right on time and sounding satisfied as hell.
Finally, we’re getting somewhere. Maybe there’s hope for this burnt toast of a man after all.
Restingon the couch in the corner of the golf bay, she twists to face me. “That was a fun game. Are you mad I beat you?”
I chuckle. “Nope. I’m a gracious loser, as always.”
She pauses before taking a sip of her cocktail. “I’m glad this wasn’t in my mouth already, or I’d have done a spit take.”
“Please don’t mention something being in your mouth or spitting any more tonight, Lila. There’s only so much teasing I can take.”
We share a laugh, and the familiarity of our banter drives away some of my doubts about her. When we’re like this, casualand relaxed, it’s hard to recall why I ever thought she’d be involved in something criminal.
Even if she hurt me a few years ago, there’s no way this woman could ever be part of something violent.
Not a fucking chance.
“No more jokes until I’m done with this drink,” she orders coyly.
I offer a wordless nod of agreement.
My gaze lingers on her lips as they surround the straw. The way the column of her throat undulates with her swallow. How demurely she licks her lips to savor the taste after she releases the straw.
She’s so damn alluring.
Lila has enchanted me for years.
It’d be so much easier to leave her in my past if it were only her body that I desired. Regrettably, the physical connection only scratches the surface of my obsession.
I wish I could put my finger on what specifically I find so magnetic about her. Why can’t I stay away?
I used to think it was her happiness that drew me in. Like a moth to a flame, maybe her lightness was bright enough to cancel out my onyx existence. In that case, it’d be natural to want to linger in her orbit. To feel Lila’s warmth on my skin. And under it.
Given I’ve been damaged goods since I was a young boy, I figured her vibrancy was the yin to my yang.
It isn’t, though.
As time went on, I began to see the inky streaks under that shiny facade. Lila isn’t as happy as she pretends to be. It’s all an act.
In fact, I don’t think she’s happy at all.
Deep down, she’s damaged too.
Despite that realization, Istilllong to be near her. I always have. It’s an aching hunger I can’t satisfy with anything else. Fuck knows I’ve tried—with gambling, women, and booze. Nothing worked. Not even burying myself in my job kept me away from her for long.
Ironically, my job is forcing me closer now.
Lila taps my thigh twice, just above my knee, recapturing my wayward attention. “This is a much better ending to the day than I was having before you broke into my house again.” She grins to soften the dig.
