Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 106806 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 534(@200wpm)___ 427(@250wpm)___ 356(@300wpm)
“Are you ready to tell me what the end game is here?”
I swallow and blow out a breath. “You already know.”
“Right. He has something of yours and you want it back. And him watching me drink cocktails will help how?”
“Slowly. Just like it’s supposed to.” I tilt my head toward the door. “Ready?”
Something flashes in her eyes. Confusion? Hurt? But she lifts her chin, snatches her handbag off the dresser, and heads for the door.
I follow her down the hall and into a waiting elevator that feels way too small. She won’t look at me, but she scoots closer as the floors tick down, the back of her hand brushing my thigh. Is she nervous, or is this about torturing me?
When the doors slide open, she moves to step out, but I grab her hand to stop her. She doesn’t face me, but she waits and lets the doors slide closed again.
“He won’t touch you.” My voice is serrated. Gravelly. “I wouldn’t do this if I wasn’t sure of that, but I need you to act naturally, and the more you know, the harder that will be. I can’t afford for him to be even a little suspicious.”
The elevator ascends.
Slowly, she turns and looks up at me through dark lashes. “Why do you care who touches me when you won’t?”
The elevator dings softly as it passes each floor, and the air between us draws tighter and tighter with every second. I can’t bring myself to lie. To tell her I don’t care.
The doors slide open, and the woman waiting on the other side steps back at the sight of us. “Oh,” she says. “Going down?”
I hold Savvy’s gaze for a beat before she nods imperceptibly.
She turns to the woman and greets her with a smile. “Yep!”
“Do you two have special plans tonight?” the woman asks, stepping in to join us.
Savvy cuts her eyes to me then back to the woman. “Not so special.”
“Well, you’re certainly a lovely looking couple. I’m sure you’ll have a good time no matter what’s in store.”
“For sure,” Savvy says.
This time when the elevator doors open, she strides out before I have a chance to stop her. I expect her to wait for me in the lobby, but she keeps going right out the front doors.
“Oh,” the woman squeaks again. “You better go catch up.”
“We’re not together.” I don’t know why I tell her. It doesn’t matter what she thinks. Maybe I’m trying to convince myself.
The woman pats my arm gently. “Oh, honey. I saw the way you two were looking at each other. It’s only a matter of time.”
SAVVY
Oliver is the most maddening man I’ve ever met in my life.
I swear I can feel his gaze burning me from all the way across the street, but I refuse to look over my shoulder to check.
The host greets me at the front of the restaurant, and I motion toward the bar and stride past him. This time I don’t sit at the end. This time I take Mr. Silver Fox’s seat from last time and no one stops me. If he really is such a creature of habit, he probably takes the same spot every time.
“Good evening,” the bartender says. “Would you like the wine list?”
“Just a vodka martini, please. Up. With extra olives.”
“My pleasure.”
While he busies himself making my drink, my phone buzzes. I pull it from my purse.
Oliver: Wrong seat. Move down. He’s a creature of habit and you’ll throw him off.
I darken the screen and slide it back into my purse, ignoring Oliver’s instructions and taking the martini from the bartender. I don’t understand what this is all about, but if I’m going to do it, I’m going to do it my way.
“Good evening, sir,” the bartender says to someone behind me. “My apologies. We didn’t know you were in town, or we would’ve saved your seat.” He nervously looks back and forth between me and the person behind me.
I glance over my shoulder and give Mr. Silver Fox my best innocent smile. “Is this your seat?”
He pulls out the stool next to me and slides onto it. “Don’t be silly. I can sit anywhere.”
From the corner of my eye, I see the bartender visibly sag.
Mr. Silver Fox looks me over, pleased. “I wasn’t sure I’d see you again. Do you live around here?”
I bite into an olive then lick the brine from my lips. “I’m in town visiting a friend.”
“And yet here you are, drinking alone again. Is he too busy for you?”
“She.” I look up at him through my lashes. “She’s with her boyfriend tonight, and I don’t mind drinking alone from time to time.”
He extends a hand. “I’m Charles.”
“Savannah Downing,” I say, and his eyes light up. “It’s nice to meet you.” I take his hand, ready to have every sixth sense in my body stand at alert and tell me he’s a creep. But it doesn’t. I’m getting nothing but decent human vibes from this guy.