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"I did not. She knew up front what the deal was."
"It's still wrong. Claiming there's no strings doesn't mean things can't change. She fell for you, and you walked away without trying."
This time he did flush. "I explain to every woman I'm not interested in long-term--you know that. You always praised me for being honest and up-front."
"Well, I'm changing my mind. I think it's crappy. You need to begin looking at the future. Why don't we be clients together? We can double-date!"
Wolfe wondered if he had had something bad for breakfast or if he really wanted to vomit. The image of them at a dinner table with two strangers was painful. She was giving him a headache.
"I'm happy the way things are. And I think the last thing you need is another emotional upheaval with some guy. Take a break from dating. Maybe you can learn a hobby. Knitting?"
She glared. "Am I eighty years old? No, I need to get my feet wet again. David almost broke something in me, and I want it back."
Crap. When she put it like that, he'd do anything to help her. "Sweetheart, don't you want to find healing within yourself rather than from outside sources?"
Her eyes widened. "Wow. You're getting really deep. Usually, I'd agree with you, but I'm tired of feeling afraid and unsure. I want to be brave and take a leap into the unknown. Does that make sense?"
Yeah, it did. He didn't understand why the thought of her diving back into dating bothered him so much. Usually they'd trade war stories and he'd help her get fixed up. What suddenly changed? Crankiness stirred so he changed the subject. "Why are you wearing that?"
"Huh? A skirt?"
"You hate fancy clothes. Did Kennedy try to do something to you?"
She stared at him like he'd sprouted horns. "You're acting really weird, dude. Did you work too hard at the seminar? How was it?"
"Fine." He didn't want to talk about work, or endless meetings, or sales figures. "I think we should talk more about this. How about we go to dinner tonight? I'll pick you up at seven."
She crossed her arms in front of her chest. "As long as you promise not to try and change my mind."
"I can't promise you that. But I'll buy you a burger."
Gen shook her head. "Fine. I'm easy. See you tonight."
He watched her walk back to the desk and slide into the chair, crossing her legs. The smooth expanse of white skin blinded him for a moment. She always joked about not having a drop of her Italian blood heritage, since she burned so easily and never tanned. But there was something about all that gorgeous naked flesh, soft and pure, that made his fingers curl to touch her.
Wolfe turned his back on her and his startling thoughts. He needed a cold shower and a nap. Lately he was beginning to wonder if the past three months of celibacy had been such a smart move. The break seemed like a good idea. He'd been tired of the delicate game of seduction lately, and how fast his partners seemed to get attached. Almost like they looked at him as a challenge to break down.
If only they'd realize there was nothing inside that hadn't already been broken.
Still, sex might take the edge off. The last thing he needed was lustful thoughts involving his best friend. She was the only healthy relationship with a female he'd ever been able to maintain. He refused to screw up the best thing that had ever happened to him due to a surge of testosterone.
Wolfe made the drive back to his place in Manhattan. His penthouse apartment had tons of security, luxury, and every amenity he could think of. The parquet floors and high ceilings were elegant, but his furnishings were spartan and masculine. Dark wood, glass, extensive computers and media, and bare walls. He barely slept there, finding it more convenient to stay at Purity, where he kept a tight rein on things.
Wolfe took a quick shower, changed, and put on a pot of coffee. Maybe he'd relax, watch a baseball game on television, then get some more work done. All in all, it had been a tough couple of days and he needed a break. Dinner with Gen would put him in a better mood. They'd get back to their usual buddy routine, and he'd begin working on finding a new sex companion who had nothing to do with Kinnections.
When the doorman buzzed and said a uniformed officer needed to see him, Wolfe got a bad feeling.
He was handed the temporary restraining order on behalf of a Dr. David Riscetti, who accused him of harassment and a host of other sins.
His bad feeling was right on. As usual.
He glanced through the papers. Wolfe had to give the son of a bitch credit. He was playing a chess game, and he was a great player. Wolfe couldn't care less about himself, as long as David stayed away from Gen. Unfortunately, his spidey senses were tingling again, as if he was missing a piece in an elaborate puzzle being put together.
Yeah. All in all, it was a shitty day.
GEN FINISHED INPUTTING INFORMATION into the specialized system Arilyn had created and wondered what was up with Wolfe.
She figured he'd be overjoyed to see her ready to ease back in the dating world. Instead, he looked grumpy and generally miserable. Probably the convention. He got so involved with his work he'd go nonstop for days without taking a break in the drive for success and to consistently show Sawyer he was worthy.
Her heart twanged. He was so guarded, but when he loved someone he'd put his life on the line. Was it wrong to want him to experience real love with a worthy woman? She needed to work on him. If he signed with Kinnections, he'd have a better chance at finding the right one.
Maybe it would cut off the weird sexual thoughts she'd been having about him lately.
Gen held back a sigh and went to refill her water bottle. He'd always been attractive. He made millions in underwear ads, flaunting tats, rock-hard abs, and lean muscles that elicited lust. But she'd always been able to separate the physical, and it never interfered with their friendship.
Until lately. She almost fell off her chair when he stormed in. The European suit was bold blue to match his eyes, and cut tight to mold to his body. With those chocolate curls, sensual mouth, and powerful aura, he sucked all the air from the room. No man should look that good dressed. It wasn't fair.
And he'd looked at her differently today. His gaze had stroked her bare legs and lasered under her lace T-shirt as if he was . . . hungry. The worst part? For one horrific moment, she'd yearned to be the one to strip for him, have him look at her with raw desire like he wanted to eat her alive.
A shiver bumped through her. Silly. Probably a combination of her broken relationship, quarter-life crisis, and a touch of horniness.
Had to be.
Her cell phone chirped. Gen glanced at the number but didn't recognize it. She clicked the button anyway. "Hello?"
"Genevieve! It's Sally. How are you?"
She smiled. She missed so many parts of the hospital, but no one had reached out to her after she left except Sally. Even though Gen hadn't given her too many details, she'd been pretty vocal about the crappy way Gen had been treated. It was kind of nice having someone in her corner. "Hey, Sally. I'm good. I didn't recognize this number."
"I'm on one of the volunteer's phones. Sorry I haven't called in a bit."
"Are you kidding? You'll be lucky if they allow you to breathe. Anything going on?"
"Wanted to see if we can schedule dinner sometime. I miss you around here."
"Thanks. That means a lot. How about you text me when you're free? We'll work around your shifts. Mine are more reasonable."
"Sounds good. Umm, there's one other thing, but it's a bit awkward."
Her skin prickled. "You okay?"
"Yeah, but it's David. I don't want to get in the middle of this, Gen, so I hope you're not mad. He asked me if I was in contact with you. I told him we'd spoken briefly, and he begged me to ask you to call him on his cell phone today. Something about your stuff?"
Gen frowned. "He asked you to contact me?"
Sally gave a strained laugh. "Yeah. But he's been working double shifts so he probably didn't get time to call you himself. I'm sorry, I didn't know what
to do."
Anger simmered. Poor Sally was getting dragged into the middle. Of course, she didn't want to make David mad when he was her boss. "No worries. I'll give him a ring. Don't forget to text me about dinner."
"Thanks for understanding. Promise, no more messages back and forth. Oops, gotta go, I'll text you!"
The phone clicked.
Gen tapped her finger against her lips, uneasy about the request. Should she call him? What if he wanted to give her stuff back and move on? If he was busy with work, she wasn't surprised he'd get someone to call her--David refused to let distractions get in the way of his patients. Such a good doctor. How could he be so cruel and manipulative?
Gen didn't want to think about it too long. Heart pounding, she dialed the familiar number and listened to it ring. Once. Twice.
"Hello."
His rich voice poured in her ear. She used to love listening to him, especially when he taught. Until such a beautiful voice began whispering subtle barbs in the dark, drawing blood and never understanding why she got upset. Gen fought a shudder. "It's me. Sally told me to call."
"Ah, yes. We're getting slammed here today with a bus accident. I haven't had a moment."
"What do you want?"
He paused. "I don't want to keep anything from you, Genevieve," he said. "If we've decided for a clean break, of course you can have your belongings. Let's be adult and not make things worse."
