“Not for now, no.”
The man in the suit and polished shoes stepped out as they approached. “Morning. Do you ladies need help?”
Cally gave him a smile. “Not anymore, thanks to you. We really appreciate the save.”
“Overbearing boyfriend.” Eve rolled her eyes. “He won’t let me leave him.”
The stranger nodded. “I figured it was something like that. Don’t let it get too bad before you go to the police.”
“She’s staying with me,” Cally said. “Thank you again for your help.”
“My pleasure.” The man gave them a last look, then headed back inside.
“Let’s get a coffee, give Darian time to leave the area, then get an Uber,” Cally suggested. “Dammit, I wish Antoine was here.”
“Not long now, babe. Then you’ll be able to see him, touch him”—Eve nudged her playfully with her shoulder—“curl up in bed with him, lick him, take his big—”
“Got it. Thanks.”
*
Cally let the Uber leave before pressing the gate buzzer.
I really should get a set of keys.
“Welcome back, madam.” Marcel’s voice came over the intercom and the gate clicked unlocked. Noah said something in the background, cut short as Marcel released the button. It had been enough to hear his tone, high with surprise and relief.
Noah waited for them in the entrance hall with his arms crossed, radiating hell hath no fury like a man given the slip. He didn’t say anything as Cally walked past, but his gaze ran swiftly over her, as if checking she was well, then he looked away.
The silence was worse than the recriminations she’d anticipated.
“Hi Noah,” Eve said. She’d wrapped the tome in her coat to disguise it; a conspicuous bulge.
Noah grunted in acknowledgment, and still said nothing.
“Going to unload upstairs. See you in the kitchen?”
“Sure,” Cally said, wondering if Noah would wait until they were alonebefore starting on her.
But he didn’t. He just watched her with eyes that showed less anger, more hurt. It served as a reminder that, thrall or not, he was still very muchhim, too.
“I’m sorry,” she offered. “I wouldn’t have gone if…” She trailed off, already regretting saying so much, and belatedly added, “…it hadn’t been necessary.”
“I would have come with you,” he said softly.
“I would’ve asked you to if I could.”
A muscle in his jaw twitched, disbelief flicking across his face, then he turned away and walked into the kitchen.
Shit.
Didn’t even ask where we’d been.
It still felt like she was lying to him.
Because I am.
Eve was back a moment later, arms divested of her load. She smiled reassuringly. “All right?”
