Page 32 of Crimson Love

“No—”

I don’t give her another opportunity to put me off or tell me to go away. I open the door but halt at the threshold.

She looks nothing like she did earlier in the parking lot when I was accused of grand theft auto. Her usually sleek dark hair is piled high on top of her head, her eyes are bloodshot, and any makeup she was wearing earlier is gone. I haven’t been close to a woman in years, but my guess is she hasn’t been in here doing a complicated fifty-step skincare regimen. I’d bet my new trust fund she cried off her makeup, and I’m the reason behind her stress.

Those swollen dark eyes widen in panic. “I told you I was busy. You can’t just barge into my office.”

My brows pinch. “What the hell happened to you?”

“You have the nerve to ask what happened to me when you took my only source of transportation. It’s not just a car, Jett—it’s my freedom. Now it’s in a million pieces, and I can’t get where I need to go. There are no Ubers in this place. Not even a taxi. Devon had to create his own limo service to get guests to and from the closest airport.”

I cut through the space until I get to her desk. Her agitated expression is carved into her beautiful features as she angles her face to me. What I don’t see is anger. I see anxiety in her dark eyes. “I told you I’d take you where you need to go for however long it takes.”

“That’s not the point.” Her tone is shaky as she pulls in a deep breath and closes her eyes. It looks like she’s doing everything she can to keep from crying or murdering me. “Just go. I’ve decided I’m going to stay here tonight until I can figure out a rental tomorrow.”

I look around her small office. Devon might not have skimped on anything when it comes to this place, but it’s not like there’s a cot in the corner. “You’re going to sleep here?”

She sits up straight and schools every ounce of angst in her body. “I am. I can work and piece myself together in the women’s locker room by the pool. Not a big deal. I’ve managed harder. You can go.”

“Interesting,” I mutter and decide this is too fascinating not to dissect. I do not go. I sit my ass in an office chair across from her desk. “You do not look like the type of woman who regularly gets ready in a locker room, let alone has managed harder than that. No offense, of course.”

A wrinkle appears between her thick, dark brows. “Offense taken. You know nothing about me. You really have no clue what I can and cannot handle. Whatever you think of me, I’m not high maintenance.”

I give her a slow nod. “My apologies. I’ll never make another assumption about you.”

“Add to that I don’t like surprises in the form of my car being stolen, no matter what the purpose is.”

My lips pull at the corners. “Noted.”

“It’s not funny.” Her elbows fall to the desk and her face lands in her hands. “Today started out so well. My job went from trial to permanent with full benefits and even vacation. Then...”

“Then,” I echo. “I came in and fucked it all up for you?”

She leans back in her office chair and folds her arms across her chest. “No. But you definitely complicated it.”

I nod slowly. “So instead of accepting a ride from me, you’re going to sleep in that non-ergonomic office chair.”

“That’s exactly what I’m going to do. You can’t change my mind, so don’t try.”

I shrug. “I promise to stop trying to change your mind. But tell me one thing. Have you eaten anything since your car was stolen?”

She says nothing, but she does roll her lips in to wet them.

“I’ll take that as a no. And since I complicated your life, the least I can do is feed you.”

She waves me off. “I’m not hungry.”

I stand. “I doubt that. I’ve been waiting on you for hours. I’m starving. Harlow insists on family dinners every night no matter how much I tell her I’m used to eating alone. I’m sick of being the third wheel with her and Devon. You’ll be doing me a favor.”

“You stole my car. I hardly owe you any favors.”

I don’t bite back my smile. “You did try to kill me. That’s a far worse transgression than me spending more money than your car is worth rebuilding it from the inside out.”

“But I made up for trying to kill you. You said so yourself. I’m completely off the hook for that.”

I close the distance between us and lean forward to put my hands on the desk. I lower my voice and gaze into her dark eyes. “You made sure I ate after I got here. You’ve had a shit day, and I added to it. Let me feed you. You can come back to work all night and sleep in that chair that looks about as comfortable as a two-by-four.”

As if on cue, her stomach grumbles. She bites her lip.