Page 35 of Pretty Lies

Cory needed coffee.

Seeing Della walk down the steps in a gray wool dress that hugged her curves with a trench coat tossed over her shoulders, and black, knee-high boots that matched the purse in her grip definitely had his day looking up, though. With her hair curled and loose, that pretty face of hers painted like perfect porcelain, he thought she didn’t look at all like a woman about to go and collect a debt for her loan shark father.

Then again, maybe that was the point.

She looked good.

He had to admit it.

Della’s gaze landed on him as she stepped through the gate that led to the sidewalk where he had remained parked for the duration of the morning. He was positive she’d seen him out there waiting. It wasn’t like he tried to hide it.

Again, not what he was supposed to do.

Her smile faltered slightly at the sight of him. Cory, on the other hand, grinned and reached for the coffee he had waiting for her.

“I hope your preference in coffee is something sweet and creamy,” he said, dangling it in front of himself like a treat she could take if she wanted.

Della didn’t.

Not right away.

Cory knew the only way this was going to work with him and her was if she trusted him. No exceptions, she had to know he would have her back first—always. It would be made a lot easier, though, if she liked him. That would give her a reason to trust him.

He didn’t want to make her life miserable.

Not that it wouldn’t be fun.

He had a feeling a lot about this woman was fun.

“Well?” he asked.

Della sighed and took the coffee. “It’ll do—chai latte next time?”

Cory nodded. “Absolutely.”

This close, he could appreciate the maroon shades she’d used to smoke out her eye, the sharp, black-winged liner and the lashes that fanned across her lid and made her features look all the more sinful. Even that dark wine shade on her lips had him watching the way her heart-shaped lips pursed when she brought the cup up for a drink.

Head where it needs to be, Cory.

Was it so bad that he was attracted to her? Was it also bad that it was obvious she couldn’t stop looking at him as though she liked what she saw? He couldn’t find a reason to say it was.

So …

Nope.

“I know you don’t like this whole situation,” he said, “but what if I could make it better? At least, for your first day with me watching your back while you work?”

Della quirked up a brow. “How so?”

He tipped his chin down to the car. More than once, she’d look the vehicle’s way, too. He understood why, no question. It was a hell of a car.

“You can drive,” he said.

She smiled.

And wasn’t that a beautiful fucking sight?

Cory thought so.

“Where are the keys?” she asked.