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The door swings shut behind him and I sink down onto one of the dining chairs surrounding a small glass-and-chrome table. This is the Owen I know—the one who walks away when things get real. The one who dodges tough questions and close connections.
This is your own fault. You pushed for more when he was very clear about what this meant to him.
I bring the coffee to my lips and tip my head back. Yep, it’s stone cold. Ugh.
I look around the fancy hotel room, remembering how last night made me feel. How this morning made me feel. The power that surged through my veins. And the pleasure...oh, the pleasure.
That kind of connection only comes when there’s more than sexual attraction between two people, but I have to accept that Owen has made his stance clear. He’s not looking for anything real.
And for the sake of this job, I have to be okay with that.
* * *
Later that afternoon things are a little tense with Owen and me. We’ve been circling around one another all day. But the barbeque is a great way to meet some more of the residents and perhaps find out more about our prime suspect: Matt. So we have to suck it up.
The weather is chilly—but the sky is clear and bright. Lights have been strung up and outdoor heaters emanate a warm glow. The covered area has great views of the lush green garden and vegetable patch. For a moment, I forget I’m in the middle of the city and I imagine that’sexactlywhat the property developers were going for. It’s a slice of outdoor heaven in the middle of the big smoke.
A group of men cluster around one of the barbeques, and I immediately spot Rowan, who seems to have everyone enraptured with one of his stories. Three women sit at one of the tables, chatting and drinking wine. Several more people mill about, shaking hands and smiling.
“It’s Hannah, right?” A woman with huge brown eyes and a kind smile stands and motions for me to take a seat.
I recognise Ava right away. She’s the schoolteacher from level five, and she lives next to Rowan and Dom. I liked her instantly the first time we met—she’s warm and welcoming. A little shy, but I imagine if she wrangles four-and five-year-old kids all day then she can probably dole out the whoop-ass when it’s required.
“Good memory.” I pull out a seat and get settled. Owen waves before heading toward the group of guys.
“I’m so glad you came,” Ava says and I get the impression she means it. “It’s a really social building to live in. Let me introduce you around. I think you met Emery already?”
I turn to the woman next to me—she’s got a slight build and sharp eyes. Both times I’ve seen her now she’s been wearing aGame of ThronesT-shirt. This one says You Know Nothing.“Nice to see you again.”
“Likewise.” Emery nods. “Always good to get some fresh blood into the building.”
“And this,” says Ava, “is Drew.”
Drew is stunning. Long blond hair in a perfect Gwen Stefani platinum, smudgy dark eye makeup and a sleek all-black outfit. She’s got the sexy goth thing down pat. “Hannah, was it? Nice to meet you. Don’t get attached—I won’t be around long.”
“Yeah, yeah.” Emery rolls her eyes and reaches for an empty wineglass. She pours me some white wine and hands it over. “Little Miss Jetset can’t stay in one place.”
“You travel a lot?” I ask.
Drew nods. “I’m a flight attendant and usually I’m based in London. I was in Dubai before that.”
“Such a glamorous life,” Ava says with a sigh.
I sip my wine. “What brought you home?”
“Wedding.” She says the word like it makes her physically ill. “Hate the damn things. But my sister is signing her life away, so I gotta be there.”
I blink. “Oh, that’s...lovely.”
Emery laughs and slaps her hand down on Drew’s back. “I knew I was gonna like you.”
“An old friend lives in this building,” Drew says. “But she travels a lot, too, so that worked out perfectly. Staying with my parents on top of the wedding would have been too much to handle.” Drew’s gaze sweeps over me, taking in details. Her eyes are a pale silvery blue, almost ethereally lacking in colour. With the dark eye makeup, it’s a striking combination. “That’s a big hunk of stone there. You’re married?”
“Yeah.” I nod and give her the practised smile that should accompany my answer—serene, happy. Not showing an ounce of the confusion and frustration that’s been swirling in my head ever since this morning. I point over to where Owen stands, chatting with Matt. “That’s my husband.”
“Cute.” Drew winks. “How did you two meet?”
“University. We had some of the same classes.” We’re keeping our stories close to the truth, thereby reducing the chance we might slip up given it was my first time undercover. Swap police academy for university and we could use pretty much any of our old stories and make them feel authentic. “We were friends for a long time first. He didn’t want to date me, actually. But I won him over.”
