AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I don’t know what to say to that, becauseshe’sright.
“That’s terrible.”
He grins. “It’s okay. I knew what I was getting into when I accepted a full-time assignment. It’s fine, Layla. I’m exactly where I want to be.”
He gives me a smile that seems utterly genuine. The thought pops into my head that if we weretogether, then he wouldn’t have to choose between his work and his private life.
That’s stupid. You idiot.
We arrive at Jason’s apartment building—an impressive structure made of glass and steel, located on Lake Shore Drive and overlooking Lake Michigan. He pulls into an underground garage and parks in a numbered slot.
“Is this a reserved parking spot?” I ask.
He nods. “It’s one of the perks of working for McIntyre Security. My boss owns the building.”
We take an elevator up to the forty-sixth floor, then I follow Jason out of the car. We turn left and walk down the hallway to the last unit on the right. He unlocks the door and pushes it open, motioning for me to enter. “Home sweet home,” he says.
I step into the living room and kitchen combo. It’s sparsely furnished in masculine colors, but neat and tidy. “It’s nice.”
He laughs. “Compared to where you live, this is a shoebox.”
He’s laughing at you.
He is not.
He is. Idiot. You’re so stupid.
“Layla?”
As I turn to face him, I realize he’s been talking to me. “I’m sorry, what?”
He smiles. “I asked if you wanted something to drink.”
“Oh, no, I’m fine. Thanks. Can I have a tour?”
“Sure, but there’s not much to see.” Grinning, he points down the hallway. “There’s just two bedrooms and a bathroom. You can pretty much see everything from here.”
“Well, it’s nice.” I turn to look at the brown corduroy sofa and matching recliner. The furniture is obviously old and well lived in. The coffee table is a bit scuffed. “It looks very comfortable.”
“You’re being nice, but thanks.” He heads for the kitchen, motioning for me to follow him. It’s a small galley kitchen with just enough room for a table and two chairs. He opens the refrigerator and pulls out a chilled bottle of water. “You sure you don’t want anything to drink?” He screws off the cap and takes a long swig.
“Well, since you mentioned it, I am kind of thirsty.”
He pulls a second bottle of water from the fridge and hands it to me. “Come on. I’ll give you the nickel tour.”
It takes two minutes for him to show me his bedroom, which is also tidy, and the small bathroom right across the hall. The second bedroom is cluttered with everything from workout equipment to cardboard boxes.
He shrugs. “I told you, there’s not much to see.” He points down the hallway. “I’m just going to grab a few things from my bedroom and the kitchen, and then we can go.”
I nod and follow him to his bedroom. I try not to stare at the huge king-size bed with its dark blue comforter and matching sheets and pillows. This is where he sleeps. A thought occurs to me. I wonder if he sleeps naked when he’s here in his apartment. Then I wonder if he sleeps naked back at my house.Good grief. I saw quite a bit of his bare torso the day he answered his bedroom door without a shirt on, and it only makes me wonder what the rest of him looks like.
He grabs some things from his dresser and closet and drops them into a tote bag. Then he heads for the kitchen and opens the pantry door. After dropping a few more items into the bag, he says, “That’s it. You ready?”
I nod.
“Do you mind if we make a stop on our way back to the house? I really need to get some new clothes.” He glances down at the distressed jeans he’s wearing and his faded T-shirt. “I feel a bit underdressed. I was thinking about stopping at Water Tower Place.”
My eyes light up. I love that place, and I hardly ever go. But then I realize I’m wearing old jeans, a long-sleeve T-shirt, and no make-up. The bruises are visible. Water Tower Place is an upscale shopping mall. “I’m not really dressed for it.”
