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Faith pointed at her chest. “You need my help to seal a business deal?”
I ground my teeth, not loving the implication that I couldn’t do it myself. Still, I managed my reaction. “He goes way back with your family. I think you being there could help me. Harrison is… quirky.”
Faith sank into her hip. “Harrison Barnes?”
I nodded. “The very one.”
“He is quirky. But kind, which is honestly a rarity in these circles.”
I nudged her. The innocent gesture didn’t feel so innocent. It felt like an electrocution.
“Just say yes, Faith. Stay as long as you need. And then dust off your passport because you’ll be traveling with me to meet Harrison.”
Faith shook her head and a stray strand of hair fell across her face. Without realizing what I was doing, I lifted my hand to brush it away.
She inhaled sharply, her eyes darting to my lips before she caught herself and took a step away with her shoulders squared.
I wanted to record the sound of her inhale. To dissect what it meant.
I should get the hell out of here before I do something stupid.
Faith’s signature smirk returned. “You don’t know what you’re getting yourself into.”
Didn’t I know it?
“I’ll be here at ten tomorrow. I suggest you stay put until then.”
Without wasting more time, I headed to the door. “Lock the door behind me.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, tapping a painted red nail to her tempting lips. I shouldn’t have caught a final look at her before I left because now it’s all I could fucking think about.
I adjusted my jacket sleeves as I waited for the elevator to arrive. Needing air, I undid the top few buttons of my shirt.
That woman…being in her presence unwound me.
What would it be like to have her in my home? In my space? My sanctuary?
I was almost afraid to find out.
SIX
FAITH
What the hell did I just agree to?
I asked myself that question on repeat. All night long.
Even now I wondered, as I threw clothes haphazardly into my suitcase.
I didn’t want to be anyone’s burden, but especially Sebastian’s. The man made me gooier than a pizookie.
But I couldn’t deny that his proposition to have me stay at his house got my heart racing like a teenager meeting a member of her favorite boy band.
Just the thought of exploring his space sent a little thrill through me. The man was so damn elusive, it felt like I was getting a peek behind the curtain. Shelving my initial reservations, I decided to just go with the flow. Hopefully this experience would help me unwind enough to get back to my painting.
Speaking of painting, Delilah had left another voicemail this morning. I couldn’t hold her off much longer. She deserved better than taking a chance on a flakey new artist who was just trying to get their footing in the world.
My fingers hovered over the call back button for just a second. I pinched my eyes closed and stabbed the phone.
