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Shame filled me. Dammit. I had been a self-righteous prick. “Yes. To both. Look, Evan’s death has thrown me for a loop. I didn’t mean to take it out on you. But your history with Evan made you a convenient target.”
Moira studied me for a minute. “Fine. Apology accepted. Now if you don’t mind, I’ve got to—”
“You feed your employees?” I didn’t mean to ask the question. I just blurted it out, which wasn’t like me. I was usually much smoother. But desire scrambled my brain.
“Yep. Every night they work, I host a family-style dinner for them. And I send those who work until two in the morning home with a small protein box with a hard-boiled egg, fruit, cheese, and a pastry. Why do you care?”
“I— It’s just I’ve never known an employer to do something like it.”
“Did you know that food poverty is more prevalent among women than men? Women are 35 percent more likely to experience poverty than men. Because women usually have other mouths to feed and will go without to ensure their children can eat. They’re trying to support others and not just themselves.”
“I didn’t. It sounds like you know a lot about the subject.” And it made me curious about her background. I wanted to dig deep and uncover why she turned down Evan’s proposal. But I doubted she would tell me outright. It wasn’t like we were besties who braided each other’s hair every night.
Moira didn’t back down or shy away. “I do. I know what it’s like to go without. I decided when I bought this place and took over that none of my girls would go hungry.”
When had she gone hungry?
God, there was so much I didn’t know about Moira. But against my better judgment, I wanted to know more. I stepped closer, needing to test the waters a bit more. Ignoring the guilt trying to wriggle its way in and put me in a chokehold. I’d deal with the fallout of my decisions later.
I moved until there was an inch at most separating our bodies. She had to tilt her head back to stare me down. A perverse part of me loved the challenge she presented. I wasn’t supposed to want her, but what I wasn’t supposed to do left the building the moment I met her.
The chemistry between us was off the goddamn charts. The air grew thick with it. We’re talking pea soup had nothing on us. All it would take was a single spark to ignite a maelstrom. The pulse in her neck fluttered wildly at my proximity.
A sadistic part of me was fucking thrilled. Because it meant I wasn’t alone in my desire. It was evidence that she felt this inconvenient attraction too. “That’s unexpected. I’ve never known a strip club owner to do something like that.”
“I’m not like other strip club owners.”
“Apparently.”
“You know, you don’t have to look down your nose at this place and the people who work here. The human body is nothing to be ashamed of, for one. And for most women, they don’t strip because they want to. It’s not something girls grow up dreaming about becoming. Most women, not all, but most do it because they have no other options and need the income. Most of the girls here have been with me since I bought the place. And every night, I have the cook prepare a family-style meal, heavy on protein and vegetables, so they have a decent meal. Everyone gets leftovers divvied up to take home at the end of their shift.”
It twisted my gut and left me aching that she had known such poverty.
“I see.” It was the best response I could come up with at the moment. Which proved how much this woman affected me. I was the guy that was cooler than a cucumber in high-stress combat engagements. And yet, less than ten minutes in a strip club, having her close enough to touch, close enough to catch a whiff of her exotic perfume, left me aching to close the distance.
“What do you want, Ben? Why are you here?” Her sigh was weary.
“I want you to read the letter.” It was the only explanation I was willing to provide at this juncture.
“Why is it so important that I read it? You delivered it. That should be enough,” she stated mulishly.
“It’s not. I need you to read it.” Because, at the very least, I needed to fulfill my oath. Then it might assuage the raging grief and guilt.
“Do you know what it says?”
“No.” That wasn’t the point of the mission. Sure, I was curious. I had even thought about opening it and reading it myself to gain some clarity. But I respected my best friend’s wishes.
“Then why is it so important?”
Damn stubborn woman. I snapped, “Because Evan asked that I see to it. That we see you read it. We can’t leave until you read the goddamn thing, all right?”
Her brows rose at my vehemence. “I’m not the only one who got a letter for you to deliver, am I?”
“No,” I admitted. We were upending her life, and she deserved an answer.
Moira shook her head. “That son of a bitch sure got around, didn’t he?”
“After you turned down his proposal, he did.” I couldn’t seem to help myself. It was like I had diarrhea of the mouth when she was near.
