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Or a friend he’s showing sympathy to. It’s getting to me, and I’m not any closer to the door. “She’s a nice lady. I find her interesting.”
“And I thank you for that. Did you think I didn’t see you give her that new murder mystery she’s been wanting to read?” he asks.
“I found it for half price. When she’s done, I’ll read it, too.”
His eyes roll slightly, and he huffs. “Yes, you’re a monster. But you’re a monster I’m happy to be in business with. I need you to understand something. I don’t care what Harper thinks. I’m happy I met you, and I’m not willing to let you off my hook. Maybe I’m the bad guy here. Maybe I’m the one who’s using you. Have you thought about that?”
A little in the beginning, but it’s hard to think of Heath as a user. I should, though. “Maybe.”
I can see he doesn’t believe me, but he plows forward anyway. “Good. Then we’re both in the same boat, and we should carefully watch the other. I can think of no better way to ensure neither of us is hatching terrible plots than we spend more time together. So get in my shower and get warm. I’ll order us a pizza. You’re obviously hungry.”
How had we gotten here? I was seriously considering taking that shower because I was so cold, and it would feel good to be warm and comfortable. Still, I’m stubborn. “I’m not hungry.”
His eyes widen. “Then that is the problem. You’ve been body snatched.”
“Heath, I’m serious. I am leaving. I’m leaving the city and the freaking business.”
“I’m going to ask you not to go,” he says quietly, his voice a low rumble, and I hear the emotion in him. “Stay with me, Ivy. It’s barely been a week, and I don’t want to do this without you. The one thing Harper isn’t thinking about is the fact that I believe you have my best interest at heart, and if I tell you no, you’ll honor it.”
He was so confusing. “I can’t promise you that. There’s money on the line, money we’ll have to pay back if we can’t bring CeCe on.”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there. It’s way in the distance.”
“I won’t honor what you want,” I say stubbornly. “Not if I know I’m right.”
He shrugs. “Then we’ll do it your way, but we don’t know what you’ll do until you’re faced with the actual problem. The only thing I do know is I will be very bad at dealing with CeCe. I’m scared of her dog, much less the woman herself. You cannot be so cruel as to leave me alone with her. She doesn’t even know my name. She calls me Ivy’s Side Piece. I don’t think she understands what that means.”
CeCe often heard some phrase she thought was funny and used it in a totally bizarre way. What the hell was happening? “I’m not good for you.”
“And I’m not a side piece. I’m the whole piece,” he assures me. His hands come up, cupping my cheeks. “You had a shit night, and someone backed you up against the wall so you’re fighting. You feel alone, so you’re fighting. I suspect that person was Harper, so you feel like someone else you love is ready to abandon you so…”
“I’m fighting.” It’s what I do.
“You don’t need to fight me,” Heath says, and he’s so close to me now. So close I can see how warm his eyes are, how there’s gold in the deep brown of his irises. “And I’m getting really tired of fighting my every instinct.”
“Your instinct?” I feel rooted in place, still in the face of coming disaster because if he kisses me this time, it’s not to help me out. It’s because he wants to.
He nods. “This one.”
He leans in and his lips meet mine, and I’m suddenly not cold.
I’m suddenly not alone.
He’s right. I’m fighting and being dramatic and veering wildly when I should sit and think the problem through. Although I can’t think now. All I can do is feel the way his mouth moves over mine, how his hands find my waist and bring our bodies close. My arms go up to his shoulders, and that’s when I realize how wet I am and I’m going to make him cold and wet, too.
I step back. “I should…”
He looks disappointed. “Take a shower. I’ll grab some clothes that will be way too big for you and order a pizza, and when you’re done, we’ll do one of two things. We’ll talk this through or we’ll watch a bunch of crappy TikTok videos and make fun of people because you’ll realize you’re not going anywhere tonight.” His lips turn up in the most delicious smirk. “Or you can pick door number three.”
