Page 64 of Synced to Us

By the time we reach Grand Central Station, I’ve had it with the bullshit.

“I’ll call a car,” I say to Wyn on the concourse. We come to a stop by the famous information booth with the four-faced opal clock set on top. Tourists pose in front of it and snap pictures, and I have the sudden image of Wyn and I popping up in the background of some poor family photo where I’m scowling at him. Frozen in time. Proof in a picture.

Is that how he sees me?

“Good idea,” he says.

My back goes up at his instant agreement, but what else should I be expecting? For him to sputter and say, “No, no, Dee, we fucked last night. Let me at least see you home.” He doesn’t owe me anything.

To cover up my disappointment, I say blandly, “I trust you’re satisfied with my end of the bargain?”

The line of Wyn’s jaw juts out. He stares off into the distance before coming back to me. “You did great.”

But the sex, I want to add. Shouldn’t we talk about it?

His cold expression says no.

A swirl of hurt spreads into my chest regardless. When I fell on top of him in the truck, I wasn’t thinking about consequences, or even what he was thinking. All I wanted was Wyn. Wet, angry, and fueled with a fire I wanted to use to ignite my bones. After, it was so tender. His music, the softness of twilight. I couldn’t resist coming to him a second time, becoming a part of his song and making love to him while he played his beauty across my naked body.

But look at what I am. What I’ve done. A former call girl. Skilled at emotionless sex. That could be all I am to him now, with great sex merely a bonus to our agreement. He probably thought I could handle it.

Of course he did.

Why should he think he’s hurt my feelings when my past says sex is nothing but a transaction?

Sex with him isn’t nothing.

I want him to read it on my face, but all he says next is, “You okay with your bags?”

Nodding, I bite my tongue. Remember who I am. “The gala starts at eight on Thursday. I’ll arrive at McKenna and Mason’s in a town car around seven fifteen that evening.”

“I’ll hold up my end of the deal.” The tension in his voice is obvious. It’s becoming harder for him to hold my stare.

After a few minutes of an awkward back-and-forth with our eyes, Wyn curses under his breath. “I can’t leave you here. Let me help you with your bags to the curb. Make sure you get into the car okay.”

My mouth twitches. “I’m not a damsel.” Then I remember our trip on the subway. “Above-ground, at least. I’ve been living in this city for years.”

“Too bad. I’m a gentleman. Let’s go.”

He grabs both my roller bags and storms to one of the many exits. I stroll behind him, pretending to be immersed with what’s on my phone, but really…

I’m immersed by him.

24

Dee

McKenna texts me on Tuesday evening. I push back from my computer, rubbing my eyes and cracking my back. How long have I been slouched in my office talking to no one and playing catch-up?

Practically these entire two days.

McKenna: WHERE ARE YOU? You’re scarily silent. Like, I’m about to have this baby while I’m thinking you’re in a dumpster somewhere.

I rub my finger across my lower lip as I read, a zing of guilt creeping across my shoulders. McKenna has no idea about my agreement with Wyn, or that I went to his family home last weekend. She and I always had a code, especially when we were working girls. When one of us went out of town or saw a new client for the first time the other would have the details. If we didn’t call when we were supposed to, we were to raise the alarm and alert the police. As independent contractors, we were responsible for our own safety, but our mutual trust was so all-encompassing, we often put it in each other’s hands.

That rule stayed in place despite both of us phasing out our high-risk careers. And I just broke it.

For good reason, though. Thicketville was also McKenna’s hometown. If I’d mentioned to her where I was going, or what I was doing, I could easily predict a very pregnant McKenna accompanying us on the train and never leaving my side. She would be both suspicious and intrigued such a deal had evolved between me and the guy I supposedly couldn’t stand.

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