Page 27 of Sins

“Desert Breeze it is.”

Good as Hellby Lizzopounded through my speakers as I sang at the top of my lungs. I checked myself in the mirror and added a little more lipstick. I’d chosen a tight white dress, as I knew he’d wear his classic black suit. I kind of liked that we played the heaven-and-hell look off each other. Though I was anything but heaven these days.

I kept my hair straight and loose. I decided on a sparkly gold bracelet on each wrist and matched it with one around my ankle, then added gold hoops earrings. Sometimes simple was more.

I spotted him at the bar as I arrived. He leaned an elbow against the counter as he nursed a glass of whiskey. As Ipredicted, he was in one of his wonderfully classic black suits. I loved that he and Elio had similar tastes when it came to clothing. They were both a perfect balance of raw and wild, yet refined and sophisticated at the same time. Trigger blended well with the two of them, perhaps never in a classic suit kind of way, but all three carried that wonderful dose of darkness I loved. It was something that pulled at every part of me, and I felt a surge of desire as I looked at Grim.

He must have felt me watching because he turned and looked directly right at me. His eyes went slowly down my front without an ounce of shame before he pushed off the counter and walked toward me. One hand was tucked in his pocket, and the other held his glass.

My skin heated as I held his gaze. I put my chin up and took a step toward him. His hand slipped from his pocket and slid around my waist as he leaned in for a kiss on my jaw.

“This dress,” his fingers flexed as he breathed me in, “is going to get you into a whole lot of trouble later.”

That’s the hope.

I played along. “And you look like trouble.” I loved Grim’s playful side. “This place looks amazing.” I looked around at his new bar. Lights twinkled in the distance and created a lovely atmosphere. Rooftop bars were always my favorite places, and I loved taking clients there. I knew this one would be a hit.

He turned and steered me to a table where we sat in a booth with a view of the desert. In fact, all the tables were half-moon shaped to provide privacy and a spectacular view. In the center was a dance floor, a pool, and a DJ who already played music.

Then I heardhervoice, and my mind went from turned on and relaxed to white hot anger.

“Did you know Jenelle was going to be here?” I leaned forward and slit my eyes as I spotted her with her father two tables down. She was like a damn cockroach.

“I did,” he sipped his drink like it was nothing, “but I don’t care. Do you?”

I thought for a moment, and the anger that had come so quickly fizzled out as I mulled over what he said. He knew she was here, yet he sat across from me and didn’t hide that he couldn’t wait to get me alone.

“I don’t care, not in the least. But they better not come over here.”

“Good.” He nodded. “You’re feisty tonight.” He seemed amused.

I pulled his glass from his hand and took a large sip. “You have no idea.”

“Does this have anything to do with Jayden? Dad told me.”

I cursed under my breath. “I see.”

“You know you could have come to me.”

I twisted the napkin on my lap. “Truth, I wasn’t sure how you’d react, and I didn’t want a scene.”

“You act like I have temper.” He chuckled at his own joke as though entertained. “I need to know these things.” He paused as the waiter set my favorite dirty martini down and took our orders. “They’re my staff, and if someone is touching something that’s not,” he paused, “theirs, I need to be aware.”

“All right, I suppose that’s fair.”

“Good.” He let it go. “Now, I have something for you.” He pointed to my phone. “Check your email.” I quickly opened my phone and saw an email had arrived from him just moments ago.

“What’s this?” I tapped on the attachment. “Blueprints?”

“Yes. You know my tastes, so I was thinking you could design my penthouse.”

My jaw dropped, but I caught myself. “This is unexpected.” I studied the layout.

“The second attachment is for the Silk and Lace Room. I’m not pleased with how it turned out, and I thought about that drawing you did on the last page in your notebook. It would be perfect, sexy.”

I lowered my phone. “You remember that?”

“I do.” He sipped his drink. “I bow to your skill as a hostess. You go the extra mile, but I’ve seen your drawings, and I like what I saw. I want to use you as a designer. You pick up on what I see in my head but find hard to get across.”

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