Page 100 of The Spy Ring

The conversation lulled and as much as I wanted my feelings to fade for Jagger, they stubbornly held on. I thought about him often and sometimes it involved my vibrator. For that brief period when we were friends, and more than friends, it was satisfying. It was nice to be loved in that way again.

“I never really did eavesdrop on anything when I put those listening devices in your apartment,” Jagger said as he rubbed the back of his neck.

“If that’s true, why did you even put them in there to begin with?” I folded my arms and turned to him.

He sighed. “There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t ask myself that. Right after that first ninja lesson with David and Diego, when you made that delicious pasta, I wondered what would happen if some criminal I was after found out about you and David. I worried they could get to you and I would never know. So, the next day I went out and bought some devices and came over with the excuse that I left my wallet behind and planted them.”

I could see why he did what he did, but that didn’t make it right. “If you were so worried, why didn’t you walk away?”

“I did. Each time I came to your place I wanted to end it but seeing David’s smile, and especially gazing at yours . . . it was too hard. That dinner made me realize you two were the family I always wanted but never had. Anyway, I felt guilty about planting the devices and decided three days later to take them down. And for the first time, I listened in to see if you were home. That’s when I heard you talk about the date you were about to go on.”

My eyes widened. “You knew I would be at that restaurant. You spied on my date.”

He held up his hand. “Guilty. I admit I did come to that restaurant with the intention of interrupting your date.”

I smacked him lightly on his upper arm. “You bastard.”

“But I didn’t have to do anything. He pulled a perfectly good Gregger, doing all the work for me.” He chuckled.

I folded my arms and huffed but eventually a giggle made its way to my lip.

“He was a dumbass,” I said and we both chuckled.

My heart felt a little empty since I said goodbye to him.

“I can show you the apartment if you want?” Jagger said.

Did I even want to? I was tired of looking at apartments for rent but there was a slight buzz in my chest—and definitely in between my legs—that wanted to be alone with him.

“Okay.” I blushed as I said it and wanted to hide my face. Why did I feel like a schoolgirl going to see a boy’s bedroom?

“David, Jagger’s showing me the apartment. Are you coming?” I said.

David stopped punching the bag and was breathing heavy. “No. I’m sure it’s cool. I’ll be down here practicing.”

I shook my head. “He was so picky with all the other places. Insisting he be there to look at the apartments and now he doesn’t care. Go figure.”

There was a door on the side of the wall that Jagger unlocked with a key. It led to a set of stairs. At the top, Jagger took another key to open the door to the apartment.

The inside was small. The living room had enough room for a tiny couch and coffee table, and that was it. Even the kitchen was back against the wall with only a refrigerator, oven, sink, and one small counter.

“This is a two bedroom?” I asked.

“Yes, but the rooms aren’t that big. There’s only one main bathroom and it’s shared.” He walked me back to the two tiny bedrooms, both had a view of the street below. And the bathroom had a stand-up shower that I wondered if anyone could actually fit inside.

“If David thought that last place was small, I’m sure he’ll hate this place. No offense.” I frowned.

“None taken. You can see why I want to rent it. Not only will it help with paying for the building, but even for me, it’s tiny. I think my old place by the train tracks was bigger and it was a one bedroom.”

“Can a person actually fit inside that?” I pointed to the shower.

“It’s legal but I hadn’t attempted it myself,” he said.

I walked over and had to back up to open the glass door to the shower. Stepping inside, I was surprised that I could fit, but when I turned to step out, my sweater got caught on the entry.

“Here, let me help you.” Jagger came over and tried to work the material out of the hinge.

It was awkward because of the tight space. He had to push his stomach to mine and lean over until his breath fell down my neck. I watched as the tiny wrinkles around his eyes deepened as he concentrated on the task.

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