Page 40 of Burn With Me

“It’s a two bed, two bath. Floors are heated. You get views of Bryant Park and the Empire State Building. Lots of storage and natural light.”

Setting the key on the Calacatta marble countertop, I stick my hands in my pockets and follow her through the apartment, watching her face light up as she checks out every room.

“Jackson, this is too much. I can’t afford to live here,” she says eventually, wrapping her arms around her middle as she ends her viewing at one of the windows that overlooks the park.

“No one’s asking you to pay, Ginny. You need a place. They have one. My uncle loves you. He said yes quicker than I could blink.” My eyes look out at the skyline as the sun begins to set.

“You know, I used to live here. Back when I first moved to the city and started working with him. This place has killer views. I used to love watching the sunset. My aunt and I would sit on the balcony and discuss life and the future. Though it turned out vastly different than what either of us imagined back then.”

Ginny leans against the terrazzo wall and looks up at me. “What happened between them? Your aunt and uncle? He seems to still love her a lot. Why couldn’t they make it work?”

“Honestly? Because Scott is stupid. Theywerehappy. He worshipped her, and she adored him. But it wasn’t enough. He went and fucked it all up because men like us are nevertrulyhappy. Always thinking we needmore.” I don’t look at her as I say it, afraid of what I’ll see in her eyes if I do.

“As much as I hate to ruin what I’m sure is supposed to be adeepmoment, you’re not exactly making me want to go on that date with you when you say things likethat,” she deadpans.

Grinning, I remind her, “Dates. Plural.”

“That is still a hard no for me.” She pushes off the wall, swiping the key from the counter as she heads toward the door.

“Is it, though, Red?” I call after her.

After all, if today is anything to consider, we’ve already gone on one.

Ginny

The unmistakable sound of furniture being pushed across a hard floor fills the hall as I make my way to my new room in the Dreamers wing. Either someone is moving something, or the people occupying the room are getting very,veryrough with each other.

My guard lets out a small laugh as we approach the door, the noise growing with each step, and I realize the sound is coming from withinmyroom. “Should we tell him that he can ask to have the room rearranged?” he asks.

Opening the door, he turns his back so I can disrobe, the squeaking stopping the moment my eyes meet my stranger from across the room. We watch each other silently as I peel my robe off, placing it in my guard’s waiting hand before stepping into the room while he shuts the door behind me.

“You look breathtaking,” my stranger says, eyeing tonight's outfit with approval.

“You look like you’ve been busy,” I remark.

The bed that once sat in the middle of the room has been pushed to one side, and a small loveseat I didn’t notice last time is now at the head of it.

“I wanted us to enjoy a more comfortable position tonight.” His words send heat blazing south as my bottom lipdisappears behind my teeth. He’s wearing his usual white button-up tucked into dark dress pants tonight.

He sure seems to like staying fully clothed for as many clothes as I trynotto wear.

“Come here,” he commands.

His order sends a sensual chill through me and makes my nipples harden beneath the see-through material of my gown. It’s all I’m wearing tonight. Floor-length, navy mesh with slits on both sides and simple straps to hold it up. I left the hair extensions in my area in the changing room, not wanting to deal with the extra heat they cause.

Tonight, I plan on getting hot enough.

His eyes are trained on me as I slowly walk through the room, my heels echoing loudly against the floor. When I reach him, I fist my hands in his shirt, glaring at it as though it offends me.

“Why do you always wear so much clothing?” My fingers slowly reach up to undo the top button, but his hands catch mine before I can finish the task.

“You’re awfully bold tonight.” His full-face mask skims my hair affectionately as he lowers his head. Stepping into me, his hands cradle mine between us as he walks me backward to the bed.

“I’ve had a good week.”

It’s true. My afternoon with Jackson on Tuesday left me feeling lighter than I’ve felt in years, and I’ve seen him twice more this week. Once, on Wednesday, when he attended a meeting at Decadence with Scott and Carmela before insisting he drive me to Lenni’s after my shift. And again earlier today, when we went back to The Bryant to give the building my information—he’d even bought me another waffle at the park afterward.

Not to mention that when I had his phone on Tuesday, I added my number to it—which he uses often now—even before I saw Stacey's message.

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