Page 4 of Hidden Heart

Jessica heard the woman say, “Yes, sir. Thank you,” before she sank into the cab. The man paid the driver and waved to her as the cab drove away.

“Jessica…Jessica…” Royce’s voice brought her attention to him.

“I’m…wow. I’m sorry. I was…” She watched the man jog up his steps and into his building. Was he whistling?

“You were eavesdropping on that couple.” Royce’s eyes glistened with amusement, his lips curving.

She paused, thinking of a good excuse, but came up with nothing.

She laughed. “I was. It’s just…they seemed so entwined with each other.”

“Some couples are actually happy together,” he pointed out.

“She didn’t call him by his name. She called him ‘sir.’ Isn’t that an odd thing to call your lover?” she asked, using her forefinger to push a lock of hair behind her ear.

Royce’s expression changed. Grew darker. The laughter died out of his eyes, leaving a shadow over his features, her words struck a nerve.

“No, it’s not odd at all. To some, it’s as endearing as calling him honey or sweetheart—perhaps more intimate than even those.” His voice was smooth, firm, and controlled. She swung her eyes to the door of the man’s apartment and then to Royce.

“I should probably get inside. I’m getting cold. Thanks for walking me home.” She nodded and started up the stairs.

“You aren’t one for hugs and such.”

She stopped mid-step. “That’s a weird thing to say.” Facing him, she slid her hands into her pockets. Just because he’d been on target didn’t mean she needed to give him credit for it.

“Not really. I noticed when we left the restaurant you didn’t hug anyone goodbye, and Alex’s kiss made you feel awkward.”

She didn’t know what to say to him. He was right. “Not every woman likes to be hugged and kissed all the time,” she shot back, and he smiled, though not with humor. It was a knowing smile, as if she’d answered a question he’d been contemplating.

“You’re right.” He pushed off the railing. “Do you think we could have dinner together? Tomorrow maybe?”

She narrowed her eyes at him. “I don’t know.”

“I’m not proposing marriage. I’m asking you to dinner.” He smirked, that damn dimple taunting her.

“Just dinner?” She shouldn’t even contemplate it. Dinner could turn into something more, something…complicated.

He chuckled. “Yes,just dinner. I won’t be proposing marriage then either,” he promised lightheartedly.

She hesitated. He worked with Alex. Nothing more than a casual friendship could ever develop between them, but turning him down would be rude. Royce was new to town and looking for some company. She’d be doing him a favor really.

“Sure. One less night of Ramen noodles is fine with me,” she answered, waving her hand in the air like it was no big deal. Because their evening together couldn’t be anything more than a shared meal.

“You know, you’re not as complicated as you would like everyone to believe, Jessica.” He paused. “I’ll pick you up at seven.”

Before she could respond, he turned and walked away. She watched him for a moment, then ran up the steps to the safety of her apartment. She needed distance, space—somewhere he couldn’t read her thoughts so damn easily.

* * *

Royce walkedinto his two-bedroom apartment, unsure of what he might find when he turned on the lights. The woman he’d spoken of at dinner had been a more serious breakup than he’d let on. She hadn’t taken the split well and was still trying to persuade him to take her back.

Melody hadn’t been a flimsy dalliance, but she was not what he wanted for the rest of his life either. The time had come when he’d had to break off their relationship because she needed more than he was able to give. The job offer in Chicago could not have come at a more convenient time. Unfortunately, Melody found out from a mutual friend where he had landed and began sending “housewarming” gifts once a week.

When he called to thank her for the first gift, a new set of wine glasses, he kept the conversation short. He deliberately called during her lunch break, knowing she’d have to run into a meeting shortly after the call began. He sent a thank you card after the second gift—a set of martini glasses—assuring her no more gifts were required. The third gift, a set of shot glasses, generated no reply from him at all.

He breathed a sigh of relief when he turned on the lights and didn’t see a missed delivery slip on the floor. He tossed his keys on the nearest table and went to the bedroom in search of something more comfortable to wear.

He didn’t know what to make of Jessica, other than he found himself drawn to her. Her attempt to remain aloof and offer him indifference had failed. He’d noticed the tapping of her fingers on the table. On several occasions, her gaze had drifted to him, but quickly shot away as though she’d wanted to survey him, wanting to see what he was up to, but forcing herself to keep her eyes anywhere else.

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