Page 89 of Destined To Fall

“Jeremy, is it?”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

“I like you.”

“Ah, thanks.”

“So, how do you know our girl Vee here?”

“My father was a client.”

Was…shit. The elevator dings, and I shoot Marcus—his face a comical mix of shock and curiosity—a glare, hopefully ending his next line of questioning before I step out.

“Well, fuck me.” He chuckles.“I’m going to leave that one well alone.”

I sigh, thanking baby cheeses, and unlocking my door, waving the boys in ahead of me, but I don’t miss Jeremy’s eyes widening as he takes in my opulent entryway.

“So, yeah. This is me…um, make yourselves at home.”

I’m a little nervous. Jeremy knows what I do, obviously, but I don’t think he’s ever grasped how much I make doing it. If he thought I’d emasculated him previously, my lavish place is going to knock him for a loop. Let’s hope he takes it in stride,like everything else I throw at him. I don’t want to lose him just yet. I’m not ready to let go.

“Hey, Vivi. Can I use your loo? I’m busting for a slash.”

I laugh.“You know where it is.”

Marcus heads for my en suite instead of my main, and Jeremy’s forehead crinkles.

“He’s been here before?” Jeremy whispers, incredulous.

“Yes. I think only once after I moved in here.”

“I didn’t know you kept in touch.”

I shrug, noncommittal.“I didn’t think it was a big deal.” To me, anyway.

“No, right. It’s not a big deal you still see the guy who got you into this…lifestyle.”

“So, we hang out once in a blue moon.” I shrug again, desperately wanting out of this conversation.“And besides, it’s not Marcus’sfaultI do what I do.You and I don’t talk that much. I mean, it’s never really come up.”

“Yeah, sure, we don’t talk that much. Just daily,” he mutters the latter under his breath, and I knew I said the wrong thing as soon as the words left my mouth. Just peachy.

“Can we drop this, please?”Before I say anything else stupid.“I need to change.ButI’ll be back.” I walk off, ending the conversation.“Just…help yourself to anything.”

I enter my bedroom and try to catch my breath and my equilibrium. Somehow,this evening is going to complete shit, and it’s probably all my fault. My minute of respite is short-lived when I bump into Marcus coming out of my en suite. He steadies us, his hands going to my hips, his eyes scorching, and that sexy signature grin of his I’ve always loved replaces the surprise.Ah, crap.

“Well, hello, love. Fancy running into you here,” Marcus says, low and seductive.

“That should be my line. What are you doing here, Marcus? You never leave a tour. What’s going on?”

“Can’t I just come visit for no other reason than I missed you?”

I raise a brow in response.

“I did miss you, Vivi,” he says softly, his eyes and hands roaming.

Somehow my heart plummets and races at the same time, the erratic beat pulsing in my gut.

“Marcus…”

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