Page 58 of Redeeming Rabbit

“I’d like you to meet my sister,” I blurted.

It was Sunday afternoon, and we’d just stepped back into her apartment after taking a yoga class at her gym. Yeah, I’d done yoga for the first time ever, and that shit was embarrassingly hard. But Elenore had been so pleased to have a partner she’d invited me back to her place, so I had no regrets. Besides, I was more limber than ever, which could come in handy the next time I got my lucky ass back into her bed.

She set her keys and Taser on the entryway table. When Tap had removed the surveillance equipment, he’d let her keep the weapon, which was good since she seemed to have developed a connection to it. The Taser would likely have to be pried from her cold, dead hands. But she looked hot as hell with it in her hand.

“I’d like to meet Rose.” She agreed.

“Good. I’ll set something up. How about… dinner Saturday evening?”

Sneaky and underhanded, yes, but my behavior was easy to justify. Especially since I really would like to introduce the two most important people in my life to each other. Eventually.

Her expression fell. “I can’t, Saturday. I have a work dinner.”

“Oh?” Feeling like the worst kind of manipulative asshole, I followed her into the living room, reminding myself this was for her protection. Elenore’s safety had to be the priority, which meant I needed to be at that fucking dinner, no matter what. “Is it just for employees?”

She perched on the sofa, her posture perfect. Did she ever get tired of sitting so goddamn straight? The only time she relaxed was when I convinced her to. Countless orgasms and persuasion to relax were two services I’d happily provide. Add personal chef and gym partner, and I might persuade her to keep me around. Granted, I wasn’t thrilled about becoming a gym rat, but it was one more hour I could spend with her, so how could I resist? Besides, the way she basically eye-fucked my forearms whenever they caught her eye was all the motivation I needed to stay in shape.

She watched me out of her periphery, her expression pensive. “No. In fact, I’ve been considering asking you to be my date, but I have some concerns.”

She’d been thinking about asking me? It took a moment for that tidbit to sink in before what she’d said next became a boulder in my stomach. “Concerns?”

She gestured for me to sit beside her, and though I wanted to stay standing so I could pace, I couldn’t resist the invitation. I sat, and she took my hand in hers. Thin, soft fingers interlaced with mine, my shoulders relaxed.

“I know about your arrest.”

And just like that, I was as tight as a bowstring. Shit, was that what she’d wanted to talk about Friday night before I’d distracted her? Who the fuck had blabbed? Had they told her about my episode, too? If she knew, why hadn’t she bailed on me? Questions pooled on my tongue like a foul taste, but I swallowed them. Questioning the scientist was a door that swung both ways, but if I didn’t approach it, it wouldn’t smack me in the face. I hoped. “Oh-kay.”

She gave me a moment but plowed ahead when I didn’t continue. “I need to know if attending this dinner is within your physical and mental capabilities.”

To anyone else, the question probably would have sounded cold, but I’d been getting to know Elenore. Whenever she was uncomfortable, her speech grew technical. I was so busy wondering if she realized she had that tell that her words took a moment to sink in. As soon as they did, I got defensive.

“It’s a dinner, Poe. I can handle it.”

“Are you certain? About fifty people will be in attendance, and—”

“I can handle it.” Iwouldhandle it.

She nodded, though she didn’t look convinced. “Okay. Do you need a suit?”

I did, which was how we spent our Sunday afternoon shopping for something acceptable for me to wear. Elenore didn’t seem to care about price tags. Nor did she seem particularly interested in what I had to say about the matter. Dragging me along like a goddamn kite, she marched right up to the woman at the counter and asked for professional help. A stylist then led us around the store, collecting suits for me to try on. We passed a man who looked me over and scoffed, shaking his head, but Elenore stepped up beside me and took my hand, glaring at him.

The situation probably should have emasculated me, but nobody had ever stood up for me before. She was basically a nerdy warrior princess, and that shit was hot. So hot, in fact, that I was too turned-on to be anxious about anything. Just being in her aura made everything better. She kept brushing my hand and promising me erotic rewards with her eyes. Her attention made me forget I was broken. With her by my side, I could accomplish anything. Hell, I wasn’t even worried about the dinner anymore.

An evening with rich assholes who will see me comin’ and wanna put me in my place…?I scoffed.Piece of fuckin’ cake.

Elenore followed me into the dressing room. She didn’t come into my stall but had me model the suits for her. I probably should have strummed up some indignation at how she asked me to turn in a circle so she could check out my ass, but her lust-darkened eyes only made me put on a show. I swung my hips and smacked my own ass, making her laugh. Fucking music to my ears. I tried on every monkey suit she passed to me, even though I suspected she’d already selected the one she wanted but was getting her rocks off by making me model. If suits turned her on, hell, I could be a little uncomfortable. Then later, I’d make demands of my own.

“I don’t even know your real name,” she said, startling me. I was heading back into the stall to try on identical suit number five.

“It’s not important. I never use it.”

“It is important. I’ll need to add it to the guest list for the dinner, and they usually check IDs at the door. What’s the name on your license?”

“Thaddeus James,” I admitted as I slipped into the stall.

“Thaddeus James.” She sounded like she was rolling it over her tongue. “That’s an interesting name.”

I removed the suit jacket.

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