Page 275 of Sins & Secrets

“Mr. Bradford,” Noah says behind me, clearing his throat.

If I could experience shame, I’m certain I’d feel it at this moment. “Noah,” I say and turn to face him, not missing the glee that shines in her devilish eyes. “I was just about to message you.

“If you could see to it, Ms. Parks doesn’t have a jacket this evening. Very much my fault.”

“Say no more, sir.”

“Thank you.”

“Thank you so much,” Suzette speaks up, “but truly?—”

“Truly you will be cold once we set off, and as much as I adore you in my jacket, I’m not sure it’s the look you’ll be going for.”

There’s a pause where Suzette stares back at me, and I wonder if my little vixen is going to fight me on something so simple.

“Mr. Weston is near the northern end, I believe,” Noah speaks before she can object. “His wife Laura is hard to miss tonight. And I’ll see to it that there’s a jacket on your shoulders that’s more suitable, Ms. Parks.” With a nod, he’s off before Suzette can object. I make a mental note to give Noah a bonus for his discretion.

“You don’t have to buy me things.”

“It’s a jacket,” I state as if it’s nothing.

“Come, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline are waiting for us.”

“It’s why I love the city,” she says and there’s an awe in her tone that draws me closer. With my hand on the small of her back, she leans in closer. I fucking love it. Those walls of hers are crumbling down.

“The skyline?”

“How bright it is at night. How beautiful and lively.”

“It is the city that never sleeps.” Walking toward the railing, we take a moment to appreciate the towering steel lit with shades of blue and yellow lights. “It’s gorgeous, isn’t it?”

“Mm-hmm,” I hum in agreement, watching her take in the view as the water crashes beneath us.

“I’ve never taken a tour of the city via cruise either. If you weren’t here, I wouldn’t.”

Peeking up at me, Suzette questions, “You wouldn’t have come?”

“I would have, and I would have made the deal before the ship left. It’s the same with the galas and charity balls and all of these … social gatherings. I stay at the bar, I meet and greet who I must and then I leave.”

“All work and no play,” she comments, her eyes locked on mine. There’s a softness tonight I only got glimpses of before.

“Would you like to wait here for your jacket, or meet the hosts for the evening?”

“I think we should get on with it,” she answers, shedding my jacket from her shoulders.

“That’s not going to happen.” I scold her lightly, slipping the jacket into place. “I wouldn’t be caught dead wearing a jacket while you shiver.”

“I won’t shiver.” The wind rushes by in that moment, as if to prove she’s a liar.

A rough chuckle leaves me and I give her the option again. “We can wait here if you’d like or if you don’t mind wearing my jacket for a moment, we can start the night.”

“I think I don’t mind either way,” she says softly, staring up at me like she was before, although her gaze is ripped away the moment I hear my name in the distance.

“There you are!” Trent calls out.

“Well,” Suzette whispers, “I suppose your jacket will do for now.”

SUZETTE

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