Page 26 of Whispered Sins

I let out a laugh. A genuine one that I hadn’t had because of a woman in a long time.

“I know. It’s ridiculous,” I said, running my hand through my hair.

She sat in a bewildered silence for a moment.

“So, that’s what it costs to spend a night with Daniel Jacobs. Well, I hate to break it to you, but I don’t have that kind of money,” she said with a smirk.

“I better be going then.” I pretended to stand.

Her eyes widened before she reached over and slapped me lightly on the thigh.

“You are the worst,” she said with a laugh.

Her hand was still on my thigh and I felt my blood coursing through my veins as if it were boiling water. I looked down at her hand and she nervously pulled it away. She reached for her drink and finished it in one impressive gulp.

Now or never,I thought.

I glanced at my watch. It was only 8 p.m.

“It’s still early,” I said. “Do you maybe want to come back to my place?”

She stared at her empty drink and I could see she was considering it.

“Is there food?” she asked.

I wasn’t expecting that.

“Food? Uh, yeah.”

“Good, because I’m starving.”

I laughed and tossed some cash on the bar.

Outside on the sidewalk, she went to hail a cab before she noticed I had a car waiting. Armand opened the door for us, and she scooched her way inside the town car, with me following behind her. I noticed she slid all the way to the other side and was practically pressed up against the door. She was keeping her distance. For now.

“Do you like pizza?” I offered.

“Obviously,” she said.

“Armand, can you get some pizzas from Di Fara’s delivered?”

“Yes, sir.” He gave me a nod through the rearview mirror.

I leaned back in my seat and looked over at Addison. She gazed out the window, the city lights passing by us in a blur. I could see by her reflection in the window that she was maybe second-guessing herself. She was unlike most women, who practically straddled me seconds after getting in the car.

“Pizza should be there in about forty minutes, sir,” Armand called back.

“Thank you.”

Minutes later, we pulled into the parking garage of my building. Armand parked in front of the elevators, and I got out before he could open the door. I wanted to be the one who opened the door for Addison, to show her I could be a gentleman.

I held out my hand and she hesitated before taking it, allowing me to help her out. Armand stood back with an amused expression. This was a first.

“Have a good evening, sir,” he said, before getting back into the car.

I punched in the code for the elevator and the doors immediately opened. It was my private elevator, so no surprise there. Addison stepped inside and leaned against the back corner, again keeping her distance. We rode up in silence, her avoidant gaze looking anywhere but at me.

The doors opened to the entryway of my penthouse, and I stepped inside. I didn’t hear the sound of Addison’s heels behind me, so I turned and found her gaping from the inside the elevator. She stepped out and slowly followed me into the living room, taking everything in. I liked the feeling of impressing her. Knowing I could give her what most men couldn’t.

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