Page 49 of Whatever You Need

Normally,I hated Monday mornings, but today was an exception. I sat on the edge of Amelia’s bed, watching her get ready. Her long blond hair was pulled up on top of her head as she carefully applied a bunch of makeup she didn’t even need.

“Why do you wear that stuff?” I asked.

The mascara wand paused over her lashes. “Because I have to look professional at work.”

Right. I guess that made sense. Amelia didn’t talk about her job much, but I knew that her grandfather owned the hotel chain and she had some big fancy title, which came with a lot of responsibility.

“Do you enjoy what you do?”

She placed the mascara wand back in the tube and stood up. “It’s my dream job.” Her voice got quiet as her gaze moved to the floor. “I practically grew up working at the hotel. As soon as I was old enough to get my working papers, I started that summer. My grandfather wanted me to learn every area of the business so I could someday take over for him. I’ve worked in housekeeping, hospitality, the back office, and human resources. But my real passion was always in marketing. I loved working with clients and bringing their ideas to life.”

Listening to Amelia talk about her job and looking around at her expensive furniture in her upscale condo was a huge wake-up call for me. We came from two completely different worlds. I was a cop and even with the amount of overtime I worked, I would never make enough to where we would be evenly matched financially. In my Italian upbringing, the expectation was that the man provided for his woman. The realization that I could never give her the expensive things she was used to or be her equal in that regard bruised my ego.

“Hey.” She strolled over to stand in between my legs, her eyes were filled with concern. “What’s wrong?”

“I was just thinking about our differences.” She frowned, making me regret even bringing it up. If we were going to continue to spend time together, we needed to talk about it. “My job is not only dangerous, but the pay is shit.” I stared into her eyes. “I would never be able to give you all this.”

“Stop right there.” She placed her finger over my mouth. Her brows folded together and all I wanted to do was reach up and smooth them apart. But she looked pissed, so I figured it would be best to keep my thoughts and hands to myself. “Just because I have all this doesn’t mean I need it. You give me the one thing that money can’t buy and that’s happiness.”

I sighed and brought my hands to her waist so I could pull her on my lap. “Thank you for saying that, but I still feel inadequate when it comes to you.”

She pulled my head back and feathered her fingers in my hair. “You’re an idiot. You know that?”

“Why thank you.” I rolled my eyes.

“You have more decency and respect in your pinky than any other man I’ve known. I don’t ever want to hear you talk like that again. Do you think that I’m so shallow that I couldn’t be happy with a man who makes less money than me? If I wanted to date a rich guy, I wouldn’t have to look very hard. I have no interest in just being arm candy for some inflated ego in a suit. In case you haven’t figured it out by now, I like you Marco. Just the way you are.”

My hands moved up to frame her jaw. “I like you too.”

Her fingers started tracing light patterns on my shoulder. “I’m glad we got that settled.”

I leaned in and kissed her gently, teasing her lips even though my pulse was fluttering. Her mouth opened and my tongue slipped inside. I moved her head to get a better angle so I could dive in deeper. Amelia West could kiss, and it was becoming one of my favorite things to do.

“I should probably hop in the shower,” I said, dragging my mouth away from hers.

She sighed reluctantly as she stood up. “It’s probably a good idea. I’ll go downstairs and whip up a quick breakfast.” She strolled over to the closet and slipped on a pair of heels.

I picked up my bag and walked past her as she stood in front of the full-length mirror. She had on an emerald top with a black skirt that was a little too short for my liking. I squeezed my eyes tight, trying not to think about all the men that will get to look at her today. I wasn’t normally the possessive type, but then again, I haven’t had a girlfriend to worry about in a long time either.

Shit! Was that what she was? My girlfriend? I knew it was just a label, but why was it so hard for me to acknowledge it?

She was putting a pair of diamond studs in her ears and caught me staring. I gave her a grin and forced my feet to move toward the bathroom so I could get ready.

I made quick work with getting dressed. I had just applied a little gel in my hair and was fastening the top button of my dress shirt when I heard the doorbell ring downstairs. I stuffed my razor and my toothbrush into my toiletry bag, grabbed my keys and wallet off the nightstand, and started toward the landing. I reached the bottom step and came face-to-face with a woman I didn’t recognize.

Her eyes widened when they saw me. She gave me a once-over and I did the same.

“Mom.” Amelia’s cheeks were flushed and not in a good way. “This is Marco,” she said, voice shaking and looking more than a little uncomfortable. “Marco, meet my mother, Tamara West.”

“Nice to meet you.” I extended my hand, which she barely acknowledged. Her greeting was limp and probably lasted less than a second.

Tamara’s eyes slanted to her daughter. “I didn’t realize you would have company this early in the morning.”

“Maybe because that really isn’t any of your business.”

I inhaled a deep breath, trying to not let on about how awkward I felt. Sensing this conversation wasn’t something I should be a part of, I decided to peel out of there.

“You know what? I’m just going to swing by the drive-thru on my way to the station and grab a breakfast sandwich,” I said, noticing the ingredients on the counter to make omelets.

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