Page 205 of Scoring the Player
Very cute. “He resembles that footballer who plays for PFG,” I note.
“Oui. He’s his older brother.”
“Yeah?”
“Mm. Olivier is removed from all of that, though. He didn’t know who I was when we met.”
“That’s perfect for you.” He’s struggled with guys dating him for money and clout. It’s part of the reason we worked. I knew he could be discreet and would never out me, and he knew I didn’t want or need his money or influence.
“I don’t know about perfect, but I want to see where it goes.”
After I fight him to pay the bill, and win, I’m signing the check when I tell him, “Denzel’s missing again.”
“For how long?” he asks.
“Right after you and I last spoke, I talked to him on the phone.”
“Oh,mon ange, viens là.” He rests his hand on my thigh. “Can I help?”
“We hired a PI.”
“You’ll keep me posted?”
I nod. “Ready?”
He reaches for his coat. “I brought you a gift. I’ll have it delivered to you next week.”
“I told you, no more suits. It’s too much.”
“I can’t imagine anyone else in it,” he states.
“Your scientist looks like the perfect muse.”
“I prefer him disheveled. What about your guy? Can I make him a suit?”
“He’s not my guy.” I tilt my chest up, stretching out the tension in my back. “Anyway, he’ll probably burn it and send you a death threat scrawled with its ashes.”
He laughs. “Possessive?”
A man standing in the corner of the lounge turns slightly, playing it off like his phone wasn’t just pointed at us.
“Murderously so,” I say, hating the fondness in my voice.
“Hot.” He swoons.
CHAPTER 51
ARNAZ
“The Lights Will Never Be on When I Come Home”
And a dream is buried in a nailed coffin, doused with gasoline, and set on fire until embers and ashes remain.
A high wind with a sustained speed of 70 miles per hour transports its silt into my lungs, where it pollutes my brain.
“Another round, please,” Sid requests of the bartender.
“How do you know that?” I ask, not believing Sid’s reassurance that I have nothing to worry about with Salem and Lucien.
