Page 57 of Preying Heart
I pull up my office chair and sit so I’m level with her. “It’s not just identifying information. It’s associations. Say you’re careful, but someone you know is not. For example, your brother.”
She rolls her eyes and gives a curt head shake. “You think everyone’s stupid. My brother is a con man, and he’s swindled many women. He knows not to get caught.”
“How come he had to be bailed out?”
“He was set up by Gavin. I’m sure of that. He needs money and Gavin lends it to him, and then Gavin uses his buddies in the police department to arrest him and threaten to put him away. Usually works.”
“You told me Gavin bailed him out.”
“He did it because I asked. He does things for me when he wants something.”
“Isn’t that what you’re prepared to do?” I run a hand over her shoulder and down her arm, brushing her breast.
“Oh no, I wasn’t like that. I didn’t do things to get things. I did them because I was scared.”
At least she’s being honest. I feel for her, though. I can’t imagine being so frightened that I’d do anything, take any punishment. Actually, I do remember, but I was a helpless child, and I’d rather forget how much I groveled.
“What about now? Are you still frightened?”
She licks her lips and gives me a side-eye glare. “Oh no, I only do what I want. And right now, I want you to set up an account for me.”
That has-me-by-the-balls feeling grabs me like a kick to the side of my head. I want her so badly, but she doesn’t want me—other than to protect and serve.
“I’ll set up your account for you and you can go on only if I’m watching over your shoulder.” I hate giving up ground, but she has a point. I wouldn’t know how to interact with her artistic community. An NFT is like a baseball card. Its value depends on factors like popularity, branding, and collectibility. The originator has to have a fan club and keep the fad going. Some of them allow the owner to license the images to create derivative works of art, sell merchandise, or create their own communities around the NFT.
Remi’s smile is wide and seductive. “You may watch over my shoulder as long as you massage my stiff neck. But you’re right. I do need a break.”
Is that an invitation? Or bargaining?
“Sure, let’s take a long afternoon break.” I pick her off the chair in a single motion and swing her around in my arms. Like a pair of newlyweds, I take her from the office and step through her bedroom door.
Laying her down on her bed facedown, I crouch over the side of the bed and run my hands up and down her back.
“This feels so good,” she moans, eyes closed and relaxed.
I know what she’s angling for, but I’m not going to give her the satisfaction of having me initiate sex. Oh no, I’m not settling for tit for tat, no matter how much I want that tit. I’m made of stronger stuff than her perverted congressman.
I can wait for her to beg.
My big hands work every bit of her muscles and tendons, from the back of her neck down to her tailbone. I loosen every knot and smooth the tension from her spine until she’s putty in my hands.
Her moans come from deep within and her breathing is long and even. I’m working her into a frenzy of lust. Soon she’ll turn over and expose those delicious breasts and bare her throat to me, begging to be seduced.
I move in closer, hovering over her with my body heat, and press a gentle kiss on her lips only to discover she’s fallen asleep.
ChapterTwenty-One
Remi
As attracted as I am to Heath, I have to rein myself in—not only because I don’t want things to get complicated, but also because he has something going on with Lucy. She drops by with a carload of groceries, and while she and Heath unload the car, I stay back and observe their bickering. Glock yawns and circles back and forth between them like a toddler welcoming his parents home.
If they’re sleeping together, they must have one of those “open” relationships, because Heath doesn’t hesitate to give me a hug or a quick peck on the lips when she’s around.
This does not make me comfortable.
At all.
“Remi, how are you feeling?” Lucy pushes her sunglasses up over her forehead. “Heath didn’t say if you have any cravings or food aversions.”
