Page 20 of Mistletoe Masquerade
The intoxicating aroma of butter and sugar permeates the air in her beautiful apartment. The building is top-notch, and while her apartment is one of the smallest units, it’s large for Manhattan standards. It was hers before she and Sante got married. The two have boatloads of money, so I wouldn’t be surprised if they upgrade at some point, but her sister lives in the same building, so they’ve been content to stay.
“I’m just glad you could make it. I know this was last minute. The mood just struck, you know?”
“Absolutely, and I wasn’t doing anything else, so this is perfect.”
“Good. You get settled. I need to run to the restroom.” She sweeps gracefully toward the hallway. Amelie does everything gracefully since she’s a professional ballerina. She even sneezes gracefully.
Freya follows her. Where Amelie goes, Freya goes. They’re pretty adorable.
I’m about to head to the kitchen to peek at the cookies when a knock sounds at the door. It’s got to be Tommy and Dani. I spin back around and swing the door wide open, only to find Detective Dean Malone standing on the other side.
Time.
Stands.
Still.
He’s here. At Amelie’s apartment.
My shock is mirrored on his face. And what a beautiful face it is. He looks like a TikTok thirst trap in jeans and a snug cream-colored shirt, beneath a brown wool coat. And those eyes—they’re even bluer in the daylight, making them all the more cutting when they narrow with thunderous rage.
“The fuck?”
CHAPTER 10
DEAN
For a split second,I ask myself if I’m hallucinating. Like maybe I’ve been thinking about Sachi so much that I tricked my eyes into seeing her. But, no, she’s here in front of me, and she’s just as shocked to see me as I am her. Not a happy sort of surprise. She’s horrified.
That’s when it hits me.
I’m at Sante’s place.
She’s somehow connected to him.
Did that motherfucker send a woman to seduce me? If so, I served myself up on a platterfor her. Hell, I’m the one who invited her to my place.
I’m suddenly assaulted with questions. What the fuck did she do there while I was asleep? Was the entire night a performance? Are my instincts that far gone?
A whirlwind of thoughts and emotions comes at me all at once, building into a furious cyclone in an instant.
She starts to slam the door shut, but I manage to get a foot inside.
“I don’t think so,kitten.” I use my shoulder to pry open the door. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Sachi stumbles backward, her eyes wide and pretty pink lips parted. I should have made use of them last night when I had the chance. Now, I know she’s more likely to bite my cock off than suck it. What a shame.
I nudge the door shut behind me, then cage her in against the entry wall. A part of me wants to shake her and demand answers, so I don’t even tempt myself by touching her. That’s not who I am. No matter how upset I get with a woman, I won’t hurt her.
“What the hell are you doing here?” I demand, though the answer seems fairly obvious. “You work for Sante?”
“What? No! I’m friends with Amelie.” Her stuttered explanation has little impact on my fury.
“Ah, so you going home with me last night and ending up here the following morning has nothing to do with Sante. It’s all just a big coincidence.”
“Yes.”
“And you had no idea who I was,” I continue for her, condescendingly.
