Page 33 of Twisted Debt (The Debt Tales 1)

Except when Jacob makes the mistake of calling her by his wife’s.

“Zel,” she sheepishly replies.

“Go on, little doll,” I warmly encourage, chin tipping to the offering. “You might enjoy this one. It may be red – the type you prefer to pass on – but it does sparkle.” My free hand lands lovingly on the small of her back. “Perhaps it will be to your liking.”

Her grin grows blindingly bright. “You remember what type of wine I prefer.”

“I do.”

There isn’t much I don’t know about her.

I would never admit it out loud, but I know more about her than any other doll I’ve had.

She gives me a happy hum, finishes the tiny bite of bread she had left, and grabs a glass.

Mandy poorly hides her snide expression prior to poking more at the woman she’s most likely envious of. “What is it you do for a living, Zel? Or do you just so happen to be a well-kept woman like myself who is fortunate enough to spend all her time sipping martinis and splurging at the spa while waiting for pookie wookie to come home?”

“Well-kept or spoiled?” I mutter from behind my glass and have a sip.

“I work in-” she unexpectedly stops herself to correct, “well, I used to work in housecleaning, but now…,” a sweet smile that causes my heart to swell is shot my direction, “now I’m just a full-time student.”

If I have it my way, contract or not, that is how it’ll remain.

“Studying?” Jacob warmly asks, joining the conversation.

“Nursing.” Zel adjusts her grip on the glass. “I think I may want to eventually do Aged Care Nursing – helping the elderly who can no longer help themselves – however, we’ll see at the end of next semester when it’s finally time for my residency.”

It’s almost impossible to swallow my grunt of bitterness.

Do I want Zel following her passion?

Yes.

Do I want her gone for twelve hour shifts around men I know would not hesitate to have her on her knees if given the right opportunity?

Not. At. All.

Perhaps, I’ll simply buy a hospital.

Fire any and all attractive medical physicians.

“That’s admirable,” Jacob comments on a smirk that causes me to glare. “I imagine many patients in their old age would love a face like yours to greet them daily. I know I would.”

“Flirt with my doll again, and you might not live long enough to need that type of help.”

He simply brushes me off with a chortle.

Rather than retort, Zel tips her glass back to finally indulge in a taste. The instant it hits her tongue she moans in pleasure painting urges in me that I’m not sure I have the strength to resist.

She empties the glass almost instantly, prompting me to inquire, “Would you care for a full one?”

“Yes, please.”

Grateful to have the segue for an exit, I politely nod at the pair in front of us, “If you’ll excuse us. I need to get this lovely young woman a drink.”

Mandy flashes a phony smile of dismissal, and Jacob merely tips his head in acknowledgement.

Leading my date away from them and over to something she’ll actually enjoy receives me unspoken praise in the form of a long, loving stare. We mingle with other guests who are equally as obnoxious, yet her steady drinking seems to help aid in tolerating them. Wine as well as appetizers flow while the various conversations revolve around topics I don’t care to chime in on.

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