Page 38 of Virtue & Vengeance

“Happy to see me?” I asked as I closed the door behind me, knowing she was fed up with my showing up unannounced.

“Nope,” she said as she took a seat on the couch and began thumbing through a magazine as if I weren’t there.

I almost believed her.

If it weren’t for the tiny tug at the corner of her mouth hinting at a smile, I would have.

“When are you going to learn that lying to me is a waste of your time?”

“About the time that you learn coming here and checking up on me every day is a waste of yours.”

“Touché.”

Setting the magazine to the side, she ran her fingers through her hair and pushed it out of her face with a sigh. “What do you want from me, Zander?”

I could name so many things, but at that moment, nothing but her body came to mind.

I wanted to be near her.

I wanted to be inside of her.

I wanted it all.

Then an idea came to me.

I had to attend a charity event the following Saturday, and I would be there most of the night. That meant I couldn’t check on Eden at all that night.

Sure, my guys were watching her, but it wasn’t the same.

And sure she was supposed to work that night, but I was the boss which meant I could make sure she had the night off.

“Do you own a nice dress?” I asked.

She frowned. “Define nice.”

“Expensive nice.”

“I don’t wear dresses often and when I do it’s usually summer dresses. Does that answer your question?”

I smirked.

I loved that smart mouth of hers. “There’s a charity ball this weekend. I want you to go with me.”

Her mouth popped open in shock. “Excuse me?”

“You heard me.”

“Yeah, but is that supposed to be your way of asking me on a date?”

I chuckled. “Hell no. I don’t date.”

“Then what was it?”

“That was me telling you I won’t be around to keep an eye on you, so I’m taking you with me to the event.”

It was a lie.

Sure, I wanted her safe, but I wanted her at my side just as much.

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