Page 90 of Forbidden Want
There were people at the foot of the stairs. Unusual for that time of day. Better than finding the place abandoned as she had when waking up alone in the past.
The broad guy taking up the full doorway moved aside when she got to the bottom.
Strat came into view. “Is it true?” he asked, getting in front of her when she stepped off the stairs.
Not like she had to ask what he was talking about. Oddly, it was reassuring she wasn’t the only one blindsided by the possibility of her father’s duplicity.
“I don’t know,” she said, righting her purse under her arm. “I think so.”
“I can’t fucking believe it. Always thought he was straight as an arrow.”
He and her both. “People are complicated.”
Sidestepping, he stayed in her way. “Are you gonna talk to him?”
“No. I mean what’s he going to say?” Not like her father ever felt the need to justify himself to her. “I don’t want to make him desperate.” She tried to pass him again and he got in her path. “What are you—why won’t you let me leave?”
“‘Cause I told them not to.” Connel’s voice echoed along the corridor, attracting everyone’s attention. “Give Strat the purse and coffee.” She did. “Come here.”
She went down the corridor to where he opened a door and went inside. The coat check. She’d never been in there before. Empty racks with hangers lined up for what seemed like miles.
With a hand on her waist, he urged her back against the wall. “You woke up lonely.”
“I did,” she said, giving him her complete focus. “But it’s okay, I know you’re busy.”
“Text me today.”
“When?”
“Whenever you go anywhere.”
“Thought you tracked me,” she said, tucking her fingers behind his buckle inside his waistband.
“Yeah, but I want you to choose to submit. Every detail.”
She smiled because she’d given him that insight into himself. “I’ll text.”
“I want a full report of what they say at the hospital.”
“Okay. I’ll record the audio.”
“I have an event here tonight.”
“I can stay at my place or over at Strat’s, it’s fine,” she said, using her grip on him to boost higher. “Kiss me goodbye.”
“I kiss you now, we’re going upstairs,” he said, the back of his fingers floating up her cheek. “I want you here tonight, before midnight.”
Oh, unexpected. “If you want me here—”
“I want easy access.”
“Easy access to…” His forearm landed on the wall above her head. As it slid upward, he loomed closer. “What kind of event is this?”
“You know you drive men wild?” he said under his breath, fixating on her mouth.
“I do? No, I don’t.”
“The sway in those fucking hips when you walk. That smile you land on us, that naughty light in your eyes.”
