What? I cut my thoughts off brutally. You thought he'd want to give you flowers and take you on a stroll?
A man who played clever games and talked about sexy photos, lingerie, and... and sex toys... No. I was a fool to act naive.
Gripping the vibrator, I sighed. He was taking us to a new level. My stomach was tingling with the idea. Was I ready to go this far?
Standing, I carried the toy into my bedroom. Just the act of crossing the threshold had me shivering. Did he really picture me using this on myself?
I traded it to my other hand uneasily. Did he imagine me moaning, writhing until I finally came from his gift?
How much would that turn him on?
Blushing, I shoved the dildo into my bedside drawer. I didn't have the guts to trash it, not after thinking about the poor lingerie I'd lost.
I also wasn't ready to indulge in this side of things.
Not yet.
And maybe... never.
- Chapter Five -
Alexis
“You look different.”
Flinching, I stared up at Laralie as she leaned over my desk. “What?” I asked.
She pointed to me, smiling slyly. “Your outfit, the way you walk... Oh my gosh, you're seeing someone, aren't you?”
Scrunching up my eyebrows, I sank low in my chair. “Shh! And no, I'm not. I'm just trying out some new stuff.”
Her stare said she didn't believe me. How could I blame her?
In the past few days my clothing had shifted. S had sent me gorgeous shoes, brand name jeans, dresses with layers and even a Burberry coat.
It was only a matter of time before others noticed.
Rocking in my seat, I pretended my computer screen was very interesting. “It's seriously nothing, Laralie.”
“It's clearly something.”
“It's not!”
“It's—”
A phone call interrupted our banter. Wagging a finger at Laralie to quiet her down, I lifted the receiver. “Salvador and Goldheart, how can I help you?”
“Yes,” a decidedly male voice said. “I'm looking for Alexis Willow.”
My back went ramrod straight. Laralie saw, and she hovered close with a curious gleam in her eyes. “Uh, yes. This is Alexis speaking.”
“Alexis, this is Detective Roose. Do you have a few minutes?”
A detective? My heart started to thump. “What's this about?”
I heard him shifting in his chair. “Miss Willow, I'm going over some old files. This may seem abrupt, but you're familiar with the bank robbery at Old Stone, right? Five years back or so?”
Old Stone.
I clutched the receiver, the edges of my vision going blurry. Had I heard him right? Yes, there was no doubt. But why... why now, and why ever...
“Ma'am? Are you there?”
My ears were burning with a hollow noise. Everything sounded so distant. Laralie was watching me. From her face, I knew I looked terrified.
Clearing my throat, I whispered, “Sorry, yes, I'm here.”
“Did you hear my question?”
Twisting my chair, I half-faced away from Laralie. “Yeah. I remember Old Stone, why are you calling about that?”
The detective—had he said his name was Roose?—cleared his throat. “I'd rather talk about it in person. I just need a few minutes of your time. Can we meet up this Thursday?”
Images were rolling through my head. Things I really, truly did not want to think about.
Not now, and not ever.
I worked my tongue, forcing words. “What's there to say, it was five years ago. You probably know everything about it.”
His chuckle was kind, but it did nothing for me. “I really don't want to do this over the phone. Let's just say, some new things have come to light. I can meet you at your office. It's Salvador and Goldheart, right?”
My jaw tightened. Of course he knew where I worked, he'd called in and found me. I wasn't shocked, but it left me sour. “I guess I don't need to give you the address, do I?”
He sounded like he was smiling. “I won't take up your day or change your schedule. It would really help me, ma'am. Really.”
More than anything, I ached to tell him no. That robbery... how could it come back to haunt me? I'd forgotten to breathe, so when I did, it sounded desperate. “Alright. A few minutes on Thursday.”
“Thank you.” Unless I was mistaken, he was genuinely relieved. “Well, I'll let you go back to your business. See you in a week, Miss Willow.” Then there was just dead air.
Turning, I set the phone down, fingers cramping.
“What was that about?” Laralie asked, bending over the top of my desk.
I stared at her, dazed. “A detective wants to talk to me.”
She pushed her lips together, eyes becoming huge saucers. “You? What did you do, Alexis?”
“Nothing.” Fixing my hair, I sighed. “I don't know. It's about...” Shit, even saying the name was a struggle. “You remember the bank robbery at Old Stone?”