Sinner(119)
I grin.
“It’s going to be stuffy.”
She shrugs. “I can do stuffy.”
“It’s going to be boring as hell.”
“Talk to me about the drink situation.”
“Free? Pretty much endless?”
“I’m in.”
I laugh and shake her suddenly outstretched hand.
“I’m warning you though, this is basically a bunch of rich old guys talking about how rich and old they are while their trophy girlfriends, or mistresses, or escorts smile and try not to look bored.”
Her hand flies to mouth as she gasps, her eyes twinkling with humor. “Escorts? Seriously?”
“Oh, with this crowd? Totally.”
“Wow, so you’re really asking me to come to a boring old rich guy thing and be your fake mistress? You sure do know how to pamper a girl.”
“Look, I wouldn’t presume-”
“Can I make up a fake name?”
My brow wrinkles as I grin at her.
“You are a strange creature, Serena Roth.”
She shakes her head primly. “The name is now Ruby, thank you very much.”
“Seriously?”
“Ruby Tuesday, actually. Pleasure to make your acquaintance,” she says dramatically, that southern twang suddenly much more pronounced as she curtseys.
“Well, Ruby, I think Mick Jagger was looking for you earlier.”
She snorts a laugh before suddenly frowning. “Wait, honestly, am I dressed for this?”
She steps back and twirls in her thigh-length, sleeveless, scoop-necked white dress.
Jesus Christ, she’s gorgeous.
“Uh, yeah,” I manage to mumble out. “Yeah you’re perfect.”
She blushes.
“Actually,” I stroke my chin as I glance up and down the street. “It needs one thing.”
My eyes lock on the jewelry store halfway down the block.
“C’mon.”
I grab her hand before she can say anything and pull her running towards the store.
“Landon, I think they’re closing.”
“They’ll stay open.”
They are, in fact closing, the outside lights shutting off just as we get to the door. That is, until I slap my Amex black card against the glass.
Yeah, they open back up for that.
Three minutes later, Serena’s shaking her head.
“This is…” She blinks and looks up at me with those big green eyes.
“I can’t wear this,” she says softly, her hand coming up to the silver chain around her neck.
“You definitely can. And by the way, we’re a bit tight on time.” I tap my watch before glancing up at the beaming store clerk and passing her the credit card. “We’ll take it.”
“Landon, I-” Serena turns, and my breath catches. The silver and pearl teardrop pendant hangs gleaming against her tan skin, the soft teal of the stone making her eyes pop even more.
“I don’t know-”
“You look fantastic, and we have to run.”
Present:
The guilt from calling my investigative guys is basically gone by the time I pull into the airport parking lot later and shut off the car. After all, at the heart of it, this is all just business. This is me protecting the legacy of a man who’s given me more than I ever deserved. Whatever I felt with Serena Roth that one bizarre night in Houston, it means nothing in comparison to that task.
I have a job to do here, and it can’t and will not be thrown off by unseen variables like Serena. If digging up some dirt and getting to the bottom of this mystery allows me to do my job of protecting Sam’s team, then so be it.
I pocket my keys and step out of the car, adjusting my tie and cuffs and straightening my jacket as I head for the arrivals terminal. I haven’t dressed to impress or anything, I’ve dressed for the job at hand. This is business, and I intend to keep it that way between the two of us.
The arrivals terminal is stuffed with people - families and friends and lovers - all eagerly waiting to see each other again. I’ve got exactly one person in my life I care about like this, and she’s currently at school most likely practicing for a spelling bee. One person who I’ve got the capacity to love, or care this much about, and that suits me just fine.
I’m off to the side, tapping out an email on my phone and ignoring the gushy greetings and high-pitched squeals of reunion s when I hear my name.
I look up.
Shit.
She looks good.
She looks too good actually, standing there in the arrivals doorway in a sundress with a suitcase in her hand. And for a second, I have to remind myself of the pep talk I’ve just given myself about separating work and pleasure.
The woman is gorgeous - effortlessly sexy; enticing without being overly done up. Toned legs under that flirty dress, a body that can’t not make something growl inside of me, a perfectly curved neck, polished cheekbones, pouty lips, thick lashes, and sharp green eyes.