She spread her napkin in her lap and shoveled bite after bite into her mouth. The fucking truth had been staring him in the face. And didn’t he feel like an asshole for not realizing that Heavenly wasn’t just starving today, but every day?
The girl was broke. Why else would she work in shoes so unsuitable for the job? Or only have water for lunch?
Heavenly didn’t need a hand merely with her case study; she needed basic necessities. He might never be her lover, but he could at least be her friend. If she thought he pitied her, she’d refuse his help. So he’d have to be discreet. Devious, even. Luckily, he was good at that.
While he was at it, he’d work on figuring her out. The woman was a puzzle. A conundrum. A maze. Trying to read her was like reading a technical manual in Braille. Still, something about her compelled him to understand.
“So…” he tossed out after a few forkfuls. “How are things?”
Heavenly carefully set her utensil aside before taking a long sip of her drink. Beck knew a stall tactic when he saw one but waited for her reply.
“What ‘things’ do you mean?”
“Oh, you know…classes, tests.” The bitches of east wing. “Your volunteer work here at the hospital? Life?”
“Fine.”
She lied to him without hesitation, without even blinking. No mention of anything vital like being tormented or hungry.
What are you going to do about it?
Nothing he could do…for now. But with a little finagling, he would ingrain himself in her life. Open her up. Earn her trust. Help her.
But if he got that close, what would stop him from taking her to bed? Beck feared nothing at all.
CHAPTER SIX
Fairy lights twinkled like diamonds, casting a warm glow of welcome over the guests gathered on Raine, Liam, and Hammer’s expansive back patio. Standing heaters and a big fire pit kept the crisp December air at bay. The trio had invited their dearest friends for this holiday party, and the cozy event was in full swing when Seth arrived.
He was damn happy for them. They stood close, never drifting far apart. Despite the still-visible bruising beneath her makeup, Raine looked positively radiant. Hammer and Liam were both puffed up with pride at their impending fatherhood. Their resilience amazed him. He knew too well the harsh reality of tragedy and what it took to survive the aftermath.
After everything they’d been through, they deserved this beautiful new home, good times, peace, and the joyful life they planned together. If all went well, they’d be blessed with a baby, too.
An unexpected pang of envy twitched in his chest.
Frowning, Seth stared at the amber liquid in his glass, gave it a swirl, then downed the last of the whiskey. When he glanced up again, the threesome’s nearly tangible love still stared him in the face. That pang poked him once more. Christ, he hated this maudlin shit.
Maybe he shouldn’t be surprised. He’d had nothing close to a meaningful relationship since… Well, for years. Completely his own fault. Eight years ago, he’d made a vow of singledom with good reason. It had been great…mostly. Tonight, he found himself wishing for more.
Unless he made drastic changes in his life, he’d never have it.
Footsteps behind him, a sudden, loud pop had him snapping around, every muscle tense. Gunshot?
Heart thundering, he scanned the gathering. Nothing but conversation and laughter—and one of Shadows’ dungeon monitors, Pike, opening a bottle of champagne. Dragging in a breath, Seth forced himself to relax.
No one’s getting shot tonight. Stand down.
Suddenly, someone clapped his back. Seth whipped around, hypervigilant again. God, he was always jumpy this time of year…
He felt like an idiot when he saw Liam standing beside him with a grin.
“It’s a party, mate. No long faces allowed here.”
Seth pasted on a smile. “Just lost in thought.”
“Thinking about the past?”
“The future, actually.” That would probably surprise the hell out of Liam.
His friend raised a brow. “I can guess what you’re thinking about. Or should I say who?”
Seth followed Liam’s line of sight and clapped eyes on Heavenly. No mistaking the angel.
She sat alone on the far side of the yard, her silhouette illuminated by the party lights strung between trees. The simple blue shift she wore accentuated her slender shoulders and the curve of her breasts. Her hair hung in loose waves that draped over her shoulders and down to her waist with a luster like spun gold. Her slender legs had him wondering how they’d feel wrapped around him. She wore the same sandals she had for their picnic. Hell, even her toes were cute.
He’d suspected she would be here, but seeing her was still a punch in the gut.
“I barely know her.” And he shouldn’t be thinking about her so constantly after two weeks, one date, and no kisses. But for some reason, he’d hardly been able to think about anything else since feeling the first inexplicable pull to her.