I would have found the bastard who broke her heart and throat punched him, but again, I had no clue who the fuck I was looking for, so I comforted her the best way I knew how. Countless dinners here at Axel NY, during which she drank expensive red wine as she cried in her glass.
“Why?” I ask the expected question with a concerned note in my tone. “Why is it miserable?”
I know how to coddle her as well as I know how to commend my younger brother, Callum. I was there for them both as we grew up. Our father fucked off when we were kids, and our mother, determined to prove that fate was no match for her, worked herself until she was bone weary.
Roman had his own demons to deal with, so I drew the lucky straw and became a guiding light of sorts to my siblings.
“There are no good single men left in New York City,” my sister grumbles.
I huff out a laugh. “There’s Mr. Winters from your building. He’s crazy about you.”
She offers me an eye roll. “He’s ninety years old. I’m talking about men I can fuck, Matthew.”
“Too far, Delia.” I shake my head. “That went too far.”
“Sorry?” she asks as if she’s unsure she should apologize for bringing up her sex life.
“I’m sure there’s at least one guy in this vast metropolis who would find you enchanting.”
That softens her immediately. She tugs on a lock of her blonde hair. “Do you think there’s a chance I’ll find him? I can tell you, from experience, that it’s almost impossible to meet someone you have chemistry with in Manhattan. I’m talking explosive chemistry. I’m talking about the type of chemistry that makes you want to race into a room together, shut the door, and never leave, but you wouldn’t get it. You don’t know anything about a connection like that.”
My gaze trails back to where Faith is sitting. Her head is tossed back in laughter, causing those full tits of hers to strain against the thin material of her dress. “I’m well aware of that type of chemistry, and you’re right, it’s very hard to find.”
Any chance not taken is a wasted opportunity in my world.
That’s why I bid goodbye to my sister and settled back in my chair for another drink. This time it’s scotch because I’m not on call tonight, and tomorrow I don’t start work until mid-afternoon.
I sip on the amber liquid as I watch Faith sample her way through a plate of desserts.
I can sense the way everything hits her palate based on her reactions. The yellow squared cake must have been lemon because her eyes crinkled at the corners when it met her tongue.
Something that looked like ice cream and colored deep purple drew a sigh from her. I couldn’t hear it, but I sensed it in the movement of her chest.
She hasn’t noticed me staring at her, and I’m grateful for that.
I’m planning on accidentally bumping into her as soon as she leaves that chair.
I glance at my watch.
I have all night.
How could I not? The reward for my patience is going to be some up close and personal time with Miss Upton when I suggest we share an Uber back to our apartment building.
If all I get out of this is twenty minutes in a car near her, I’ll take it.
I already know that before I crawl into bed tonight, I’m going to come with my fist wrapped around my cock while I think about how sweet it would be to fuck Faith with that dress hiked up around her hips.
Chapter Fourteen
Faith
“Are you sure?” I gaze down at the paper bag in my hand and the plastic containers in it. “This is a lot of food.”
“I’m sure,” Sadie says with a smile. “I’m very sure.”
All I can do is thank her, so I do with a hug. “I appreciate this more than you know.”
Her hand pats my back in that motherly way I miss. I haven’t had a hug like this since I left Connecticut to move to New York. I thought my parents might visit at some point because they fly to Maui and California several times a year to see my sisters, but I live just a few hours from them, so they expect me to hop on a train to go home when the mood strikes. I haven’t felt the pull to do that yet.
Sadie takes a step back when I end our embrace. “I do know, Faith. If you ever need food, you come here and tell them your meal is on the house. I already spoke to the manager about it. You walk in, and the chef will surprise you with something delicious.”
Carte blanche at an expensive restaurant in New York is a big deal. It’s a big fucking deal and something I won’t take for granted.