SEVEN
“Holdyourhorses.I’m coming.”
From the other side of the door, heels click-clacked on tiles. The door opened, and…a vision appeared. What the hell had he done with Kit? I blinked several times, then let my gaze wander. He’d done something to his hair, and now it was all soft and shiny curls that flirted with his heart-shaped face. A face that was lightly painted with makeup, false lashes—I didn’t remember them being that long—and glossy lips that made them appear even redder than usual.
The jumpsuit I’d chosen for him was perfect. My imagination of him earlier in the fitting room as he tried on the outfit was nothing compared to this sight before me.
Warmth spread through me, a desire to touch him, to span his waist to see if my fingers would meet. What the hell? I swallowed hard and got a hold of myself mentally.
I was straight.
I might have kissed a man before, but that hadn’t been born out of desire. Just part of the job.
His lips are so shiny and kissable. What’s the flavor of his lip gloss? Or is it lipstick?
“Well, what do you think?” Kit asked, shimmying his hips as he turned and presented me with his back. He struck a pose, his hip cocked, giving me the full view of his tattooed back, all that pale skin, and the perky round ass.
Nobody should look this good. He was worth every single penny I’d paid for him.
“Sully!” Kit spun around and pouted at me. “Isn’t this what you wanted?”
“Yes, definitely.” And because I was starting to feel stupid just staring at him, I handed him the long velvet box. “This is yours.”
“Ooh, you bought me jewelry.” He took the box from me and popped it open. He gasped, taking out the slender gold necklace. The moment I’d seen the gold pendant, I had to get it for him—a key with the oval top in the shape of a kitten. It’d cost quite a bit, but it was worth it seeing the awed look on his face.
“It’s gorgeous.” He bounced up and down, grinning. “I can’t wait to add it to my kitty collection.” He snapped his head up. Some of the light dimmed from his eyes. “Unless—is it mine to keep?”
“It is.”
“I’m going to wear it all the time. Can you put it on, please?”
It was on the tip of my tongue to ask him if he realized what the key pendant meant. Of course, it was all a subterfuge for people to think our relationship was serious when I introduced him.
“Sure. Turn around.”
I braced myself for our fingers brushing when he handed me the necklace, but I was far from prepared for the pale neck he showed me. So vulnerable and trusting for him to turn his back to me like that. I felt almost guilty for not telling him the entire truth about what I did for a living. What he didn’t know, he couldn’t tell. It would keep our operation intact if someone got to him. A shitty reason to keep things from him, but I wouldn’t let anything happen to him.
When the time came for him to walk away from this gig, I wanted him to do so in a better position than he’d been before and capable of taking care of himself against the Nolans and Sullivans of this world.
I fumbled with the necklace, and it almost fell, but I caught it and secured the ends around his neck. I rubbed my thumb over his nape, caught myself, and quickly stepped away.
“Are you ready?” I shoved my hands into my pockets as he faced me. “I don’t want us to be too late. Most of the others should already be there when we arrive.”
“Looking to make a grand entrance?” He smiled, fingering the pendant.
“With you on my arm, why the hell not?”
“Awesome. Then I’m playing the part just right.”
I opened my mouth to ask him what part. Luckily, he turned away, snagged a purse with gold straps, and slid it up his shoulder.
“I’m ready now.”
He was a perfect mix of feminine and masculine, and I was captivated by both sides of him and how together they made a unique Kit. I couldn’t see him as one without the other.
I forced my eyes away from him and offered my arm.
“Always such a gentleman. I love that about you.”