“Can we talk about it later?”
“Oh yeah, right. What about the cash?”
“Hit up Al, or I can get it to you in the morning. This is not my emergency.”
“Yeah, fuck you.”
“Fuck you, too.” I end the call. “That was Pauly,” I explain since Sophie knows him. “Sorry for the interruption.”
We walk a little further, but Sophie’s steps slow. “Well, I feel stupid now, but my feet are killing me.”
I glance down at her strappy heels. “I’m sorry, I should have realized.” I swing her up into my arms, chuckling when she lets out a little shriek.
“Ack! Put me down, I’m too heavy!”
I enjoy the feeling of her in my arms. She’s soft and slight. Her hair smells faintly of citrus. “You’re not too heavy, and I’m not putting you down.” I turn to walk back in the direction of my car.
She squirms in my arms, but I can tell she loves it. “You’re showing off.”
“Yes,” I murmur, enjoying the honeysuckle scent at her pulse and the view of her cleavage.
“You’re looking down my shirt, aren’t you?”
“Paybacks are hell.”
“What’s this payback for?”
“Your little massage torture game.”
“Oh yeah, that.”
“Yeah, that.”
I carry her back to my car and set her down to open the passenger door. “All right,bella. Back to your place? Are you through with me for the night?”
“Yes, please,” she murmurs to my disappointment but not surprise.
I start the car and pull out, navigating my way to her townhouse.
“So, what, are you a capo now?”
I send her an amused glance. “I’ll tell you what. I’ll let you quiz me about my job right after you let me strip-search you for a wire.”
She snorts.
When we get to her place, I jump out to open her door and swing her up into my arms again.
“Jesus, Joey!” she protests, but there’s a giggle in her voice. “You just want me to tell all my friends you swept me off my feet, don’t you?”
I want you to tell them I fucked you so hard you forgot your own name.
The idea of her telling her friends anything about me turns me on. “Whatareyou going to tell your friends?”
“I’m going to tell them—” she breaks off abruptly, and I have the feeling it’s because it’s not all positive.
“What? That some Made Man took you out and manhandled you?”
“Shut up,” she says, but I can tell by the way her gaze darts away I’m close to the truth. I walk her to the door and take her keys, refusing to put her down until we’re inside.