Page 5 of Keep Me Safe
“You’re not hungry?” I couldn’t help myself and loaded it with innuendo. “I’m hungry.”
For a split second, there was a crack in her facade and a sliver of anxiety seeped through to her face. A gentleman wouldn’t badger her after what she’d just been through, but I was not a gentleman. I might have been accused of it a few times in my past, but those people were mistaken.
Plus, if she was anything like her sister, she could handle me. In fact, I suspected Kara was the tougher of the two Hayward sisters, and that was saying something.
“No,” she said. “I’ve lost my appetite.”
My tone was light, teasing. “Come on. I came across Midtown.”
“I didn’t ask you to do that.” She had all her items gathered, ready to leave, and clearly stalled. “Do you want me to reimburse you for the Uber?”
I laughed, full throated. People like me didn’t use Uber, and she knew it, but I’d play along with her joke.
“You think I can’t afford it?” I said. “Sorry. You probably couldn’t understand that with the silver spoon in my mouth.”
Her eyes narrowed. “Thanks for stopping by to check on me, but I need to get going.”
“Let me give you a ride.” I hadn’t intended it to sound sexual, but of course it came out that way.
“No,” she replied, far too quickly. “No, thank you.”
She seemed to view me as an opponent. Why did I enjoy it so much?
“Have I done something to upset you?” I said, relaxed. “You don’t seem to like me very much.”
“I don’t know you.”
“That’s not true. We talk almost every day.” She gave me a flat look, and I shrugged. “You don’t want to get to know me?”
“Not particularly.”
I grinned. She wasn’t a good liar. “Why not?”
“Because of the flowers,” she said. “Because you make me,” she searched for the right word, “uncomfortable.” Only she said it like I filled her with heat and longing she didn’t want to have.
“I do? Why do you think that is?” I rose from my seat and stepped closer, the air instantly thick between us.
“What you want from me . . .” Her voice went low and breathless. “I already told you I’m not interested.”
I made sure my voice sounded skeptical. “You did say that.”
“I meant it.”
“If that were true, then you have no reason to be uncomfortable,” I said. “But if it’s not true...”
“I meant it, Shawn.”
It was convincing enough this time to give me pause.
Her gaze drifted down to her desktop. “I’m going back to my hotel to get some rest because I’ve got an early flight home tomorrow.” She moved past me and pulled on her long, red raincoat. “I’m sorry you had to come all the way over for no reason.”
I’d have to try a different approach yet again since this one wasn’t getting me anywhere. “It’s no problem. I’m sure your sister will be glad to hear everything’s well.”
She looked like she just wanted this over and me to be gone. Fine. I could do that. I could wait another day to seduce her, and I was great at being patient.
“Can I at least walk you out?” I asked, sliding my coat back on.
Her face softened, relieved I was backing off. “Sure.”
