Page 9 of Silver Sinner

"He doesn't like it?"

"I think he does, in his own way, but if I have to watch him fight with it during what's supposed to be a nice thank-you lunch, he may find himself unemployed."

"Moses works for you?" My brows lift. "I thought you two were just friends. What do you do for work?"

"We work in real estate," Pierce replies. "Moses helps me with my… designs and makes sure everything is implemented securely."

"Real estate. Wow." No wonder he can afford such exquisite suits. Although why men like that eat in a diner like Frank’s is beyond me. "That's so cool. Do you design people's homes?"

"To an extent," Pierce replies. "It's often difficult work, but I'm good at it. And you? Do you have any other passions outside of the diner?"

I snort softly and glance away, slightly embarrassed at the sound. "I wouldn't call the diner a passion. It pays my bills and helps me take care of my daughter."

"You have a daughter?"

"Yup!" My smile widens. "Maddie. She's six years old and too smart for her own good. Smarter than me, that's for sure."

"How beautiful. Children are such a gift."

"That they are." I want to ask him if he has any children. Given his appearance, he looks old enough for it, but the sudden scent of Chinese takeaway in the air quietens my desire to learn more. Accepting his walk home was wonderful at first, but alarm grows in the back of my mind at him seeing where I live.

Pierce is such a refined, elegant man. The fact that he eats at my diner is one thing, but showing him my rather shabby apartment above the local Chinese takeout place suddenly feels like an extra nail in the proverbial coffin of how drastically different our lives are.

His suit probably cost more than my yearly rent.

Unfortunately, it's unavoidable. My steps slow as we reach the alley leading to the wrought metal stairs that wind up to my apartment. "This is me."

Pierce's eyes dart from the alley to the stairs, then to the restaurant and up to the floor above. "You live here?"

"Yep." My lips pop together. "Home sweet home."

"I love the smell of Chinese food," he replies easily. "I'm a little jealous."

Just like that, the alarm dies in my mind. "You should try the place. Everything they make is great. I've never had a bad dish."

"Is that an invite to dinner?" Pierce asks with a teasing smile. My heart stops dead in my chest at how handsome he looks.

"W-Well… I mean…" I can't think of anything to say. Pierce's smile remains as he unloops his arm from mine and takes my hand.

"Layla, it was lovely taking a stroll with you. Please, don’t dwell on what those boys said to you. Cunts like that act out when faced with a beauty such as yours." He lifts my hand and presses a warm, gentle kiss to the back of my hand. "They are worthless, do you understand?"

I'm frozen, unsure if I'm more stunned by how amusingly he swears or the kiss to my knuckles. In the end, all I can do is nod as warmth blooms in my gut.

"I won't," I reply softly. "Barely… even remember what they said."

Pierce straightens up, then suddenly a sleek, shining black car pulls up to the curb behind him.

"Goodnight, Layla."

"Goodnight, Pierce. And thanks again."

"Anytime." He ducks his head slightly, then he turns and walks toward the car and immediately gets into the back. But the car doesn't move.

It just stays there, rumbling softly like a tamed beast while I turn and climb up the stairs to my front door.

Fumbling with my keys, I shove them into the lock and stumble into my apartment while the back of my hand tingles with the ghost of Pierce's lips.

What an absolute gentleman.