“Landon was in the building for a meeting, and he stopped to say hello to an old friend—”
“Definitely not old, Jessica.” I’m still holding Rachel’s hand, and I don’t want to let it go.
Jessica preens at the compliment. “Thank you, Landon.” She addresses Rachel again. “He wanted to thank you for that lovely article on Insomnia Lounge.”
Rachel looks from me to Jessica, her bewilderment deepening. “I don’t understand. Why…?”
“Landon owns the place,” Jessica explains. “We had a little discussion earlier in the week and decided an article about it would be the right fit for our website, and Landon requested that you write it. Luckily he’d read a couple of similar articles you’ve written…”
I’m still watching Rachel, and her expression gives way from confusion to understanding and then to anger. She jerks her hand from mine as if she’s been stung. Then, she takes a deep breath and gives me a polite smile that doesn’t reach her flashing eyes. “I’m glad you like the article, Mr. Court—”
“Landon,” I offer. “Of course I liked it. You’re obviously good at what you do.”
She can barely hide her scowl. “Mr. Court,” she says in a firm voice, “I had a great time at your club, and the article reflected that. If that is all, I have to get back to work.” With a smile in Jessica’s direction, she turns and heads out the door.
I watch her leave. I haven’t gotten what I came for, though I’m not exactly sure what it is I want.
“It was great to see you,” I tell Jessica, ignoring her bemusement as I follow Rachel out of the office.
A short hallway leads to the office where Jessica’s assistant sits like a bad-tempered guardian. On the wall, portraits of Jessica with a variety of high-profile people announce her importance and achievements. At the end of the hallway, Rachel is about to open the door.
“Wait.”
She stops and turns around to face me. Her cheeks are flushed, and her eyes are still blazing with anger. I take a step forward.
“Why the rush, Rachel?”
She glares at me. “I have work to do.”
“As you said.” I wait for a reaction. “Although this is a strange workplace for a hooker.”
She inhales sharply. “Why didn’t you tell me you knew?”
She’s going to put the blame on me? “Why did you lie to me?”
“I didn’t lie to you,” she says through gritted teeth. “You made an assumption.”
Unbelievable. “And you didn’t think you should have corrected my mistake? I spent the weekend wondering why you didn’t leave your number, but I thought it didn’t matter since I could always get it from my brother. Try to imagine how surprised I was when I called him and he had no idea what I was talking about.”
She gives me a defensive glare. “Look, I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but you had no right to get me to your lounge under false pretenses just so you could…” Her glare deepens. “How did you even find out who I was?”
I don’t bother to answer the question. Finding out her real identity was easy. What I want to know is why she persisted in the lie and what it will take to get her back into my bed. “You had every chance to tell me you weren’t who I thought you were. Why didn’t you?”
She ignores the question. “Why are you here, Landon?”
Because I want you. I close the distance between us. I stop when I’m standing right in front of her, so close I can smell the peaches in her hair and see the fa
int quivering of her lips.
“I’m here because you owe me an explanation.” I watch her face as I speak. “That night at my apartment—why did you stay? Did you know who I was?”
She shakes her head, telling me what I already know. “I didn’t, and I don’t owe you anything. I wanted a one-night stand, and you wanted a hooker.” She shrugs. “We both got what we wanted. Why can’t you leave it at that?”
Why can’t I leave it at that?
Because I can’t get her out of my mind.
Because I want her.