Page 77 of Angel

She sits opposite me on the couch and plays with the scarf nervously.

“How was your day?”

“Usual shit.”

I drain the bottle and nod toward the bar.

“Fancy a drink? Wine?”

“Sure. I’ll fetch it if you like.”

“Sure.”

She jumps up and as she hurries over to the bar, I regard her from the couch, appreciating the curves of a woman I know only too well. I wonder if she would connect the dots if I hit on her now. Would everything click into place?

For some reason I’m impatient to put that to the test and I wander over and reach in front of her, my arms pinning her against the bar and whisper, “Would it shock you if I kissed you right now?”

“I, I⁠—”

“I really hope you say yes, because I’ve been thinking about doing this all day.”

Her back is facing me, but her eyes lock with mine through the mirror. Different eyes to Angels. Courtesy of the blue contacts he always wears.

“Jason, I’m well–”

Her shoulders sag.

“I can’t.”

I step back, a little victory chant playing out in my head.

“Why?”

She turns and her smile is a sad one. “I want your help. That’s why I came here. If we, well, move this past business, I’m afraid you won’t help me anymore.”

I reach up and stroke my finger down her soft cheek, wishing like crazy to kiss her soft lips again, kiss her sweet flesh, my hands roaming freely over her body. To gaze into her eyes as I go in for a kiss.

But she is conflicted. I see it in her eyes. She wants me, her heightened color, the beat of her heart against my chest, her pupils dilated and the small shiver that passes through her as she licks her lips.

“I may help you faster.”

“You speak as if that matters.”

She pushes me away and I admire her fire as she says angrily, “I’m not a whore, Jason. I told you I don’t fuck around.”

“So there is someone else.”

I’m enjoying this and she won’t catch my eye as she gasps, “No. Nobody, it’s just, this is business, no matter how much I wish it was different.”

There it is.

“You wish?”

I raise my eyes, my focus solely on her right now, and she shifts uncomfortably.

“Yes, Jason. For your ego’s sake, I do wish it was different. That I could enjoy my stay here and all the benefits it provides.”

I chuckle to myself as she sighs heavily. “But this is business; you are helping me and I would rather keep it that way.”