Page 11 of The Hitman's Virgin
Then the fantasy started to fracture in her mind as worry settled in. Her job. She wasn’t injured enough to stay away from work for long. Nothing really happened. Callie had rent, bills, and food to pay for. One day off could break her when she lived paycheck to paycheck. Unlike Evander, she didn’t have the luxury of missing days whenever she felt like it.
“I’m glad to hear that.”
“What time is it anyway?” She knew she’d slept in, and it had felt good, but maybe she could make it in for an afternoonshift. Had Evander even called her work to report her absence like he’d promised?
“Almost ten.”
It wasn’t like her to sleep in. She needed to stop playing the victim and get her life back on track. “Did you call the club yesterday?”
He didn’t answer her, pulling out a ceramic tray from the cupboards under the kitchen island. Evander began taking the pastries out of the bag. They look delicious and high-end.
“Have whatever you like. I got a bit of everything just in case.” When she started to question him again, he interrupted her. “Let me grab a vase for your flowers.”
He left the room and she felt a bit out of sorts. She carefully set the bouquet on the island and sat up on a stool. If he hadn’t called Guy’s Titties, this wouldn’t end well for her. Well, surely Guy would understand if she’d been in a hospital. But the police weren’t called and he may not even believe her.
“Here we go,” said Evander, returning with a white tubular vase. “It’s all I could find. Honestly, I don’t know how I even have this one.” He chuckled to himself and she realized, despite everything, she was falling for his personality. Not his face, his body, or his money, but who she was getting to know as a person.
As much as she’d love to forget the world beyond these walls, she couldn’t hide forever. “You didn’t call, did you?”
He took a breath and exhaled. When he made eye contact, her heart did a little leap. Evander shook his head.
“Why not?” She started looking around the countertops. “Do you have a phone I can use then?”
“You’re very enthusiastic about returning to that place. It’s not safe, Callie.”
She huffed. “It’s not about wanting or not wanting. It’s about necessity. Trust me, I’ve tried to get other jobs, but it’s not easy.”
“You’re better than that club.”
“It doesn’t matter if I’m Mother Theresa. I still have bills to pay.”
Evander placed the flowers into the vase and then filled it with water at the sink. She watched him from behind. Something about him calmed her, made her feel safe and wanted.
“How about if I made you a deal?”
“What kind of deal?”
“I can give you a job.”
She raised a brow. “A job? What are you talking about?”
He set the flowers down, then braced both hands on the counter. His eyes were set hard, his casual demeaner changing into something more intense. “I don’t want you going back there, Callie. If you don’t want me to take care of you, you can work for me.”
She shook her head. “I’m not taking your money. We both know you have no job openings. And you definitely don’t need a maid.” Callie stretched out her arm to showcase his spotless home. “You don’t need to worry about me anymore.”
He came closer to her, coming right up next to her stool. The man was so close she swore she could feel the heat from his skin.
“What about our date? The one you agreed to?”
“We can still do that.”
He played with some of her hair that came loose, twirling it around his finger. “I like you, Callie. Give me a chance.” His words were quiet, almost whispered, but gruff. Her body reacted to his deep voice, his touch, and his body hovering so close to her.
She dared to say, “I like you too.”
He hissed through his teeth, her entire body lighting up in response. “You have no idea how good it sounds to hear you say that,” he said.
Oh God, was he going to kiss her? He was so close and she could feel the connection between them. The heat. His cologne was rich and masculine. Without thinking about it, she reached out and placed a hand on his chest. He didn’t pull away.
