Page 15 of Player For Hire

“God, no.” She snorted. Then pinked up again as she realized she did and wrinkled her nose. “Sorry.”

I just grinned at her. All she needed was some freckles to be the most adorable redhead in my recent memory. Nope, her skin was just soft as water and pale as rain. Seemed to emphasize her huge eyes all the more.

I held my hand over the sensor of the door to keep it from sliding shut. “So, what do you do?”

“I’m a writer—well, a technical writer.”

“There’s no technicality if you write. That’s impressive as hell.”

She tucked her hair behind her ear and ducked her head as she walked past me. “If you saw what I write—wrote—you’d be less than impressed.”

“As I suck at writing a grocery list on my notes app, I’m going to disagree.”

She gave me that secret smile over her shoulder as she walked into the lobby. It was a Friday and busy with it. Many people in the building worked from home and escaped for lunch to the various eateries, including Lonegan’s.

A handful of people were using the tables to visit and a few more were busily working at iPads and laptops. The coffeemaker was doing all the steaming and noises that lured brave souls forward. I steered Naomi out the front doors. “It’s not a long walk if you’re cool with getting a little wet.”

She flipped her hood up. “Think you’re the one who’s going to get wet.”

“Not if Murray has anything to say about it.” I urged her forward. “Speak of the devil.”

Murray jumped up from his chair near the doors. “You’re up and about early, Colder.”

“Going to show Naomi around. Naomi, have you met our gatekeeper?”

She laughed. “Murray was just as helpful as Deb when I moved in on Tuesday.”

“And I didn’t notice you until yesterday? How is that possible?” I shook my head. “How am I supposed to keep my ambassador of The Heights status?”

“We’re happy to have you, Miss Taylor. Watch out for this one, he’s too charming for his own good.”

“I’m getting that.” Naomi peeked from her drooping hood and damn if that sweet face didn’t do something to me.

“Got one of those backup umbrellas for me, boss?”

“I suppose I do.”

I gave Naomi a little wide eyed faux shocked face and made her laugh, then took the black umbrella from Murray. “You’re the best.”

“Someday that charm won’t work, boy.”

“Won’t it though?”

Murray just shook his head and held open the door for us.

“Which way are we going?”

“Hang a right. You’re going to love it.”

“So you keep saying.”

Now that I knew she was a writer, I was pretty sure I was about to rock her world.

CHAPTER 6

NAOMI

The rain didn’t seem to stop anyone in Kensington, that was for sure. I tried to give Colder space on the sidewalk, but he kept urging me under the umbrella with him.