Page 59 of Mafioso's Muse

‘Is this’—he peered into the cup—‘instant?’

More laughter. ‘You struggle to even say the word. Yes, it’s instant—and quite drinkable.’

‘I politely disagree.’

‘For the record, nothing about that was polite.’ She took a moment to admire him in the early-morning sunlight. ‘I won’t be offended if you don’t drink it.’

‘Good.’ He promptly set the mug down, then turned to kiss her forehead. ‘You sleep okay?’

‘I could have done with a few extra hours, but I’m certainly not complaining.’

He met her gaze, eyes smiling. ‘Any complaints will be dealt with promptly.’

She bit back a smile, then drank from her mug. ‘Are you working already?’

He nodded. ‘Didn’t wake you, did I?’

‘No. I need to be at the studio in an hour.’ That was when she noticed his clean and freshly ironed shirt and different trousers to the ones from the night before. ‘Where did you get clean clothes from?’

‘Finn dropped them off earlier.’

Her eyebrows rose. ‘Does that poor man ever sleep?’

‘In short bursts.’ He turned to her properly. ‘I’m going to find you somewhere to live with working lifts and a concierge.’

At first she laughed, then registered his serious expression. ‘What are you talking about? I’m not moving. I’m perfectly happy here.’

‘I know that, but I need you happyandsafe.’

She took a sip of her coffee. ‘We’re about twelve hours into this undefined relationship.’

‘Too soon?’

‘A little.’

His expression remained serious. ‘I warned you everything would change once we crossed that line.’

She watched him over the rim of her mug. ‘Why don’t we start with a proper date rather than a house move?’

He combed his fingers through her hair, clearly not used to people telling him no. ‘Fine. How about dinner on Wednesday night? Somewhere with a view.’

‘How aboutrowingon Wednesdaymorning? Up-close view of the river.’

His eyebrows came together in a firm line. ‘You were serious about that?’

‘Absolutely. I need access to the parts of your life where I’mallowed.’

He reached up and tucked her hair behind her ear. ‘Fine. I’ll take you rowing. Finn will pick you up at 5:00 a.m. on Wednesday.’ His phone vibrated, and he glanced at the screen. ‘I’ll take this inside so you can enjoy your cup of black slurry out here.’

Willow watched him walk inside. These were the phone calls he’d been referring to, the ones she would never be privy to, the ones that would eventually drive her to resent him. She wondered if that were true, and if it were, how long it would take her to get to that stage.

Turning, she looked out at the city. The hum of traffic drifted up from the streets below. The mornings had turned chilly now that autumn was in full swing. She took a large drink for warmth, trying not to think about the potentially illegal business dealings happening inside her apartment at that moment.

The sound of the glass doors sliding open had her looking over her shoulder. She expected to see Vaughn, but it was Lili.

‘Um, why did Inky Capo just let me into your apartment?’ she asked once the door was firmly closed behind her. ‘Did he leave after dinner, then return for breakfast?’

It was clear she already knew the answer to that loaded question.