Page 8 of Built of Illusions

Nico’s face lit up. “You bought a place?”

Josie hadn’t planned to tell him, but the news was too bright to contain and she didn’t have any close friends to share with. “My first place.”

Nico shifted the sketchpad and pulled her into a one-armed hug. Tingles shot up and down her arm, shooting straight to her bloodstream and through her body.

Had to be the aftermath of the emotional day.

He steered her through the door and into the hallway, keeping his arm in place around her shoulder. She couldn’t bring herself to break contact. The offices around them were mostly quiet, although there were several lights on and a hum of conversation came from behind closed doors. Still, it was more intimate than all the other times she’d been with Nico and her hormones were bouncing with excitement.

When they reached the elevator, he lifted his arm and pressed the button, leaving her feeling bereft and relieved at the same time. He grinned down at her. “How’s it feel to be a first-time homeowner?”

She managed a smile. “Equal parts exciting and terrifying.”

He grinned. “Sounds about right. House or condo?”

“House.”

He let out a whistle. “Nice. When did you take ownership?”

“This afternoon.”

The elevator opened and Nico gestured her to enter first, then he punched the button for the parking level. “Damn. And we pulled you away from that for this. Are your helpers still working or did you send them home?”

Her face flushed and she kept her eyes on the elevator doors. “Just me, so you didn’t bother anyone.”

She felt his frown. Not possible, but there it was.

“I sure did. I disturbed you and your big day. You should have told me. This could have waited.”

Josie turned to him. “No. You did the right thing. Any step toward catching a man who could do that to women is a bigger priority than moving a few boxes.”

He nodded, but the frown she’d felt remained in place. “I’m still sorry we ruined your exciting day.”

They exited the elevator, giving Josie a break from the conversation as they crossed to his car. A sporty model in deep black. Sleek and sexy like its owner.

Nico followed Josie around to the passenger side of the car and opened her door. The gesture was gentlemanly and gave Josie yet another tingle. As if her body needed another excuse to tingle around the man.

He waited until she was seated and handed her the sketchpad. As he walked around the hood, she checked out the interior. Josie might know sweet diddly squat about cars, but the soft leather and elegant lines told her everything she needed to know.

Expensive and classy. Probably cost more than her brand new house.

Which made her smile. She’d grown up with nothing and she’d been on her own since her eighteenth birthday. She would never be one to crave luxury items but she would enjoy every moment of this ride.

Nico lowered himself into the seat and buckled in before starting the car. Not a sound.

She grinned. “Electric?”

He smiled back. “Tansy is basically my sister. I wouldn’t dare have anything else. Except maybe hydrogen, but we don’t have enough filling stations in the area yet and she’s not happy with some of the research in that area.”

Josie let her hands run over the seats and the dash. “Nice.”

When she looked over, his eyes had darkened and they were focused on the way her hands cruised the leather. “Very nice.” His gruff voice had her yanking her hands back and grabbing her sketchpad, adjusting it and her purse.

Nico didn’t say a word until they were almost out of the garage. “Which direction?”

“Right.” Then she gave him the address of her apartment.

“Tomorrow’s Saturday, so I assume you’ll be moving your stuff to your new place. What time is your crew showing up?”