Chapter 9

9

JUNE

" K itten." I smile, my eyes fluttering open. Luka kisses my lips.

"I love waking up to your kisses." He smiles, but it doesn't meet his eyes. "What?"

"I have to go."

"Oh." He lifts me into his arms. I realize now that he's dressed. Luka carries me into a bathroom.

"I read that you could be sore afterwards and how to help with it." He slowly lowers me into the giant white tub that smells of strawberries and honey. "I ordered some things for the bath too."

"It smells good."

"It's supposed to help." He drops down on the side of the tub next to me. "How do you feel?"

"I actually think okay." I wiggle. I'm a touch sore, but nothing I can't handle. You learn to be a little rough and tumble growing up on a horse ranch. Again, he smiles, but it doesn't meet his eyes. I give him the brightest smile I can. "I'll be fine, Luka. I still have this giant penthouse to rummage through. I hope you don't have any secrets lying around."

"Only classified ones." His response makes me laugh. That's right. There aren't any past lovers I have to worry about. It was so special when he told me I was his first, too.

I never expected Luka to be a virgin too. I mean I knew he didn't do the hand holding stuff, but I thought maybe he just banged girls and never let them get too close. I should have known that Luka was the kind of person to keep everyone at arm's length, not only emotionally but also physically.

"How are you feeling?"

"I was wonderful until my phone went off."

"Good," I chirp, leaning back into my warm bath. I love that he did this for me.

"Good? I thought you said it was okay for me to go. Maybe I?—"

"I just want to know you'll miss me."

"I'll miss you, kitten. Fucking trust me on that." He stands, but he leans over. "Now give me a kiss." Luka doesn't have to ask twice. I give him the best kiss I can and try to fill it with promise for what will be waiting when he returns home.

"Don't expect a home-cooked meal or anything." I tug at his tie.

"The only home-cooked meal I need from you, kitten, is between those thighs."

"Luka!" I laugh, but I also feel myself blush for some reason. "First cursing and now sex jokes."

"You've corrupted me, kitten."

"Good." I let go of his tie. He gives me one last kiss before he leaves. I hate that he has to leave so soon but understand that duty calls. I sink down into the tub and allow myself to relax. Once the water begins to cool, I get out of the tub, dry off, and put some clothes on. Time to snoop around a bit.

I guess it's not really snooping since I fully divulged to Luka what I planned to do. As I head out of the bathroom, my stomach growls, reminding me that I haven't had anything to eat. I head over to grab the tablet to order some food.

While I wait, I peek around but don't find much of anything. The man doesn't even have a junk drawer. Everything is neat and tidy. I'm scared to even touch anything in the kitchen because I might leave smudge marks.

I plop down on the couch, wondering what I should do now. My leg bounces with too much energy. At this point in the day, I would have already spent the morning running around the barn before heading into town for my daily lunch at the diner, then off to do odds and ends around town.

A chime goes off. I jump up, not sure where the hell it came from. I glance around as it goes off again, before the double doors that lead to the elevator open. A tall blonde woman with her hair pulled back into a tight ponytail that would give me a headache comes walking in. That's why I always wear mine in a loose braid.

She's carrying a tray in her hands. It seems out of place with her power suit. I think that's what they're called around these parts. It's got one of those bodysuits with a jacket over it, but instead of the typical skirt, she's got wide-leg slacks. Her shiny black heels peek out from beneath them. She is as pretty as a peach. I bet Paisley would be able to name her designer clothes from top to bottom. I, on the other hand, have no clue about those sorts of things.

"Hi!" I give a small wave. "You didn't have to do that. I could have gone and gotten it from wherever it was." I offer to take the tray from her, but she sidesteps me.

"It's my job." She sets the tray down on the table.

"I'm June, June Graysen." I hold my hand out. She looks at it, and I wonder if that's not proper. Do people not introduce themselves and shake hands in big cities?

"Dana Walker." Finally, she takes my hand.

"Oh! You work with Luka."

"I do. For over five years now."

I try to stand up straighter, but my posture feels bad while watching how she stands so properly.

"I'm excited to meet you." Dana gives me a curt nod. "So do you have to bounce from city to city with Luka?"

"Depends."

Right, she's not making this easy. It's like pulling teeth to get some simple small-talk questions answered.

"Would you like something to drink?"

"No, thank you. I have my coffee downstairs in my office."

"In the super secret spy office?" I give her a playful smile.

"In the what?" Her nose scrunches, as if she smells something she doesn't like.

"It's a joke."

"If you say so." It grows quiet between us. I try to think of something else to say. "Do you need anything else?" I guess she doesn't have a sense of humor. I'll have to remember that for next time.

"No, I think I can manage, but I know you and Luka must be busy. Is there anything I can do for you or help with?"

"I don't think so." I don't miss her undertone. It's not uncommon for some snotty people to think that because you talk with a slight, long drawl, that you're simple. I muster up all my willpower to not hit her back with a form of bless your heart . I decide to let this one slide. I'm new here, and I suppose this is her turf. Plus, maybe she's having an off day.

"Well, it was nice meeting you. I reckon you have other things you ought to be doing." I might not sass her, but I can lay the kindness on real thick. It's not always the worst thing to let people think you're simple.

"I do." Before leaving, she gives me a curt nod of her chin.

I sure started off with a bang. I let out a huff, praying not everyone is that cold around here. Not feeling too great, I do the one thing I know will cheer me up. I call my momma.