This Is Where I Sleep by Tiffany Patterson Page B

serious look, and I realized that was the wrong thing to say. I knew he was going to pounce on my comment.
    “Speaking of which, tell me what you’re hiding.”
    “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I’m just doing the job I was hired to do.”
    Li cocked his eyebrow, obviously not believing me. “I know you better than anyone else. Why—”
    “You used to know me better than anyone else,” I said, cutting him off.
    “Get the fuck outta here. I can still read you like a book, no matter how much you try and hold back. I know enough to know you spotted every entrance and exit within thirty seconds of entering this restaurant. I know you cross your right leg over your left leg when you're uncomfortable and your left leg over your right leg when you’re relaxed. I know you still drink green tea every morning, and I know…” he paused, leaning over the table, “…you’ve awakened every morning for the last week with your fingers stroking your wet pussy lips remembering what it feels like when I’m balls deep inside you. I know that last part because I’ve had the same problem.” He finally sat back in his chair is eyes still on mine, challenging me to deny his words.
    I wanted to refute him. To tell him to get over himself, but it took everything in me to stabilize my heart rate and the ache between my legs his words caused. Thankfully, we were soon interrupted by the waitress. At the same time, my phone beeped alerting that I had a text message.
    “I’ll have the tenderloin of veal…” Li ordered,
    I looked down and saw a message from Nathaniel:
    I’m in DC for the next few weeks. Care to come up for a visit. I’ll make it worth your while *wiggles eyebrows*
    I smirked. Sometimes I wished I could just want something more with Nate.
    Me : I would but I can’t.
    I gave a short response because I rarely explained myself to anyone.
    Nate: Are you sure? You’re passing up the opportunity to spend time with GQ’s Bachelor of the Year.
    That actually caused me to laugh out loud a little. Nate could be very charming, and any woman would be lucky to be in his sights. But I was not any woman. I obviously had problems.
    Me: I’m sure. I’m out of town working a case. Maybe next time.
    Nate: Suit yourself, but I told you I’m not giving up on us.
    I shook my head at that last comment. I hadn’t actually seen Nate since the last time I was in DC, but we’d talked a few times and exchanged emails. I exited my text messages and placed my phone on the table and looked up to a pair of scowling, emerald eyes.
    “I ordered you the scallops,” he informed me, knowing my love of seafood.
    “Thank you.”
    “Who the hell was that?” he asked through clenched teeth.
    I didn’t repeat myself. Not even to Liam Bennett. “Excuse you?”
    “That was Nate wasn’t it?” Liam asked, refusing to back down.
    “Who is texting me on the phone that I pay the bill on is none of your business.” I didn’t know who the hell he thought he was—wait, that was a lie. I knew exactly who he thought he was. He was the same Liam I’d always known.
    “You’re still talking to him?” he asked as if he didn’t even hear what I’d just told him.
    I rolled my eyes, exasperated. “Liam, let it go. We’re not here to talk about who’s texting me. Did you bring Larry’s laptop?” I attempted to steer the conversation away from the personal to the professional. This whole situation had gotten away from me. Especially considering what happened in his office earlier and the direction of the discussion before our waitress and Nate interrupted.
    “I have it.” He sighed. After a few more moments of glaring at me, he finally pulled out the laptop and opened it. “I haven’t opened it since I received it this morning,” he advised.
    It took a little while to figure out Larry’s password, which turned out to be his fiancé’s birth date. Once in, we looked through his work files. Everything seemed normal until we came