East End (Hear No Evil Trilogy #1) - Nana Malone Page 0,41
bad idea. The problem was that my dick liked that idea very, very much.
Nyla
The afternoon following my roll in the grass with the billionaire, I glanced up at the London Lords building and whistled under my breath. The office was connected to the hotel and had the same bold contemporary style. Glass, chrome, and elegance.
Are we really going to do this?
Looked like it. Because despite my best efforts this was the case I had, and East Hale was my best lead. So I could walk in there and deal with him. Pretend like the previous night hadn’t happened. Act like I didn’t know his taste or how he kissed.
Easy.
Right.
Stepping into London Lords, I got that feeling of understated yet opulent wealth. The London Lords Soho wasn’t the place you went on staycation. It wasn’t something the average Londoner or tourist could afford. You had to be well and truly monied to enjoy a place like this.
While the building was chrome and steel, there was a distinct elegance about it. Perhaps it was the décor and the lighting, but there was a warmth to it. Like you were instantly welcomed, and why would you ever want to leave?
Maybe it was the artwork on the walls. Maybe it was the plush carpeting under my stacked-heel boots. Everything about the place exuded the wealth of the London Lords.
"Very nice, Mr. Hale," I murmured to myself. This was my third visit to the offices, and I couldn’t help but feel as if I’d missed my calling. I should have been a billionaire.
Next life maybe. I’d like to think I would do billionaire right, but knew I’d somehow still insist on keeping my job. Bad guys always had a way of leaving a bad taste in your mouth. There was no way I’d be able to rub elbows with them. The corruption would drive me mad.
The elevator dinged and slowed to a stop. When the doors opened, I stepped out into the top floor of the London Lords offices. And while I was used to going left to speak to Bennett Covington and the women who worked for him, Olivia Ashong and Jessa Ainsley, this time I went right. Because this time I was going to see a different billionaire altogether.
When I was shown into East Hale's office, I had to bite back my gasp. Two walls of his office were completely glass. It looked like we were sitting on a ledge overlooking London.
East Hale strode out of some sort of office chamber or something, perhaps a bathroom, and my breath caught. Charcoal Briony suit. Moss green tie to bring out the color in his yes. Crisp white shirt. And his hair. Lord, his hair was messily styled but so artful that it couldn’t be by accident. It was pure mussed sex hair. I had to work hard at the whole in-out even breathing thing.
"Agent Kincade, what a delightful surprise. It’s almost like you knew I was thinking about you." He shook my hand. His grasp was warm, firm, and completely enveloped my hand. The spark of electricity stung my palm, and I swallowed hard. I didn't jerk my hand away though. Just waited patiently for him to release me. When he did, a slow, smug smile lit that perfectly full mouth. He felt it too, and the idiot wanted to remind me about just how close we’d come to shagging alfresco.
I took a seat, but instead of doing the same, East leaned on the edge of his desk instead of sitting behind it. Was it a power play? It had to be, because he made it very difficult for me to concentrate. "Mr. Hale, why don't you take a seat?”
“I’m good here. Besides I like flirting with trouble.”
“I’m not the one who’s trouble.”
A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips. “Aren’t you? You’re the entire reason I didn’t sleep a wink last night. If I can unsettle you just a little, payback will be complete.” His gaze searched mine and he licked his lips. “I must admit, I didn’t think I’d be seeing you again so soon, but I am delighted. I have a bet with myself that you can’t possibly taste as good as I’m remembering.”
The way he spoke to me, Christ. I felt like I was an ice-cream he wanted to lick. My skin was prickly hot, but I refused to look away from him. I had a job to do and I needed him to answer a few questions.