A Heart to Trust by A.L. Brooks (best english novels to read .TXT) 📕

He nodded, then held open the heavy wooden door for them.

“Bye, Marcus,” Olivia said as Jenny tugged her past him. “Have a nice night.”

Marcus chuckled behind them. “You too, Mrs. Sinclair.”

Mrs. Sinclair. She’s married, remember? So stop thinking about how wonderful her hand feels in yours and how cute she is right now.

They walked over to the elevators, or rather, Jenny walked and Olivia schlepped along beside her, clinging to Jenny’s hand the whole way. Even when the elevator arrived, Olivia wouldn’t let go.

After stepping inside the car, Jenny made sure Olivia was balanced against the handrail. “Which floor?”

“Top.” Olivia grinned. “Can see the sky.”

Of course, it would be the penthouse. Just how much money has your husband got?

“I’m so hungry.” Olivia smacked her lips.

“I’m not surprised. You got some bread or something else quick and easy you could eat?”

“Peanut butter!” Olivia threw her arms up. “I love peanut butter.”

“Great idea. Peanut butter sandwich.”

Olivia placed her fingers on Jenny’s cheek. Given how drunk she was, the touch was surprisingly careful and gentle, and Jenny’s breath caught in her throat at the serious look Olivia sent her way. “Thank you. For looking after me. Feels nice.” Olivia sighed. “Long time since a woman looked after me. Miss it so much.”

Huh?

The elevator dinged its arrival at the top floor.

“Home!” Olivia dropped her hand from Jenny’s face and lurched away from the handrail. She pushed out the doors as they opened, bumping against them and laughing as she stumbled through the ever-widening gap.

Jenny hovered behind her, ready to catch her if she fell; her mind whirled from what Olivia had just said. What the hell did she mean, misses a woman looking after her?

The front door to Olivia’s apartment was a few feet down the hallway from the elevator, on the opposite wall. A quick glance told Jenny there were actually two top-floor apartments, as a second door was situated farther down the hallway in the other direction. Okay, so you don’t live on the entire floor. That’s something, I guess.

Olivia leaned sideways against the wall next to her door and opened her purse. “Keys.” She fumbled around inside the purse.

“Here, let me.” Jenny pulled Olivia’s hands back.

Olivia held them up in surrender. “Take it, it’s all yours.”

Jenny swallowed. “Just need the keys, that’s all.” She tried to grin, but she had trouble working her facial muscles—everything about the last half hour and her reactions to it scrambled her responses.

Her fingers closed on a set of keys and she pulled them out. There were only three, so by process of elimination, it only took thirty seconds to find the right one and fit it in the lock.

“Ta-da!” Olivia cried as the door swung open. “Like magic.”

Jenny rolled her eyes. “It’s just keys, Olivia. Come on, in you go.” She ushered Olivia into the apartment, while she herself remained standing on the doormat outside.

Olivia swayed into her home and finally found a light switch on the wall after three attempts. The illumination revealed a bright, modern space with some stunning small pieces of artwork hung on the walls. Olivia walked a few more paces down the hallway, then turned and looked back over her shoulder.

Jeez, she’s beautiful. The soft lights in the ceiling sent a glow downwards that cast sultry shadows over Olivia’s gorgeous body.

“You’re still outside.” Olivia’s head tilted. “Why?”

“I should be getting home.” No way am I stepping through this door. I don’t think I trust myself right now with you looking the way you do. “Now I know you’re safe, it’s time for me to leave.”

A sad smile twisted Olivia’s mouth. “I guess.” She kicked off her sandals, then she weaved her way back toward Jenny. When she reached her, Olivia pouted. “Don’t go.”

Jenny’s heart lurched and her stomach tightened. “I really should.”

Olivia stepped closer and stared up at Jenny, who was a couple inches taller now that Olivia had removed her sandals. “Your eyes,” Olivia said, her own eyes narrowing, the hazel darkening to a soft brown, “are so beautiful.”

“Th-thank you.” Holy crap, what was happening here?

“You are beautiful.” Olivia licked her lips.

“Olivia.” The word came out as a hoarse whisper.

Olivia leaned in a little farther.

Jenny’s phone pinged from inside her jacket pocket.

They both jumped.

Olivia’s eyes went wide as she took a step back. “I…” She cleared her throat. “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that.”

She took a few more steps back. She didn’t seem quite so drunk now, as if a veil had been lifted on her consciousness and everything she’d said or done in the last while had been revealed to her. “Please forget that, okay?” She bit her bottom lip. “Please forget everything I said.”

She looked so fearful, Jenny couldn’t consider arguing. Besides, forgetting all of the last half hour was definitely a good idea. She and Olivia? Yeah, bizarre concept.

“I’ll see you on Monday.” Jenny moved away from the door, feeling hot and cold all at once and desperate to get out of there. “Hope the hangover’s not too bad tomorrow.”

Olivia pursed her lips. “I’ll drink lots of water. Promise.”

They stared at each other for a moment longer, then Olivia deliberately, slowly, closed the door between them.

Chapter 15

By the time Jenny and Carl met up with Tamara and Roz in the park Saturday at lunchtime, Jenny had almost managed to stop thinking about everything that had happened with Olivia the night before. But the memories of Olivia’s words and touches had kept Jenny awake long past midnight.

Carl had arrived home from Solomon’s at a little after eleven this morning, and Jenny had slapped on her happy face and acted as if the company party the night before was the best thing ever. He’d quirked one eyebrow at her, suggesting he saw right through her, but hadn’t said anything.

All four of them spread the two blankets on the ground. Carl and Roz bounded away to play frisbee while Jenny and Tamara laid out food and