The way her stomach churned now was in response to his kiss. Not because she kissed him while plotting to steal his possessions.
And maybe if she told herself that enough times, she might actually start to believe it.
She’d gained a little of his trust and entrance to his home for the time being. Just a few more minutes—with another tiny sliver of trust erected—and she’d start to evaluate how to make gains from this situation. She had to. He had all of this, and she had nothing more than the clothes on her back. She hated this life, but she hated starving even more.
The moment she had the chance to repay him, she would. Either that or donate money to charity in his name. Ten years ago, if someone had asked her if she’d ever steal from someone, she would have scoffed indignantly. Knowing she’d never call herself a thief.
Ten years was a long time ago though. Since then, she’d eaten out of garbage dumpsters, had to sleep beneath overpasses and went days without showering or brushing her teeth. Just because she could work the system a little better now, snagging spots at homeless shelters and burying her pride long enough to accept hand-outs, didn’t mean she couldn’t use the extra money when it surrounded her on all sides. Like it did now.
Pushing away from Bast took a little more effort than it should have and she didn’t know if it was the man or what he represented that she clung to more. “Whoa,” she said after blowing out a breath. The man knew how to kiss. For sure.
His eyes were dark with promise. “You okay?”
The way her heart fluttered did not inspire confidence, but she nodded. Time to get him to show off. If she prodded just the right way, he’d want to display his wealth. That’s what men like him did. Women like her took advantage.
“It’s a little overwhelming.”
Bast frowned. “It?”
“You. Your home. Everything. It’s been great.” A quick glance to the side. Bashful. “Thank you.”
By stepping away, he took a little of the oxygen with him. “Come on. Let me give you a quick tour.”
“In case I stay more than a night?”
He hesitated before grinning. “So you don’t accidentally set off the alarm.”
By the end of the tour, her sense of direction remained challenged and yet she stood very impressed. His house echoed the owner: tasteful in an understated manner. A man’s home. She couldn’t help notice the lack of family pictures, or even pictures of Bast himself. There was nothing in the place that spoke of personalization. That the house belonged to him. It could have been anyone’s place of residence, and she would have been none the wiser.
Alice cleared her throat. “You have a lovely home.” So many nice things. Things she would never be able to afford on her own, not in this lifetime or another. “I’m surprised you live here by yourself.”
She’d taken note of every electronic device, which ones were portable. Estimated street value for some. It was almost a shame a woman with expensive taste in jewelry didn’t live here. Despite the prep work, without being left alone and handed some sort of map, it would be difficult to relieve Bast of some of his possessions. It wouldn’t stop her from trying to get something small. Something her conscience wouldn’t beat on her too badly about.
His insurance would cover the losses, no matter what she took. One day, when she was back on her feet, she’d mail him back the money, she reminded herself. That thought soothed some of her guilt. Just some though.
He paused before speaking, his attention drifting toward the front door just down the hall. A slight tilt of his head followed. “I live a hard life. Long hours, even longer—”
Ascending and descending chimes surrounded them from all sides. The sound of a doorbell, intrusive yet soothing. Despite herself, Alice started at the noise.
After a quick glance at his watch, Bast grumbled, “Stay here.”
She wasn’t wearing a watch, but it had to be somewhere around three or four in the morning. Who the hell was showing up at this man’s place at this time of the night? He didn’t seem particularly surprised. More annoyed.
He said he wasn’t a drug dealer, nor did he do anything illegal for a living.