Page 24 of The Companion Love Trap

My day with Jace had been a lot of fun, and I was sad when it ended. He’d had Ferro and Peter package all my clothes, sending me home only with one outfit to wear tomorrow. After lunch, we’d gone shopping for shoes and accessories and ended the day at a salon where I’d gotten the full PTA treatment—pits, tits, and ass.

A wax, trim, and blowout later, we both got facials and mani/pedis, ensuring every fluffy and cellulite inch of me had been buffed and polished. I hadn’t felt this fresh and pampered in a long time. Not since before I’d left home.

The thought of home and everything it represented dulled my excitement, so I pushed it away, focusing on the job at hand. Which currently entailed memorizing the binder that Jace had sent with me to study.

With my next week covered, I’d used my tip money to get a hotel room for the night, not wanting to sleep on another miserable lumpy couch. Lounging in my pajamas with a glass of box wine—ssh, it wasn’t that bad—I flipped open the first page and landed on a picture of Kieran with his stats.

His blond hair looked soft enough to run my fingers through, and his blue eyes were so light they reminded me of the sky after a storm. His jaw was peppered with blond stubble, barely noticeable it was so fair but still covered some of the freckles on his face.

There was no doubt this man was attractive. And based on the details next to his picture, he was 6’4”, from Ireland, and thirty-five. Thinking about his Irish accent as he stared at me with those piercing blue eyes had me shifting my legs together.

“Okay, girl. Calm down. It’s just a picture,” I muttered as I scanned over the rest of the data.

Apparently, he liked music, hated people, and spent time snorkeling when he wasn’t busy creating the next big technology gadget. Turning the page to a list of the things he’d been part of, I almost spit out my cheap wine all over the page.

“No freaking way,” I cursed.

Not only had he been behind the neurodivergent earplugs I loved, but he’d also created wearable glasses for blind people that used sonic waves to help them hear their surroundings.

“So you’re a grumpy genius recluse. How did you and Jace become friends?”

I’d admit that despite Jace being more my type on paper, something about Kieran called to me. His eyes held a history that spoke of pain but also beautiful joy. I wanted to know what they both were, and I couldn’t deny the thought of pushing his buttons appealed to me. This man didn’t share how he felt with others, so discovering would be a reward all on its own. And I liked the challenge.

I skimmed the following page; the details of the schools he’d attended and what studies were not nearly as entertaining. It listed like a spoiled rich kid’s CV, so I wasn’t as interested in knowing those details.

Been there, done that. Had the emotional scars to prove it.

My phone buzzed as I refilled my wine, trying to make sense of all the investors and who I’d need to impress. Flicking my eyes to it, a bolt of dopamine hit me at the name, quickly followed by anxiety. I was such a mess.

Cruz: Hey, Meu Tudo.

Cruz: How was your day?

Everly: New phone. Who dis?

I snorted, unable to stop myself. Plus, sarcasm was always my defense mechanism. When Cruz became too perfect, I had to shake him up a bit.

Yeah, right. He’s the one shaken. Keep telling yourself that.

Cruz: Do you have many people who call you Meu Tudo?

Cruz: Here, I’ll remind you.

Cruz: *pic attached*

I sucked in a breath as I took in his abs, his bronze skin on display and covered in tattoos. The dark hair curled just above his waistband. What I wouldn’t give for him to go a little lower.

Bad Everly. Do not engage with the sexy temptation. Must study. Yes.

Shaking my head, I took a deep breath and gulped down the last of my wine.

Everly: Hmm, I’ve seen better.

Cruz: Bullshit.

Cruz: We both know you’re lying, Meu Tudo. But it’s okay.

Cruz: Stay the night with me?

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