Page 29 of The Shadow

My heart feels as if it’s trying to beat out of my chest. The anxiety that would normally be burning through my stomach right now has been replaced with adrenaline and excitement.

The woman I love.

The statement repeats over and over in my brain, followed by the reminder that this isn’t actually my life.

He stands up from the barstool, grabbing his suit coat and hastily pulling it on. “I don’t have to explain to you about NDAs and confidential company information, Mr. Ransom, now do I?” It’s clear he’s trying to send a message to Harvey.

“Call me crazy, but I can’t recall a single time when it was necessary for a CEO to come to the private residence of his senior security analyst for a favor. Sorry”—he smirks—“to discuss confidential company information.”

“The around-the-clock protection starts tomorrow, right?” Connor says after pulling open my front door. “Looks like you better get an early night.”

“Starts Monday actually,” Harvey adds. He freezes, the door halfway closed. His spine stiffens, anger radiating off him as he turns to look back at him. “We have a party tomorrow, can’t miss it.” Without another word, he slams the door behind him.

“That’s not good.”

“The around-the-clock thing? Don’t worry about it. We’re all working shifts. It won’t be just me.”

“Not that,” I say, shaking my head. “The fact that he just let you win like that and walked out. He never does that and I mean never, not even with the board of directors. He always gets his way.”

“Well.” Harvey releases my waist and steps back from me. “It’s a little late in life to finally learn the word no, but I think it’s about time he learns another valuable lesson; there are consequences to always getting your way.”

The second I look back at Harvey and see the relaxed confidence of a man whom I know will protect me, my shoulders relax and I let out a sigh of relief.

“Thank you, for being here.”

“You’re welcome.” He comes to stand right in front of me, and I tilt my head, looking up at him. “It’s late and you’re tired. But if that ever happens again, him coming by when I’m not here, don’t answer it.”

“I won’t.”

Please stay.

I want to beg him but he wasn’t hired to protect me. He was hired to do a job that I’m already interfering in by telling him about the planned financial fraud Connor has involved me in and his attempt to blackmail me.

“And if you are scared or can’t sleep, I’ll just be right next door. You can always call me if you can’t sleep.”

“Can you stay?” I finally ask.

“I can,” he says calmly, “but we both know that wouldn’t be a good idea.”

“Why not?”

He laughs, shaking his head and stepping away from me. “You’re something else, you know that? So sweet,” he mutters, his eyes lazily drifting down my body, “so disarmingly tempting.” He’s second-guessing his decision; I can see it written all over his face as he runs his hand along his jaw.

“What did you mean when you said a man like you? You said I wasn’t ready for a man like you.”

His eyes are heavy-lidded, his expression no longer laughing or smiling.

“Sleep well and I mean it. Call me if you can’t sleep.” He turns and grabs the door handle.

“Tell me,” I demand. He doesn’t flinch or hesitate.

“Because I’ve got a big cock and a voracious appetite, sweetheart.” He winks at me. “Good night, Aspen.”

I float back to my bedroom, falling back against the mattress. I stare up at the ceiling, Harvey’s crass words stirring something inside me. My body aches from the inside where his fingers were the night before. I close my eyes, sliding my hand down my body and up beneath my dress. My fingers dance across my panties, teasing me through them like he did. I try to touch myself the way that he did, teasing my clit in small circular motions but it only increases my frustration.

Giving up, I head to the shower. I try to distract myself with taking extra long, scrubbing every inch of my body, shaving, applying a hair mask and letting it marinate for twice the five-minute recommendation… but it’s no use.

My thoughts are consumed by him.

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