Page 32 of By His Rule

“S-sorry. That was…” She waves her comment off and exits the elevator as it stops on her floor. “I would say thank you for delivering me home, but it wasn’t enjoyable, and it was totally unnecessary, so…yeah. Have a nice life and enjoy your crabby booty call.”

She angrily pushes the key in the lock and throws the door to her apartment open.

She immediately swings it closed again, proving her need to put an end to our time together, but before it slams in my face, I lift my hand and catch it.

“Lorelei?” I ask, loving the way she pauses the moment I say her name. Just like she did on the sidewalk earlier.

For such a fiercely independent woman, she sure likes following orders.

“What?” she snaps, risking a glance over her shoulder.

I hesitate for a moment, wondering why I thought it was a good idea to stop her retreat.

Curiosity, I guess.

“You were right.”

She stands a little taller, shocked by my words.

“Really?”

“Yeah, your ex-boss is an asshole. Getting fired was probably the best thing that could happen to you.”

“Could you call my landlord and maybe explain that to him? My credit card company too?”

One side of my mouth kicks up in a smirk. “Everything happens for a reason, Lorelei. As one door closes, another opens. You just have to be ready to embrace the challenges.”

“Well, thanks for that nugget of life-changing advice. Now, if you’re done, I’ve got a date with someone who is way more entertaining than you.”

Spinning back around, she wraps her fingers around the door handle and attempts to push it closed.

“What?” she snaps.

“I think we both know that your vibrator can’t do the things I can do.”

“Goodnight, Mr. Callahan.” This time when she attempts to close the door on me, I let her.

The second it’s closed, she double-locks it as if she’s worried about me forcing my way back inside.

With a smile playing on my lips, I back up toward the elevator.

“Until next time, Temptress,” I muse.

I descend through the building with the scent of her perfume surrounding me, before rejoining Lewis outside.

“You look pleased with yourself,” Lewis muses as I approach.

“Entertaining evening.”

“You don’t say,” he mutters. “She’s really something, huh?”

“Yeah,” I agree, running the events of the day through my head as I climb into the back of the car.

Pulling my cell from my pocket, I stare at the screen. Any amusement I was feeling withers when I see a whole stream of messages since the first one she sent earlier.

Sasha: Too much work and no play makes Kian a very stressed boy.

I groan, letting my head fall back against the seat as Lewis drops into the driver’s seat.

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