Page 50 of Bidding War

He sits back, intrigued. Like I just threw the gauntlet. Shit. “Now, see, I don’t think that’s a thing. That’s just something girls say when they’re not interested.”

“Some might take that as a hint.”

He laughs hard at that. “Never been good at hints.”

This guy is getting on my last nerve. After last night, my tolerance for pushy men is negative a thousand. I want to threaten him with what happened to the last man who bothered me. But that’s a recipe for disaster, and I am smarter than that. “Do you need food or a beverage?’

“No, I?—"

“Then have a nice night.” I turn my back on him and work the other end of my side of the bar. Kelsey knows what that means, so he takes over with that guy to keep him from bothering me. My boss is the brother I always wanted. I know what they say about jobs that talk about their work families. Work isn’t where your family is, blah, blah, blah. But if I could pick a work family member, it’d be him.

-

27

JUNE

Throughout the rush, Anderson stays in his corner booth, still scrolling or reading or whatever on his phone. His presence is reassuring in the extreme. Every time I look his way, I feel better. Not that Kelsey would ever let anything happen to me at work, but it’s definitely not the same thing as having my boyfriend watch over me.

After everything we have gone through, it would be easy to think of myself or us as cursed. The past few months have been the most tumultuous time of my adult life. The thing is, even if we are cursed, even if the universe is trying to tell us we shouldn’t be together, I don’t fucking care at all.

Anderson West is mine. I am his. End of discussion.

When I see his profile in the low bar lights, my breath catches in my raw throat. He’s so handsome that it’s hard to think about anything other than our day in bed. And in the shower. And in the kitchen. We pretty much banged in my entire apartment today on each available surface. Every step I take is a reminder of our athletics.

Good thing I can do my job on autopilot on a sex hangover.

I love that he’s willing to just hang out without me talking to him, all so he can watch over me. It’s so sweet of him, and I know it comes from a place of love. Anderson would never try to control me or manipulate me. He’s not that guy. I feel so safe with him.

The fact he followed me around for a little while? Water under the bridge. In the grand scheme of things, it’s nothing.

His father, on the other hand, will be a challenge. I’m sure of that. He’s done nothing but attempt to insert himself between us. I don’t look forward to dealing with him again.

Except, I also kind of do look forward to it. Elliot West is a challenge, and after last night, I know I can take him on. I have survived worse than him, and I will keep surviving.

Having Anderson near and staying busy for hours also helps keep the Neil thoughts at bay. He had a cornfed, Midwestern thing about him, and thankfully, that is not a common look in Boston, so I don’t see too many guys who remind me of him. Whenever my thoughts veer in that direction, I steal a glance at Anderson and feel better in an instant.

We hit a lull, so Kelsey starts everyone’s breaks. Since I was late, mine is short. Fair enough. I duck into the bathroom fast so I don’t waste the whole break in there. While inside, I check my phone out of habit.

Lo and behold, I have an email I never expected. Reading the name on it stops my heart and mind all at once. Andre Moeller. The man who kidnapped me sent me an email. What in the ever-loving fuck is going on?

I read the name a hundred times. There is no legitimate reason for my kidnapper to email me. None at all. He stole me—rather, he had me stolen on his own behalf—in order to get Elliot’s attention regarding a debt Elliot owes him. I was nothing more than a pawn between those two men. It is obscene for him to reach out to me. I should just erase the email and forget it ever happened.

I’m shaking from just reading his name. I am certainly not about to do him the courtesy of reading his email. The bastard had me threatened at knife point, tied into a van, dragged to some frightening basement, and tied to a chair, all before making me eat a meal with him and having a seemingly civilized conversation with him. The man is an absolute sociopath. I knew it from the first ten minutes of our conversation. It was bizarre and messy, and I never want to see that man again. Especially after he had his goons lob me into a trunk for transport after that. During the whole ride to our destination, I was certain I was going to die. They were going to shoot me or dump the car into a body of water, and I’d drown. Utterly terrorizing.

Instead, Anderson was there to take me home. But the point stands. He gave me the scariest twenty-four hours of my life. I owe Andre nothing.

So, why in the hell would he email the woman he kidnapped? I’m starting to feel like the cat that curiosity killed. If I open an email, what’s the worst that can happen? My phone gets a virus. Big whoop.

I huff at myself and open the email.

Job Opportunity—Lawyer.

Hello, June. I am sure I need no introduction. I wanted to reach out regarding a unique position within my organization. It is my belief you are the perfect candidate for the role. Your credentials and your resume tell me of your capabilities. I need a good lawyer like you.

Your situation has made you the black sheep of your industry, but I find black sheep are the best workers, and considering who has made you into one, a collaboration could be mutually beneficial. I need someone of your talents, and you strike me as the kind of woman who would want revenge. Professionally speaking, of course.

If you are interested, my contact information is included here. We can arrange an interview as soon as possible. I look forward to hearing from you soon. –Andre”

---