Page 60 of Unleashed

“I do.” His answer came quicker than expected.

I raised my eyebrows, my tone teasing. “So you are a stalker!”

Michael chuckled, shaking his head. “It was on your paperwork for hire. I assure you, stalking isn’t my thing.”

I let out a low laugh, rolling my eyes. “You can drive me if you behave.”

He leaned back, his lips pulling into a smirk. “Behave? What do you think I would do on the way? Spirit you off to some abandoned warehouse and have my way with you?” His eyes glinted with playful mischief, daring me to bite back.

A flash of heat crept up my neck, but I played it off, shooting him a mock glare. “As appealing as that sounds, no. I meant keep your mouth shut to my parents. I don’t want them knowing anything yet.” I crossed my arms, eyeing him with a serious expression.

Michael softened his grin. “I can always wait for you outside. I don’t have to go in.”

I tilted my head, considering. “And do what, exactly? Stare at the birds while you wait?”

“I have emails and other things to deal with. I don’t need to be there, hovering over you.” His hand waved dismissively, but I caught the flash of genuine respect in his tone.

“Fine,” I relented, sighing. “But I need to go home and change first.”

Michael stood, pulling his phone from his pocket. His fingers tapped away as he spoke. “I’ll have Winston take you home. I’ll pick you up in two hours. Is that enough time?”

“Perfect,” I said, already throwing the covers off and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “Now, if you’ll give me some privacy, I’d like to get dressed.”

He stepped closer before I could protest, his scent filling the space between us as he bent down to kiss my cheek. The warmth of his lips and the rough scrape of his stubble sent a shiver through me. “Winston will be waiting out front,” he murmured, his breath fanning across my skin. “I’ll see you in two hours.”

With that, he straightened up and strolled out of the room, leaving me alone with the lingering sensation of his touch, my heart thudding harder than it should.

“I can’t,Slade. I’m visiting my parents today.” I held the phone to my ear, trying to keep my voice steady as I pulled my sundress from the closet.

Slade’s voice, smooth as always, sighed through the speaker. “I haven’t seen you all week. Don’t you miss me?”

Of course I missed him. My fingers hesitated on the fabric for a moment before I forced myself to keep going. “I do, but this is important. I’ve been a horrible daughter.” I pulled the dress off the hanger, the weight of guilt pressing on me as I imagined my parents waiting.

“You’ve been busy,” he countered softly, as if sensing my inner turmoil. “They can’t fault you for that.”

I let out a small laugh, knowing he was right, but it didn’t make me feel any better. “They would never, but I still feel guilty. Maybe we can have dinner tonight if I get back early enough?”

“If not, can I still see you tonight?” His tone dropped lower, more urgent. “I need to see you.”

It was obvious what he wanted. I wanted it too, though I wouldn’t admit it aloud. My grip tightened on the phone, heat creeping up my neck. “I’ll call you when I get home. Maybe we can have a late dinner if I don’t eat with my parents.”

“I’d like that,” he replied, the heat in his voice unmistakable. “My bed was empty without you.”

I bit my lip, my pulse quickening despite myself. “I’m sure.” I took a deep breath, steadying my voice. “I’ll call you later.”

There was a pause before his voice softened again. “I love you, Morgan.”

My chest tightened, the words hanging in the air like a challenge. I wasn’t ready to respond the way he wanted. Not yet. “Goodbye, Slade,” I said, quickly ending the call before he could question my silence.

I dropped the phone onto the bed, my heart racing. Michael’s confession from last week still echoed in my mind, complicating everything. Two powerful, rich men chasing after me. It wasn’t a bad problem to have… but it sure made life messy.

I shook off the thought, focusing on getting ready. A quick shower later, I slipped into a white floral sundress with spaghetti straps, pairing it with white sandals. My mother always liked it when I dressed femininely. I tugged at the straps, adjusting them, and pulled my hair up into a ponytail. Makeup? Minimal. Mom always said I didn’t need any. But the truth was, a little makeup made me feel good, in control.

At 11:15 a.m., I made my way down to the lobby. Michael had told me to be ready by 11:30, but when I stepped outside, I spotted his red convertible BMW already parked two spaces down, gleaming in the sunlight. He stood next to it, tapping away on his phone, dressed in crisp white shorts and a Caribbean blue polo shirt. The casual look caught me off guard. No suit. No tie.

“You’re early,” I called out, walking toward him, my sandals clicking softly on the pavement.

Michael looked up from his phone, his lips quirking into a smile. “So are you. I was planning to head inside in a few minutes.”

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