Page 23 of Burning for You

“Alabaster, steel gray. How about his eyes? Be accurate, please,” Bear teases me. He sometimes calls me Lady Pantone.

“Arctic blue,” I say, mimicking the gaze of the man I’m visualizing at the moment.

“Hm.”

“He’s taller than me, a bit, and probably um… I suspect he’s younger than me, although I’m not sure by how much.”

Bear raises his eyes quizzically. “He doesn’t sound like the type who usually makes you radiant. Unless you’re ovulating.”

“Bear!”

“Just sayin’.”

“He’s so handsome, Bear,” I say.

Bear lets me deal with the fluff flying around my heart.

Not even trying to hide my concupiscence, I continue, “I was in his arms, so steady, so firm.” Just like how I prefer my mattress—the place where I crave to be right now. “I mean, my stomach was in knots, but my cheek was comfortably perched on his pec, and I could feel his biceps bulging against my waist.

“And, the thing is, the lights went out in that bathroom. It was pitch black, and I had a brief panic attack. He… held me and said I’d be okay, and just like that, I felt fine.”

Bear looks at me in disbelief.

Now the both of us are lost for words.

My phone rings, waking me and seemingly Bear, too. The invisible sphere containing everything Bryan soon bursts, and I’m back to reality.

“Mayor Benson,” I answer as Bear dismisses himself.

“Miss Meyer, congratulations. The Department of City Planning has approved the first phase of Project Good Neighbor.”

“Thank you, Mr. Mayor,” I say, clenching a fist of victory.

“You will have our support, but you need to guarantee the cash injection, and that you’ll be at the helm. I believe your takeover of the company is still going ahead?”

My breath hitches. “Yes. We’re finalizing the details.”

As soon as I hang up, I dial a number.

“Dad,” I say, followed by a long pause. “I’ve made my decision.”

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