Page 15 of Whispered Desire

“It's not mine; it's yours.” My eyes roll heavenward where a thick canopy of bare branches form a gloomy barrier to the sky above.

What is wrong with this woman?

She should be overjoyed by her new financial freedom. Most women love to shop. They buy fancy trinkets and expensive clothing as status symbols. And while Allison may not be a socialite, she's still a woman. I find it hard to believe there isn’t something she wants. Something money can easily purchase.

“Fine,mymoney,” she acquiesces, an indignant spark lighting her eyes. It’s the first time a glimmer of annoyance has revealed itself, proving she’s not all terrified glances and uneasy breaths. “Despite your email, I’ve been skeptical that it’s real, which has made me hold off on spending more of it. But as far as the apartment, it would be a waste of money to pay the fee to break the lease when I can stick it out for a couple more months.”

“Are you serious right now? An extra thousand or two to get out of your lease is nothing compared to what you have.”

“Old habits die hard when you've struggled your entire life. I can't suddenly be okay with dropping a ton of cash when it's not necessary,” she grumbles, spearing me with a judgmental glare.

“How much?”

“What?”

I pull my phone out and draft a text to my accountant. “How. Much?”

“For what?”

“For you to feel comfortable ending the lease and moving somewhere better than this.” I wave a hand toward the shabby apartments. They’re not exactly derelict, but Allison can do better.

“Um… Nothing. There isn't a number.”

“Fine, I'll decide for myself.” I tell John to deposit another million dollars into her account immediately. A minute later, there's a ding, and she checks the notification.

“Are you freaking kidding me?” Her gaze lifts to meet mine. “You added more money.”

And I’ll add more if necessary.

“That should be enough to cover your reluctance to pay whatever the fee is. Why don’t you show me what the inside of these monstrosities look like?”

My return flight takes off in another hour. This impromptu trip was ill-advised.

I have a meeting with my lawyers concerning next steps with Petit Enterprises now that it’s under new ownership, but I can’t resist the opportunity to stay a little longer.

To steal another peek into her life.

Because the woman is a conundrum.

A Rubik’s cube of mystery.

It’s a damn shame I’m a fucking problem-solver or else I could let this inconvenient fascination go.

Allison laughs in disbelief. “You came here from god-knows-where to give me more money and judge my apartment? I'm the one who savedyourlife, remember? I should be the one calling the shots.”

That draws a chuckle from me. The idea of this woman running my life is beyond comprehension. “Fille folle… You'll learn soon enough that I'm the only one in control here. Hustle your cute ass back to the apartment, or find out exactly how far I'm willing to go to get what I want.”

Like tossing her over my shoulder and hauling her upstairs myself.

Being careful of her recent injuries, of course.

It shouldn’t matter what her apartment looks like. It won’t be her home for much longer, but I want to learn more about Allison. Maybe the interior will offer clues to explain her strange behavior.

She shuffles backward, darting a worried glance between me and the apartment building.Ah, my scared little rabbit is back.“Now’s not a good time. You heard the dogs. They don’t like strangers.”

“They’ll learn to like me.” My hand drops to the small of her back to push her in the direction of the stairs. Her shoulders slump in defeat, and whatever frustration that flared to life earlier evaporates like it never existed.

Gone is her previous stance of defiance.

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