Page 131 of Whispered Sins

For a second I thought it might be Heart.

“Who is it?” I asked hopefully.

“Ms. Shipley,” she said.

I sighed.

Half of me wanted to send her away, while the other wanted to make it perfectly clear to her that we were nothing. That we were never going to be. As if I hadn’t tried that before.

“Send her up,” I said reluctantly.

A few minutes later, the elevator doors opened and I saw Kiera standing there in a long champagne gown and a fur stole around her shoulders. Her neck was dripping in diamonds. She stepped off the elevator carefully in her strappy heels that she seemed unsteady in.Probably tipsy from champagne,I thought.

“Daniel,” she said, spotting me sitting on the couch and not bothering to get up to greet her.

“Kiera,” I said, my voice clipped.

She stepped down into the living room and stopped at the edge of the couch. She crossed her arms and pouted as she looked down at me. She looked ridiculous. Like a grown baby. I tried hard not to laugh.

“What is it Kiera?” I rolled my eyes.

“Where were you tonight?”

“Where was I supposed to be?” I asked innocently.

“The Angel Ball. Duh.”

“Oh that…” I replied dryly.

“Yeah.That. We were supposed to be there together.”

“I don’t remember that agreement.”

“You always go,” she whined.

“I didn’t feel like it tonight.” I shrugged.

She sat down on the other end of the couch and removed her stole, revealing the top of her strapless dress. Her breasts looked like they were about to bust out. I shook my head. She would always try to dothisto get what she wanted.

“I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn,” she said, kicking off her heels and nuzzling her feet in my lap.

I gently lifted her ankles and pushed her aside.

“I don’t think I’m the one who’s being stubborn here,” I replied, raising an accusing eyebrow.

“Everyone wants us to be together. Have you seen the press? They’re gaga for us.”

“We had our shot, Kiera. You and your beloved press need to let it go.”

“Think about it, though. It would be good for your business.”

“How so?”

She put her hands up dramatically, as if she were spelling out the words.

“New York’s Most Eligible Bachelor is Finally Dropping His Playboy Reputation.”

“Wow. Sounds riveting,” I deadpanned.

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