Page 63 of You Rock My World
Josie
As long as no one’s breaching
I chuckle but don’t take the bait.
Dorian
Call me when you’re under the covers
Josie
Aye aye *military salute emoji*
I put the phone down and pace the room to shake off the restless energy buzzing under my skin. She’ll call any second, and somehow that makes me feel like I’ve got everything and nothing under control.
30
JOSIE
I thought the weekend was going to suck, but with the text flirting, phone calls, and late-night reading sessions, it’s been surprisingly romantic. The pull between Dorian and me doesn’t waver, or need permission, or care how many miles or walls stand in its way.
As I park at his house on Monday morning and exit the car, my steps are lighter. Buoyant, even, despite everything that happened Friday night with Billie. The good mood carries me past the grand foyer, through the familiar hallway, right up to his home office—where it crashes headfirst into an invisible wall.
Something’s wrong.
The atmosphere inside is tight. Not the entire team is present. Only Tessa, Bailey, and Dorian’s lawyer sit stiffly at the table. And Nick is here. I almost missed him, standing guard by the door, still and imposing as if sculpted in stone or marble since his skin looks so flawless.
“Hi,” I say cautiously.
Dorian lifts his head, making me forget about the tension simmering in the room as he smiles at me in that slow, intimate, only-for-me way that speeds up my pulse faster than a triple espresso shot. But under the smile, his jaw is tight. His shoulders tense.
“What’s going on?” I ask, sitting in my usual spot across from Dorian.
Tessa exchanges a look with the lawyer, then says, “We’re discussing Friday night.”
Ah, Billie’s home invasion. I keep my face carefully neutral, determined to sell the “business dinner” story Dorian concocted as our cover.
Tessa turns to Marcia. “Is there really nothing we can do legally?”
“If you can convince him.” The lawyer sighs as if she knows she’s about to deliver a losing argument. “The best course of action would be to file a restraining order.”
“You really should,” Tessa presses, turning to Dorian.
“I said I won’t do it.” He slams a fist on the table. “Even if Billie crossed a line, I wouldn’t call the police on my wife.” A beat, then a guilty side glance at me. “Myex-wife.”
“I hate what she fucking does to you.” It’s the first time I hear Tessa lose her professional composure, but I couldn’t agree more. I loathe seeing Dorian like this—torn, caged, a little lost. “But I won’t let you take it out on me.”
“I’m sorry, Tess, I didn’t mean to snap. You know she drives me up the wall.”
I’m learning it too and hate how easily Billie can drag him into her chaos. But even more, I recoil at the question ofwhyhis ex still affects him so much.
That voice in my head, the one I’ve been trying to quiet since Friday, is getting louder, screaming the obvious: that it’s because he’s still in love with her—or at least with the person she was when they met. It’s the only logical explanation. And no matter what my heart wants, how long can I ignore the warnings?
“You get one pass.” Tessa stands, smoothing out her blazer. “I’ll ask Alfred for one of his famous vanilla lattes.” She scans the room. “Anyone want anything?”
I’d love a latte. But Tessa is being a little scary right now. I’m afraid she’d chew my head off if I asked her to bring me a coffee even if she’s offered.
As if reading my hesitation, Dorian smirks and tells her to please get lattes for everyone. His eyes flick to me as Tessa leaves, and he gives me a small nod, silently confirming that yes, the lattes are for me. I mouth a quick, “Thank you.”
