Page 26 of Desire
I foldedmy arms. “I’m surprised you don’t know anything about the gala. You knew I was in New York. You also knew I was here. Are you paying someone to follow me?”
“Yes,” he answered without the slightest hesitation.
My mouth fell open, and a breath escaped me. “You told the truth.”
“I will always tell you the truth if you ask.”
“Then why are you having me followed?”
He stepped closer. “You really don’t know the answer to that question?”
Our lips were so close that I wished he would kiss me. “Yes, I know it. Valentine,” I whispered.
“He knows you’re in Manhattan and believes you’re here for me.”
“But I’m not here for you.”
A flash of desire lit his eyes. “No?”
I shook my head. “I have a new job.”
“Job?”
“A newsshow, BCN…” I shook my head out of frustration because I couldn’t remember the name of it.
“I see. Where’s the gala?”
Shit, I felt like he’d injected me with obedience serum by simply standing so close and using such a confident voice.
“I don’t know,” I said. “A car is supposed to take me to the event. I never asked for the address, but it’s the Gold Star Gala.”
Henodded softly.
I was still waiting for him to kiss me. But then I remembered the allegations against Christmas Industries, and I knew it was time to say something. However, he took a step back, leaving my lips lonely.
“Um, Jasper. I—”
My cell phone chimed, and I looked over at the phone, which sat on the nightstand. It must’ve been Kylie.
“Shit,” I said under my breath.“I’m late.”
“Late for what?” Jasper asked.
“Lunch with Kylie.”
“Kylie Roberson?”
“Yes,” I said impatiently.
My device kept ringing. I was torn between answering it and enlightening Jasper about the allegations against his company. He had already put on his coat.
“Where are you going?” I asked.
“We’ll talk soon,” he said and walked out of the room.
The phone became quiet.
“Shit.” I rushed to the console to call Kylie back. I frowned at the number of the missed call. It was unrecognizable but had a local area code. Since Jasper was more than likely long gone, I listened to the message.
