Page 106 of L.O.V.E

“Shit. Sorry. The wind.” I realized I was still yelling, pulled a chunk of hair out of my lipstick, and asked, “What’s up?”

A hearty gust knocked me sideways. Caleb grabbed my arm to hold me steady.

Hair tangled in my glasses, and I pushed them on top of my head to help tame the strands.

He leaned closer, his grin smug. “We got the meeting.”

“What?”

“First thing tomorrow. Carlos Rossi was impressed.”

“Oh, my God. That’s great!” Inside, I squealed like a little girl. Outside I was… Oh, who was I kidding? I clapped my hands together and hopped on my toes. “This is great, right?”

“This is better than great, King. We land Rossi Enterprises, we quadruple our numbers for the year.” Hands to my shoulders, he laughed. “You’ll be head of your own division in no time.”

I could’ve floated away with the winter storm. Unable to contain my joy, I threw my arms around my boss and gave him a celebratory squeeze.

His reciprocation was quick and innocent, and before letting me go, he whispered in my ear, “Now go home and rest up. Big things happening tomorrow. Big things.”

His hands slid to my waist, brief and more fatherly than affectionate, blue eyes beaming. “Glad you’re on our team, King.”

He reached around me, opened my door, and waited for me to settle in the seat.

“See ya’ tomorrow,” I yelled, watching him retreat.

God, I’d never sleep. The Rossi account was huge. I couldn’t wait to tell Cole.

I fired up the engine and cranked the heat. Movement caught my eye, and I glanced at the rearview. A blurry figure passed behind my car, but a head of blond hair was unmistakable.

I turned in my seat and righted my glasses to get a better look, but whomever I’d seen was gone.

Halfway home, my phone chimed with incoming texts.

Not until I was safely locked in my condo did I check my messages.

The first was a pic of Caleb and me mid-embrace.

Then another of Caleb looking down at me, his hands on my hips.

To any outsider, we could’ve been mistaken for lovers.

Gotcha, whore

Oh,God. Somebody had been at the bank. Watching. Taking photos. Close. Too close.

My doorbell chimed, announcing a visitor. I dashed to the small screen. A hooded figure stood outside, their back to the camera.

My heart thundered, my chest constricting. I was safe. Four stories up. My caller was outside with no way in unless I wanted them in, but I’d never felt more exposed. I pressed a trembling finger to the speaker button. “Who is it?”

The dark visitor didn’t move.

“Hey. Hi. You buzzed?”

Silence.

I waited, gaze glued to the small screen.

The person moved out of sight, but not before a wind gust blew a lock of blond hair over the top of the hood.

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