Page 90 of Seductive Scoundrel

“That’s great. My dad is anxious to put this baby to bed, as he says.” Dex shrugs. “Dean and I are heading to Florida to meet with the old man again.”

Just the mention of Dean’s name makes tears well up in my eyes. But I won’t cry at work and do my best to blink them away. “That’ll be a nice getaway.”

Dex perches on the corner of the table. “Bianca and the kids might come. We could all use some sun and relaxation. It would be great if you were coming, too.”

If the guy’s trying to punish me, this is the exact way to do it. “That would be fun,” I enthuse – or at least give it my best shot. It still sounds a little flat.

“Mia, there’s something you need to know. I probably should have told you days ago, but I was hoping that one of you…” He looks up at the ceiling, shaking his head. “You’re both stubborn, especially him.”

“Sorry, I’m not following you – at all.”

He draws in a breath. “I’m not the one who took care of your dilemma.”

My stomach suddenly drops into my toes. “Then who did?”

He shoots me a look and I know without a doubt exactly who Dex chose to involve.

“You toldhim?” I shriek, earning glances from everyone passing in the hallway. I guess people don’t usually yell at their CEO.

“He’s a technology genius with a lot of connections. I tried, but couldn’t even find out who stole it. It was at the point where I had to tell Dean or risk the video going public. No one wanted that to happen.”

I suck in a deep breath, willing myself not to freak out as the tears threaten to fall again. I’m always overly emotional when I’m exhausted.

Who cares that the guy I love got rid of a sex video I did with my bastard of an ex-boyfriend, right? No biggie.

But I understand that Dean was the logical person for Dex to reach out to for help. He was the first person who came to my mind, too. I was just too afraid, and proud, to ask.

“Thank you, Dex.”

“Talk to him.”

“I tried.”

“If you love him, try again – in person. Unfortunately, a text isn’t going to cut it in this case. Dean buried the video because he loves you. He wouldn’t have gone to the trouble – and significant expense – if he didn’t.”

Every fiber of my being wants his statement to be true. “Thanks,” I say again, but my voice sounds like I’m underwater, and right now, I wish that I was.

* * *

“Mia Elizabeth Ford,you’re crazy, absolutely crazy. He’s never going to talk to you,” I say – to myself – as I stand outside Dean’s apartment. My hand is poised, ready to knock, but I can’t do it.

The door suddenly opens. “Yes?” the man himself demands.

He’s standing there, dressed in jeans and a tight grey T-shirt, looking sexy as hell – absolutely killing me. The slight coronary when he pulled the door open didn’t help either.

“How did you –”

“Security camera,” he replies before the question is even out of my mouth.

“Oh, right,” I say, willing myself to pull it together. “Can I come in for a moment, please?” I need to know how he feels about me, one way or the other. There’s got to be a chance to save our relationship.

He stands there unmoving, staring at me and making me wonder if I actually said the words out loud.

Just as I open my mouth to ask again – or maybe for the first time – he steps back, motioning me inside.

“I’m sorry and thank you,” I blurt as soon as the door shuts behind me.

One eyebrow cocks as he studies me, his face impenetrable. “Oh?”

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