Page 13 of Marked for Obsession

Clearing the nerves from her throat, Poppy regained her composure and straightened her spine. “I’m looking for your boss.”

Those eyes staring back at her refused to give anything away. “My boss?”

“Jax Monroe.” Poppy nodded. With a quick lick of her lips, she shifted her weight from one foot to the other. “Is he, uh…” She reached up, gripping the leather strap of her purse. “Is he here?”

“He is.”

That was it. He just kept standing there, staring.

Okaaay…

“Do you think you could go get him for me?” Poppy tried prompting him into action. “I really need to speak with him.”

“About?”

Geez, what is this guy’s problem?“It’s…personal.”

“Personal, huh?” Blatant interest shined behind his dark russet eyes as they ran the length of her body. “Is Monroe expecting you?”

“No.” She pulled her bottom lip between her teeth, suddenly wishing she’d called before coming here. “But I heard he was the best private investigator around, and I’d like to hire him.”

“You heard right. As for his services…” An arrogant smirk lifting one corner of his mouth. “That all depends on your…needs.”

Poppy wasn’t sure which she felt more, offended or aroused. Reminding herself why she was here, she forced a steadiness she had little faith in and kept her chin held high.

“Look, Mr. …” She shot him an expectant look.

When he didn’t offer up his name, that thin band of patience she’d been desperately holding onto snapped. Crossing her arms at her chest, Poppy squared her shoulders and crossed her arms at her chest.

“Look, Mr. Whatever-your-name-is,” she began again. “I just left the hospital after working a twelve-hour shift, and I’ve had very little sleep in the last three days. Largely due to the reason that brought me here. So if you wouldn’t mind, I’dreallylike to speak to Mr. Monroe so I can go home and get some much-needed sleep.”

The bouncer didn’t get angry. He didn’t yell or throw her ass out. If anything, he almost seemed...Amused?

Poppy opened her mouth, ready to insist he take her to see his boss immediately, when the infuriating man began to smile.

“Follow me.”

Moving much closer to her than was needed, he stepped past and started up the stairs. Momentarily stunned by the strange interaction, it took her a full two seconds to fall in line behind him.

And speaking of behinds…

Shamelessly Poppy took advantage of her line of sight by checking out the man’s denim-clad rear as she followed him up the dark staircase.

Matching the rest of his chiseled body, the tight, muscular globes filled the seat of his well-worn jeans with perfection. Taut thighs stretched the faded material covering them with each step of his booted feet.

Thighs she just knew were as strong as the man they carried.

What are you doing? You’re not here to hook up with a bad-boy biker type. You’re here to talk to his boss.

At the top of the stairs, the bouncer led her halfway down a wide, carpeted hallway to a set of double doors located to their left. Reaching for one of the knobs, he pulled one of the doors open and slid to the side.

“After you.”

Feeling almost as though she was being led to her executioner, Poppy risked a quick glance in his direction before entering the impressive space. Her eyes lifted, drawn to the illuminated ceiling above her.

It was recessed with low lighting that flaunted the uneven surface. Several canned lights lined the ceiling’s interior, adding to the sophisticated style of the masculine office.

Poppy stepped further into the room. A luxurious tiled floor paved the way to the circular window making up most of the back wall that stood in front of her. Positioned between her and the window was a large, expensive-looking desk resting on what appeared to be an authentic Oriental rug.

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