She said she didn’t have a boyfriend.
I keep looking through her belongings—a few crystals strategically placed.
Don’t tell me she’s one of those nut jobs who believe in crystal healing.
Hmm.
It’s very eclectic in here. So unlike my perfectly styled penthouse.
I look along the spines of the books—what does she read?
Ugh, romance reader.
I would never have guessed that one.
There’s a small crystal dish and an array of gold jewelry. I smile as I pick up one of her rings and put it on the end of my pinkie finger.
Tiny hands.
I take it off and put it back and keep looking through her photos. It’s like show-and-tell and I’m learning all about her.
And surprisingly, not a cauldron in sight.
I retrieve her phone from her handbag and go back and sit down beside her, and she rolls toward me and puts her hand over my thighs.
My stomach flutters.
Stop it.
I really should be going, I’ve been here for hours. Where the fuck is that stupid Daniel and his sickly white teeth now?
“Kate.” I wake her. “Kate.” I hold her phone in front of her. “Unlock your phone for me, I’m going to call someone.”
She frowns and nestles closer into my thigh, and I run my fingers through her hair. We sit like this for a while and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t like it.
But I’m hungry; it’s now nearly 10 p.m.
“Kate.” I hold the phone up to her face. “Unlock your phone, please.”
“Hmm.”
“Kate.”
She fumbles around with it with her eyes still closed and passes it back to me.
She nestles back into my thigh and I watch her for a moment.
Okay, I’ll admit it.
I like her.
Not like her, like her, I just don’t hate her like I thought I did.
I go through the list of contacts as I look for the name Daniel.
Hmm, no Daniel.
I don’t know his last name . . . fuck.
That guy is fucking useless on all fronts.
Another hour later.
Maybe I’ll just go downstairs and get something to eat? Then maybe . . . I’ll just sleep here with her?
I mean, I can’t leave her alone.
Yeah, I’ll do that.
The bedroom door opens and I look up, startled. It’s Daniel.
Kate is fast asleep and her hand is in mine.
He frowns when he sees me and looks between Kate and I.
“She’s out cold,” I offer as an explanation.
“Umm . . . What’s going on?” he asks as he walks into the bedroom.
“She had a reaction to some medication and was groggy. I found her passed out in the office and brought her home.”
His eyes widen. “We need to take her to the hospital.”
“I already called emergency services, and she’s okay. Just sleepy, I’ve checked already. She’s conscious, just sleeping.”
He stares at her. “Wow.”
I stand. “I’ll go now that you’re here.”
He sits on the side of the bed beside her. “Baby?” he says. “Are you okay?”
An unfamiliar feeling swirls in my stomach as I watch him with her.
Don’t call her baby.
I clench my jaw as I move toward the door. “I’ll leave you to it.”
Daniel stands and shakes my hand. “Thank you so much, I really appreciate you caring for her. I’ll take it from here.”
I stare at him; okay, I don’t like this guy.
He’s too . . . familiar.
“I’m not sure if I should leave her with you?” I say.
His face falls. “Why not?”
“I mean, how do I know you aren’t going to take advantage of her.”
“Because I’m her friend . . . and I live with her.”
I straighten my tie as I go over my options. “Hmm.” I rearrange my cufflinks.
“Look Mr.—” he says.
“Elliot Miles,” I interrupt him.
He gives me a stifled smile. “Mr. Miles, thank you for looking after her, but I’m home now. I appreciate all you’ve done.”
“Fine.” I take one last look around the room. “I’ll be in touch.”
I head toward the door and then stop and take the gold business card case from my pocket, handing over my card. “Call me if something is wrong or if anything changes.”
He frowns as he takes the card from me. “Okay, I will.”
“Goodnight.”
I march down the stairs and out the front door, walk over to my Bentley, and get into the backseat.
“Where to, boss?” Andrew asks as we pull out into the traffic.
“Anywhere with food.”
KATE
I wake to the deep throb in my stomach and I wince.
Oww, period pain.
I drag my eyes open—I need to go to the bathroom. I sit up and frown as I look down at myself.
Huh?
Why am I wearing this?
I go to step out of bed and tread on a blanket on my floor. “What’s that?”
I flick my lamp on and see that Daniel is asleep on top of the couch cushions on the floor beside my bed. “What the hell?” I step over him and go to the bathroom.
It’s urgent now.
Damn it, periods are a design fault in the female human body.