Money Man (King Maker 1)

“Then go.”

I exhaled once. “Okay, I will.”

“Details,” she said. “I want lots of details.”

After we hung up, I opened his text and responded, Where?

I assumed he’d take a little time to get back to me, but before I could put my phone away, it vibrated in my hand.

I’ll make a reservation, it read.

My stomach did a little backflip. There was just something about the man that made me want to ignore all the warning bells that I would end up getting hurt.

As I settled back in my seat, it was the million dollars’ worth of transfers I couldn’t trace back to an invoice or to another bank account that drew me out of my thoughts of Kalen.

Scott looked up from where he sat with his sleeves rolled up. Though the man was handsome, there had never been the kind of pull to him that I felt when I merely thought of Kalen.

At around five, I realized I was too close to something to stop. I sent a quick text to Kalen.

I’m not going to make it.

I waited for the telltale dots to appear that he was responding. When nothing came, I sent another impromptu message.

Dinner at my place at 7 instead?

I felt foolish for staring at the screen like a schoolgirl with a crush.

“Did you find something?”

My heart stopped. I’d been so focused waiting for Kalen’s response, I hadn’t heard Scott’s approach.

Quickly, I put my phone facedown on the conference table in front of me.

“Actually, yes,” I began.

I’d found a pattern. The transactions occurred around the same time money was distributed to partners. A lot of money moved during those times.

“I requested more information about the transfers from their accounting team.”

Scott’s eyes narrowed on me. “You did it without running it by me, after our talk this morning?”

I didn’t understand the anger burning in his stare.

“I didn’t think it was a problem.”

“I’m lead on this audit.”

There would surely be blood for how hard I was biting my tongue.

“It’s done,” I said instead.

“I want to be told immediately when you get that information back.”

“Fine.” I gritted my teeth, wondering how I’d make it through this assignment with him as my boss. At least he hadn’t reminded me again about the stupid ring.

At six-fifteen, I gathered my things. Scott made his way over to me.

“Where are you going?” he asked quietly. “I’m having dinner brought in.”

“I have to go,” I said emphatically.

“We have a job to do, and that means late nights when necessary.”

“I’ve been here since before six am,” I said.

“Yet, you still have more to do. What’s the emergency that you have to leave?”

I glared at him. “Are you asking if I have a doctor’s appointment? Like with a gynecologist to see if you gave me any STDs while cheating on me.”

Perversely, I grinned as his jaw tightened.

“Don’t worry. I’ll be getting a checkup tonight.”

With that, I walked out of the room, feeling like I scored the winning goal. Scott’s face had turned beet red.

Fourteen

There was undeniable sexual chemistry between Kalen and me. Something I recognized as I walked up to my building and caught sight of him stepping out of a black SUV. Embarrassingly, my body readied for him instantly.

Our eyes locked and I swallowed, wondering if I would make it through dinner. This instantaneous need was something I hadn’t experienced with any other man.

“Lass,” he said, ratcheting up my desire for him.

“Kalen.”

Unspoken words bounced between us as we stared at each other.

“I think we should go inside,” he said with a grin.

Humiliation colored my cheeks. Had I really just been standing there like a lost puppy?

Gathering some of my composure, I’d repeated his phrase from the other night, trying to regain some control. “Yes. It’s cold out.”

“Good evening, Miss Glicks,” the doorman said as I strode through the open door like I hadn’t been mesmerized by the man following me.

“You too, Stan,” I said, turning back to give him a smile.

“It’s supposed to snow tonight,” he said, eyeing Kalen.

“That’s what four-wheel drive is for,” Kalen said as if he was annoyed the guy had spoken to me. A hand landed at my back and steered me to the elevator, ending any further conversation. It was as if he was familiar with the building.

“He was being nice,” I muttered.

Kalen’s only response was a lifted brow.

“What floor?” he asked, ignoring my comment as we stepped into the elevator.

Instead of answering, I pressed it myself and looked up in time to catch his reaction. Then his eyes dropped to my lips. They felt suddenly dry and I let my tongue sweep over them. Realizing what I’d done, I dropped my gaze to avoid his.

That was when I noticed the bag he carried for the first time. “Something smells good,” I said in an effort to tamp down the sexual tension.

“It does,” he said, prowling forward, and I took an involuntary step back.