Unexpected Lovers Box Set by J.B. Heller
I’ve shutdown my computer for the day when Tyson enters my office, a grin on his face.
“What’s up?” I ask, eyeing him suspiciously.
He makes himself comfortable in one of the chairs in front of my desk then asks, “How’d your weekend go? Did you finally run into your secret seductress?”
I’d been doing my best not to continue obsessing about her, and I’ve done a pretty good job for the most part. I sigh and relax back into my seat. “Nope. Pretty sure she’s avoiding me. I usually see her at least once or twice a week in passing.”
Tyson chuckles. “He’s finally found a woman who’s immune to his charms.”
Flipping him off is inappropriate behavior in the office, but I do it anyway. “I haven’t even tried to charm her yet. In fact, based on our first and only encounter, I’d say she has no idea I’ve practically had a hard-on for her for months.”
“Say what?” Tyson splutters, jerking forward in his chair.
I shrug. “How do you think I knew who she really was? You saw her website; she doesn’t show her face.”
Resting his elbows on his knees, he laces his fingers together then rests his chin atop them. “I didn’t even think about it. But now that you mention it, it makes you sound like a creepy bastard. How’d you figure it out?”
I roll my eyes. He’s so dramatic. It’s not that strange. “She has a lavender tattoo on the back of her neck. I’ve seen it when we ride the elevator in our building. I saw it in the video—or live feed. Point is, that’s what clued me in. I still have no idea what her real name is, so I can’t even look her up to apologize for being an epic ass to her.”
He grins like he knows something I don’t.
“Spit it out,” I demand.
“You know there’s an e-mail address connected to the site, right?” he asks.
Shit. Why didn’t I think of that? Running my hand through my hair, I reach out to turn my monitor back on, but Tyson stops me, saying, “I haven’t shut down my computer yet. Give me a sec, and I’ll get it for you.”
He returns a minute later and hands me a Post-It note. “Use it wisely,” he jokes.
“Asshole,” I grumble under my breath at his retreating back.
“I heard that,” he sings out.
Of course he did. Tucking the note in my breast pocket, I turn to snatch up my briefcase then switch the light off on my way out the door.
* * *
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Meeting request...
Sadie-not-Sadie,
This is Atticus, the asshole who accused you of seducing his son in the elevator of our building last week.
Since I haven’t seen you in person since our encounter, I have no other choice but to make contact via e-mail.
If you would give me the chance, I would very much like the opportunity to make my apologies for my asinine behavior face to face. Perhaps we could arrange a time to meet or cross paths in the elevator again this week?
Sincerely,
Atticus
* * *
My eyes skimthe words over and over again.
He wants to meet up with me? Oh, hell no.
I can never look the man in the eye after what he’s seen, let alone intentionally meet up with him.
* * *
FROM: [email protected]
SUBJECT: Let’s not and say we did…
Hello Mr. Blaine,
While I appreciate your desire to apologize, and I do, let’s just call this good enough.
I will take this e-mail as your apology, and we can go back to pretending we don’t exist to each other.
Regards,
Sadie
* * *
I glare at her response—itjust won’t do.
“Whoa, did you just growl?” Arlo asks from the other side of the table as we eat dinner.
After dropping my phone beside my plate, I transfer my gaze to him.
He holds his hands up in surrender, then a wicked grin forms on his face. “Still dealing with your lady problems?”
“I’ve got it under control,” I grumble and cut into my steak.
Arlo snorts. “The way you’re butchering that steak right now begs to differ.”
My knife and fork hit the plate with a clang. Sighing, I sit back and run a hand through my hair. “She’s just being difficult. It’s nothing I can’t handle.”
“Well, I’m here for you to bounce ideas off if you want.”
I smile and shake my head. “Thanks, bud, but I’m good.”
He shrugs and goes back to stuffing his face while I contemplate what to say to make Sadie-not-Sadie change her mind.
I makea point of not checking my Sadie-related e-mails for the next few days. I don’t want to know if Atticus has replied. The fact that he reached out proves he’s been thinking about me, or at least, thinking about what went down between us.
I also haven’t done another live feed since. The thought of him logging in to watch is just too much. There’s no way I can do it; the element of anonymity has gone up in flames.
The bastard’s ruined Miss Sadie for me, damn it.
“You excited for your date tonight?” Emory asks, her feet on the coffee table as she flicks through movie options on Netflix with a bowl of popcorn in her lap and a beer in her free hand. “Are you meeting him there, or is he picking you up?”
“He’s meeting me in the lobby,” I answer, glancing at my watch. “In half an hour.”
Her gaze strays from the TV and flits over my outfit. “You look cute.” She smiles.
I run a hand down my side. “You think so?” I ask, self-consciousness rearing its ugly head.
“Positive,” Em assures me. “Are you wearing those brown leather booties you got the other week or sandals?”
“I was going to wear the booties. Do you think sandals would be better?”
Em shakes her head. “No, no. The booties will be perfect. Especially since he’s taking you to a concert at The Royal. You’ll want the coverage. Nothing worse than someone spilling their drink on your feet and having to put up with the gross stickiness all night.”
I nod. “Truth.”
The front door opens, and Lennon strolls in, carrying a bag of takeout for her and Em. “Lookin’ hot, Kins,” she says, dropping onto the couch beside Emory.
“Thanks.” I grin, the pressure easing up off my chest a little more.
I’m wearing tight, high-waisted blue jeans paired with a floral-print, long-sleeve midi top, and a leather jacket. I love this outfit. I know it’s cute as fuck, but there’s always that little voice inside my head that tells me it would look so much better on my sister.
“Hey, knock that off,” Len snaps at me.
I shake my head and look at her. “What?”
Her eyes narrow on me. “You’re doing it again. Diving too deep inside that head of yours and letting your insecurities take over. You look fucking gorgeous, and this guy is one lucky son of a bitch to be taking you out tonight. You hear me?”
My heart swells. “I hear you,” I say, smiling. “I’m good now. Promise.” I head to my room and grab a little cross-body bag then slip my booties on.
“Okay, I’m out. Don’t have too much fun without me,” I call as I open the front door to make my exit.
“Have fun!” and “Love you!” follow behind me.
I practically skip down the seven flights of stairs to the lobby, my spirits high. Excitement for what the night will hold comes bubbling forward. I only have to wait for a few minutes, then Callum enters.
I can’t wipe the smile off my face when he stops in his tracks at the sight of me, his eyes raking over my form as he bites his pierced bottom lip.
God, he’s so damn cute.
“Hey,” he says, nearing me.
“Hi,” I murmur.
He leans in and presses a small kiss to my cheek. Drawing back, he smiles down at me. “You look beautiful, Kinsley.”
“Thank you,” I mumble, heat scorching my face.
“You ready to go?” he asks, extending a hand in offering.
I slide my palm into his. As we start walking, the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. Glancing around the lobby, my gaze lands on Atticus’s heated stare, right as the elevator closes in front of him.
