Total pages in book: 83
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78631 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 315(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
But he surprised her by keeping things aboveboard and professional again. “The list of facility employees I have is dated December first. Can you see if Benedict has something more recent? I want to see if anyone has left their job in the last thirtyish days and find out why.”
“Actually, Mila told me yesterday afternoon she’s working on that. I’ll get with her as soon as she’s available and forward it to you.”
“Thank you. See if you can also find out if there’s any employee handbook for the people who work for the mall itself, especially management and maintenance. The general manager and I played phone tag yesterday. By the end of the day, it started to feel intentional. From what I gather, he’s a slimy little bastard who cuts corners. No one likes him.”
“Got it. I’ll also find out why Mr. Benedict hired him and what his qualifications are.”
“Good call. I think that’s it.”
Haisley frowned. Seriously? Not a single innuendo-laden comment or a double entendre from Nash? Not even a wink? If he had behaved this way yesterday, she would have been convinced that their New Year’s Eve kiss was alcohol-fueled, but that sober Nash wasn’t interested at all. The thought made her chest tighten.
“Yeah. Um, do you need me to go with you to the mall tonight?” As soon as the words were out, Haisley winced. OMG, that sounded desperate. “I mean you’re going to be talking to teenagers and—”
“I’d rather not have you near the mall.” His voice dropped. “Bad shit is happening there. I already hate that your job has involved you in this mess. Unless it’s necessary, I don’t want you in deeper.”
“But you’re in.”
“Like I said, I don’t fit the victim profile, and I’m trained for this.”
“But it’s dangerous for you, too.” The words slipped out before she could stop them.
“Ethan will back me up.”
“He’s a fukboi. How can you take him seriously?”
“Since we started renting a house together, I’ve gotten to know him better. He’s more serious than you think, and he’s damn good at his job. I did some digging. His dad and three uncles are all local legends in Vegas for taking down a mob boss terrorizing the city. He learned from the best.”
She trusted Nash’s judgment since he obviously knew Ethan better, but she was miffed that Nash had flatly refused to spend any part of the evening with her. And yes, she realized she was being contradictory. But the fact that he suddenly didn’t seem interested in her except as a partner in this case rattled her more than she wanted to admit.
“All right. Um…maybe you could call me after your interviews tonight to tell me what you found?”
He chugged back the last of his coffee, trashed the disposable cup, then shrugged. “Unless it’s something earth-shattering, there’s no reason for me to disturb your evening. I’ll catch up with you tomorrow.”
Now she was downright annoyed, a twinge of hurt pride mingling with her exasperation. “You’re right. I guess…I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Nash pushed away from her desk and gave her an impersonal salute. “Talk to you then.”
With that, he sauntered out the door. Haisley watched his fine ass retreat until he disappeared.
Shaking her head, she sighed, trying to ignore the confusing ache in her chest at his abrupt departure. He’d given her exactly what she asked for—a purely professional relationship. She hated every second of it. What was wrong with her? Or maybe the better question was, what the hell was up with him?
January
Two years ago
Happy Friday. At six, let yourself in my front door, go straight to my bedroom, and strip off your underwear. Leave them on my pillow and wait beside my bed with your dress lifted so your pussy is exposed. Is that clear?
Haisley reread Nash’s text with a rough sigh as she texted him back.
Yes, Sir.
Wondering exactly what he planned for her tonight got her almost as hot and excited as her certainty that, whatever it was, he’d make it deliciously terrible and drive her to the edge of her sanity until she was a shuddering, pleading mess.
Sometimes she had to pinch herself. In bed, Nash was creative, intense, indefatigable, and amazing. She loved every second she spent with him. She melted when he touched her as if nothing and no one else mattered. She felt her heart race when he kissed her until her toes curled. She lost her mind when he took command of her body and turned her inside out. But most of all, she just loved being with him.
Haisley did her best to hide her growing feelings with an occasional cool brushoff or snarky comeback. If he knew how attached to him she’d become, he’d probably classify her as a stage-five clinger and cut her loose.
Sometimes she almost believed he was falling, too, especially when they cuddled on the sofa for a movie marathon, swapped bad jokes, or shared meaningful conversations about family, philosophy, and dreams… Who did all that with a mere hookup? But Nash had never budged on his stance against marriage and children. And she’d broken their cardinal rule.