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Laney’s fork stills on her plate. “Are you sure you still want to do this?”

I frown. “Why wouldn’t I?”

She exhales softly, then looks down at her hands. “Because you’re this big star, and I’m just… nobody.”

A sharp bolt of anger—not at her, but at whoever made her feel this way—rushes through me. I push back my chair and crouch beside her, taking her hand in mine, and reaching out with my other to tip her chin up, forcing her expressive eyes to look at me. God, she takes my breath away. “Don’t ever say that again.” My voice is firm, but not unkind. “You are not nobody, Laney. You’re everything. And anyone who can’t see that is a fucking idiot.”

She shifts her gaze, her fingers trembling slightly in mine. I can see the war inside her, the disbelief battling against something else. Hope, maybe.

Her fingertips skim along my cheek, soft and hesitant. Heat flickers in her eyes, mirroring the fire roaring inside me. She pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, and my control snaps.

With a groan, I cup her neck, bringing my lips to just barely skim hers. “Unless you want me to bend you over this table and fuck you right now,” I rasp, “get your sweet ass in the car.”

Her breath hitches. I see the indecision in her wide eyes, the unmistakable flicker of need. Then, suddenly, she bolts, shoving her chair back with a startled squeak.

I chuckle, pleased, despite my raging hard-on. She wants me. She’s not ready yet, but I can feel the way she’s starting to fall.

I grab my keys and call out, “I’ll be in the car.” Then I stride outside, sucking in the cool morning air, hoping it will cool the fire burning under my skin.

Adjusting myself in my jeans, I groan. This is going to be harder than I thought.

But fuck, I love a challenge.

14.Laney

I sigh,stretching my arms over my head as I stare at the half-filled document on my laptop screen. The PR campaign for Joey’s kidney drive is coming together, but my focus keeps slipping. It doesn’t help that Eddie has been busy the last few days, wrapped up in meetings with his lawyer and other things he hasn’t shared details about.

When we’ve crossed paths, he’s been friendly—always flashing that easy grin—but there’s been no heat, no lingering touches, no stolen moments. And I hate that I’m noticing.

I press my lips together, irritated with myself. How the hell did I get so attached so fast? I’ve only been here a few days. We aren’t even real. I should be relieved that he’s giving me space, not... missing him.

A car crunches over the gravel outside, breaking into my thoughts. My brows pull together as I glance toward the window. A sleek black Audi is parked in the driveway, and a woman with bright pink hair steps out. Petite, dressed in ripped jeans and a leather jacket, she walks toward the front door like she’s been here a hundred times before.

Who the hell is that?

The doorbell rings, sharp and insistent.

I hesitate for half a second before pushing back from the counter and making my way to the door. Eddie isn’t home, so it’s up to me to deal with this.

When I pull it open, the pink-haired woman stares at me, wide-eyed. “Who the hell are you?” she blurts, sounding genuinely baffled.

I cross my arms, mirroring her expression. “I could ask you the same thing.”

She tilts her head, studying me. There’s something sharp in her gaze, but also amusement. “I’m Cherry. And you are?”

“Laney.” My tone is clipped, bordering on territorial.

Cherry grins. “Laney, huh?” Then, without warning, she shoves past me, stepping into the house like she owns the place.

“Hey!” I snap, reaching to stop her, but she’s already making a beeline for the kitchen.

I whirl around, my pulse kicking up a notch as I follow her. “Excuse me, but who exactly do you think you are?”

She doesn’t answer. Instead, she strolls into the kitchen like she’s familiar with the layout, and something ugly twists in my gut. Does she belong here?

Is she... his?

The thought makes my stomach drop.