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“Guess we're meant to be.” His shoulder nudges mine, a broad smile spreading across his handsome face.

Fuck, I could get lost in those sparkling eyes, could stare at that face forever and never grow bored.

Hold up.

Forever?

Who said anything about forever here? I don't even love the guy. It's just fun being sneaky, and the orgasms are mind-blowing. But love? No.

Right?

“Have you thought about why you're that way?” he asks. “Did something happen as a kid?”

“I think….” Huh. For the first time ever, my internal conversation’s answer matches the external one. Must be a full moon thing or something. “I never had it as a kid. Never witnessed it either, so I don't know how to accept it.”

“But you do from me.”

“I do. I crave it, actually. And not just the sexy stuff. Even the simplest touches make me feel… I don't know, whole.”

Trey's eyes widen. His mouth opens, but not a single sound comes out.

Great, I said something wrong. Now he’s thinking I'm trying to rush him down the aisle or something.Fuck. Backtrack, Randi.

“I mean, it's nothing. Whatever,” I say in a rush. “I'm cool. Who needs to be whole anyway?”

Fuck. I’m a lost cause. Just put me down. Send me out to pasture.

There's no recovering from this.

“When I touch you,” Trey whispers, his voice barely audible in the quiet stairwell, “it's all that matters. You're life, Mess.” Looking away, he groans and drops his head. His fingers massage the back of his neck. “Hey, listen, I need to tell you something. Fuck, I hope you don't Bobbitt me—”

Pounding footsteps cut off his words. Before I can blink, he’s standing and ready to intercept the racing agent.

“Where is she?” Grem huffs.

Trey steps aside, allowing Grem a visual of where I sit on the stairs. Hand raised, I wiggle my fingers in an awkward-as-hell wave.Seriously, what is wrong with me?

“It's Taeler.”

Time stands still as my mind processes his words. Above me, the two men talk, their voices rising with each passing second.

Suddenly a cell phone is shoved in my face. I blink at the screen before glancing up to Trey.

“She's on the phone. Take it, Randi. We'll listen in through another line.” Grabbing the phone from Grem's extended hand, Trey yanks me off the step with a single pull. The world trembles as my legs revolt against holding my weight. Not wasting any time, Trey hauls me down the hall while pressing the phone to my ear.

“Tae?” I question. “What the hell is going on?”

“I don't know.” My pulse spikes, dread sinking deep in my gut at her rushed, labored breaths. Panic flashes through my veins, reviving my expended energy.

“Talk to me, Taeler. What's going on? Why did you call?”

“I think someone… someone is following me. I don't know. I don't know, Mom,” she cries. Car horns honking and the sounds of a busy street pour through the phone. “Something felt off. It still feels off. Fuck, I don't know where to go.”

“Where is your security team?” I demand.

“Not with me.”

Fury mixes with the growing panic. “You snuck out!”