Page 32

It’s exactly where my mind has already been. When we turn around, Jace has finished packing five more packages. The way I was operating today, we would’ve been here all night getting these orders out.
Still, there’s an awkward squeeze of my stomach. This is another invasion. Micah hired someone for us. Or had someoneelse hire someone for us, which seems even worse. When I echo my thoughts to Tab, she shrugs. “He didn’t hire him yet. Today is a tryout day.”
“Let’s get real, we’re hiring him,” I whisper as Jace seals another package and places it on the pile with the completed packages without having been asked. So far, this guy seems like a godsend.
“Call him,” Tab says. “Or text him. But texting is a cop out and you know it.”
“Agreed,” Jace says. “Calling says you’re more invested. Anyone can text.”
I grin at Tab. “Text it is.”
“Ooh, dude just got friend-zoned,” Jace remarks without even taking his eyes off his task. “Harsh.”
I press my lips together and stare at him. He continues to work while I have an existential crisis.
I turn on my heel, and as I head out into the main store for some privacy, Tab starts giving Jace a description of our day-to-day operations.
Pulling out my phone, I stare at the home screen. It’s a picture of me and Athena. My knuckles turn white the longer I hold on to the phone, and I really don’t know what to do.
When I let my mind relax and stop thinking so much, I end up pressing on his name and holding my phone up to my ear.
It rings twice, three times. I almost hang up, but then Micah answers, breathless. “Hello?”
“Where are you?” I ask, like I have any right to. “You’re…breathing heavy.” I flare my shirt as the image of Micah hovering over me, shirtless and sweaty, flashes through my mind.
“Workout session with the team.”
I don’t acknowledge what he’s said before I launch into my issue this morning. “You had your assistant hire someone for us?”
“They started today? Great. I’ve been assured that you’ll love them. They’ve been vetted.”
“I think you missed the part I’m hung up on. You had your assistant hire him? For us?”
“You never called me. Or texted.”
The noise in the background dampens, and I imagine Micah moving to a quieter area. A hallway maybe? A trophy room where he can look at all of his accomplishments?
“Did you do what I asked? Did you think about us while you touched yourself?”
My muscles lock. He’s using that voice again. The one that gets me every time. Soft and sensual, a hint of danger. “That’s none of your business.”
“I thought of you,” he murmurs, like I hadn’t said anything to rebuff him. “Every night—and most mornings, too. I should be satiated, but I’m hungrier than ever. You have no idea what the mere thought of you does to me.”
I swallow the sudden desert in my mouth. How do we feel the exact same? “I don’t usually have a hard time—” I stop myself.
What am I doing? I can’t be having this conversation with him. He’s at practice. He’s a goddamned Wildcat. This is crazy.
“But you are now? That’s because you want the real thing, sweetheart. You want my cock. Admit it.”
Unlikely, I lie to myself. “Forget I said anything. About Jace?”
“Who the fuck is Jace?”
His growl takes me by surprise. It makes me mute for a second, my heart taking off as if it’s trying to skitter away from the venom in his voice.
“Raeann.” His tone is controlled now, but it’s laced with real danger. “Tell me who?—”
“It’s the guy Joey hired.”