Page 134

“We had a double dose of Trixster follow-up tonight.”

“Do I even want to know?”

“Maybe not, but humor me. Stacy and her band of scorned and scammed went to the police today to file a formal complaint against Ricky Sharpe. They all had their videos as proof that he tried to blackmail them, too. She sent us an email and said that, after contacting the online dating sites and stating their cases, the administrators would participate fully with an investigation.”

“That is good news. When I get home, I’ll follow up with what’s happening.”

“We can only hope Maren’s virus worked, and he can’t use online dating to take advantage of unsuspecting women.”

“Women should be more aware in general.” I don’t tell her that I paid a visit to Ricky at his home the day after the hotel incident and told him I was looking into him. When I left, he knew exactly where I stood on hitting a woman.

“Well, regardless, there’s more.”

“More?”

“Yes, remember Bailey?”

“Justin’s fiancée? How could I forget?”

“She emailed us, too! It was a totally different person. She confronted Justin and he freaked. The way she explained it was he begged her not to leave him, said he’d give up the lifestyle and never look back. She still left him.”

“His loss.”

“That’s not the end of it. Bailey decided to research the elements of BDSM and decided she wanted to try it. She took him back on the condition that he accepts she is his only partner. No more clubs, no more panties in the mail, nothing. He gladly agreed, revoking his membership to Suite. The details are a little sketchy, but it sounds like she’s turning into a vixen and loving it.”

“Well, that’s a turn I didn’t see coming.”

“Isn’t it awesome! We did good for once!”

Her excitement is contagious, and I find myself smiling as I turn into the hotel parking lot. Kelly was partly right; I do miss Emi in my bed every night. But it’s so much more. I miss everything about Emi.

“Proud of you, baby.”

“How was your day?”

“Same.” She knows exactly what that means.

“Bummer, I’m sorry.”

“Tomorrow’s a new day. Hopefully, the relocation will be more fruitful.”

“Don’t remind me.” Her mood shifts.

“I’ll be home as soon as I can.”

“I’d count down the days, except I don’t have a timeframe.”

“You’ll be the first to know, I promise.”

“Okay.”

“Love you, babe, but I’m gonna lose you in the elevator. I’ll text you in the morning.”

“Love you, too. Muah!” She makes a kissing sound before hanging up.

I stare at my phone the ride up, and as soon as the elevator opens, the scent assaults me. It gets stronger with every step. I can feel her presence all the way to my bones, and when I open the door, she’s standing there with a blinding smile ready to pounce. I don’t have time to say anything before she leaps into my arms, almost tackling me before I gain my footing.

Her lips kiss every inch of skin on my face before finding my mouth and slipping her tongue inside. I inhale deeply, my hands going to her ass and moving us to the bed. When my knees hit the corner of the mattress, I fall, bringing her with me.