Page 23 of Crossing the Line

“What?” I ask, feeling strained.

“Did you hook up with Hercules after the party?”

With my eyes closed, I rub my eyebrows. The lie is on the tip of my tongue. However, I’m sure my long pause says everything.

Lake sighs as if my silence is a burden. “Even though I know Hercules isn’t in love with Lauren, be careful with him, okay? He’s not a player or an asshole or anything. He’s actually a really good guy. But he’s controlled by his family. And you know those Lords. How didTop Rag Magput it? They have their old-money ways.”

* * *

The cab rideto the Aries Business Center is taxing. I shift uncomfortably in the back seat the entire way, trying to think my way through the mess I stepped into with Hercules. I must forget about him. So far, Max hasn’t caught wind of theTop Rag Magpost, and apparently, neither has Treasure, at least not yet. I’m expecting a call from her at any moment.

I make it inside the building and rub my aching temples while riding up the elevator to the fifth floor. I yawn, even though I’m too wired to be sleepy. I think I’ve decided to keep some serious distance between Hercules and me.I don’t know though…I haven’t conclusively made up my mind yet. Last night was beyond amazing. But good sense says that our sexing days are over. No more making love. No more kissing. And frankly, I should never, ever see him again.

Plus, I should be angry at him. But—all of that sex we had… All of those orgasms we gave each other. The sensual and deep kissing. The gazing into each other’s eyes. His skin on my skin. I sigh.

Oh no. The wedding…I’ll probably run into him at Lake and Mason’s wedding, but after that, never again.

I’m early as I walk down a wide hallway that carries the scent and shine of freshly waxed tiled floors. Other than me, the only person in the corridor at the moment is a man who’s wearing an impeccable gray suit. I split my attention between the guy and the room numbers, trying to figure out if he and I are supposed to link up. He’s standing in front of 1604, which is where I’m going.

Is he Allen Sussex?The closer I get to the man, the easier it is to see how familiar he looks, though. Light hair, clean-shaven square chin, classically handsome.

Upon recognition, I stop in my tracks. “Clive?”

He flashes me an easy smile. It’s definitely Clive, from the party last night. He doesn’t look surprised at all to see me. I suspect he’s been expecting me. “Paisley Grove. Fancy meeting you here.”

“Same,” I say, purposely erasing my frown as I finish closing the distance between us.

“I’ll be representing you for this hearing.”

I casually tilt my head to one side. “But is your real name Allen Sussex?”

He chuckles. “No. Allen couldn’t make it. So you got me. If that’s okay with you.” He’s flirting, which only makes me remember my night with Hercules.

I force a smile as I make myself forget Hercules’s existence. “I’m fine with that. I’m just here to do nothing, I presume.”

I’m on the verge of apologizing for not saying goodbye to him last night when the elevator dings so loudly it steals our attention. Clive and I turn to see who’s joining us. The doors slide open.

I take a sharp, inaudible breath as my jaw drops. I can’t believe who I’m looking at.Great. Just great.