Page 48 of Hidden Resolution

“We aren’t finished! Get back here!”

“Oh, I’d say we damn well are,” she shouted over her shoulder, snatching her purse from the coat rack. “You have exactly one minute to get the hell out of my apartment before I call the police and have you arrested for trespassing.”

A blood vessel throbbed at his temple, the pressure building behind his eyes and teeth.

“You’re crazy, you know that?” He grabbed his coat and stomped toward the door. “I’ll be outside until you come to your senses.”

“Bundle up. It’s going to be a long-ass night.”

14

Alarm set and locks engaged, Shonda descended the stairs to meet the Uber waiting out front. One glance at the parking lot confirmed Mason’s Lexus hadn’t moved since yesterday. Holding up a single finger to stall the driver, she veered toward the familiar vehicle and leaned down to peer through the tinted glass.

Empty.

“Looking for me?”

A scream tore from her throat.

“Asshole!”

“I’ll—” Mason began.

“Don’t you eventhinkabout saying you’ll let me sniff you. Not if you want to live.”

“Sorry. I forgot you’re not much of a morning person.”

He leaned casually against the car, sipping from a to-go cup as if her near-heart attack amused him. Caffeine remained elusive this morning, and his steaming cup practically called her name.

She reached for it.

Of course, being the contrary bastard that he was, he held it up and away as he waved a finger. “Uh, uh, uh.”

The temptation to rip off his arm and beat him with it was hard to resist. Instead, she graced him with a black look and tried again, with the same result.

“When did you get coffee, and why didn’t you bring me one?” she demanded.

The smug bastard lifted the drink higher, forcing her to press closer. His infuriating grin spoke volumes about how much he enjoyed the body contact. To be contrary, she backed off fast.

“I had a friend drop it by,” he said with a shrug and another swallow.

Friend. Code for a woman.

“Friend, huh? Well, now I understand why only one drink. Can’t have your scores of women thinking you aren’t the great lone wolf.”

Spinning on her heel, she stalked to the waiting vehicle.

“Hey, where do you think you’re going?” he called.

“Not that it’s your business, but I’m heading to Erica’s surprise party.”

“Without your coffee? I mean, you’re the woman I’m sleeping with who takes it with two creams, no sugar, right?”

His sin-worthy smile made a comeback, and a second cup appeared, hinting Mason might be a magician or her keen observation skills were sadly lacking. He wiggled it back and forth, dangling the prize.

With narrowed eyes, she considered her options.

One: she could accept the coffee as a very sweet gesture on his part and ignore who had procured it.