Page 5 of His Scarlette Obsession

And that I’m agoodgirl.

But ever since praying to God, all I’ve been seeing of myself lately is how I can be somuchnicer.

And yet I choose not to be nicer...because if the world’s already fine with it, why bother changing?

If I’m not going to be canceled over it, and no one can ever see my mean thoughts, why should I feel bad about it?

I know what you’re thinking.

It’s so weird, right?

I prayed to God about being friend-zoned, but instead of telling me something about Vaughn, all I hear from Him is His gentle advice about how I can be better.

And speaking of better...

I bite back a sigh while hitting theBackspacekey several times to delete the previous headline and give it another spin.

Predators in Business: A Closer Look at Corporate Power Plays

I know it’s bland.

But at least it’s not mean.

I go on working until my phone buzzes with its usual alarm, reminding me to do a little stretch and refocus my eyes on something twenty feet away. My stomach lets out a little growl at the same time, andmm...

I do still have some leftover lasagna in the pantry. Maybe I can reheat it for the fifth time—

Riiiing.

The sound of my work phone ringing jolts me in my seat.

Riiiing.

Who knew this thing was still working?

Riiiing.

It’s never a good thing when your work phone rings, and my heart hammers against my chest as I answer the phone.

“HR Communications, Scarlette speaking.”

A pause.

Then a voice pours through the receiver like expensive whiskey—smooth, silky, and strongly accented.

“Miss Hood.”

My spine snaps straight, the sound causing an inexplicable heat to rush through my veins before sliding lower to pool in places I’ve never felt this kind of warmth before. I press my thighs together on instinct, shocked at my body’s immediate response to just two words from a stranger.

I swallow. “Yes? Who is this?”

“This is Lykan Qahiri.”

I nearly fall out of my chair.

Lykan Qahiri?

The one I was just writing about?