Page 45 of Sexting My Ex's Dad

“Hmm. I like this new heartkiller.”

I roll my eyes. She’s always had a way with words.

My phone vibrates in my pocket. Curiosity piqued, I retrieve it and feel my breath catch in my throat as I read the alert on the screen: a fifty thousand dollar wire has been sent to my account.

“Stella?” Anastasia’s voice seems distant as my heart races.This can’t be real, right now.

“Anastasia,” I stammer, my voice trembling. “Look at this.”

Her eyes widen as she takes in the notification on my phone. After a moment of stunned silence, she lets out a playful laugh. “What bank did you rob, Stella? Or should I say, ‘Bonnie’?” That amount of money is nothing to an heiress like Anastasia, but she and I both know I’ve never had this much money in my account.

I force a weak smile, but my mind is already churning, searching for an explanation. Could this be some sort of mistake? A clerical error that will soon be corrected?

“Stel,” Anastasia says, her tone softening as she notices my concern. “This has to be a mistake, right? You should call the bank and find out what happened or keep it.” She shrugs. “Or go shopping for real.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s a crime,” I tell her, and she laughs.

“A little crime never hurts anyone.”

“Yeah, it just sent them to jail.”

But where did it come from?

Suddenly, I know. There’s only one billionaire that I know. Elio.

I had been trying to distance myself from thoughts of him, but this sudden influx of money clearly points to him. The realization hits me like a bolt of lightning, leaving me breathless. My heart hammers in my chest as I attempt to hide my growing anxiety behind a forced smile.

Why would Elio do this? What does he want from me? And how am I supposed to confront him about it?

That doesn’t change the fact that I need to.

26

STELLA

Istride through the sleek glass doors of TerraVolt with my heart pounding in my chest. I’m determined to confront Elio about the money he deposited into my account. The cool air conditioning washes over me, but it does nothing to calm my nerves as I make my way up to his office.

“Miss March,” Elio’s secretary greets me with a smile. “He’s expecting you.”

Of course he is…

“Thanks,” I reply curtly, not bothering to hide my agitation.

The door to Elio’s office swings open, revealing him sitting at his desk, fingers steepled, and that enigmatic smile playing on his lips. He looks every bit the powerful magnate I know him to be, dressed impeccably in a tailored suit that accentuates his broad shoulders and commanding presence.

If he weren’t so attractive, it would be easier to hate him…

“Stella,” he says smoothly, his piercing blue eyes fixed on me. “What brings you here?”

“Cut the crap, Elio,” I snap, my hands balling into fists at my sides. “You know exactly why I’m here. The money – fifty thousand dollars – in my account? Care to explain?”

He leans back in his chair casually, not even attempting to deny it. “Yes, I deposited the money into your account. You’re welcome, by the way. It’s not like you had a lot in there.”

He’s doing this just to get on my nerves. He has to. He just wants a reaction out of me.

“Welcome?” I scoff, my anger flaring. “You had no right! I won’t be bought, Elio.”Again anyways.“And if you think giving me money means I’m hopping back into your bed then you’re sorely mistaken,” I say firmly, my voice shaking despite my best efforts to keep it steady. “I won’t be indebted to you.”

“Is that what you think this is about?” he asks quietly. “You being indebted to me?”