Page 70 of The Bad Girl

I turn to face him, my heart leaping into my chest. I don’t know what I am to him now, or what he is to me. I guess he’s still my boss, though what we did extended far past what I thought our boundaries were. How do we go back after what happened between us?

“I’d like to put you up in a hotel and keep a security detail on you,” Maxwell says. “Your safety is paramount.”

“No! Absolutely not. Johnson was scrambling on that boat. No one’s helping him, and he doesn’t even know who I am.”

Maxwell frowns, but he knows I’m right. He’s just being overprotective.

“My car will bring you home, later in the evening, a security detail will be established—no buts! I will have you protected. Take as much time as you need before coming back to the office.”

My heart sinks, though I don’t know why. After all, I have Tom. Tom and I are a much better match, and there’s a very real possibility he wants me. I’ve wanted Tom for forever, and now, I finally have a chance with him.

Then why am I so forlorn?

It’s because you want Maxwell to invite you back to his penthouse to continue with what you were doing on the boat.

It’s true, and it’s hurts because Maxwell is someone I’ll never be able to have. He’s a playboy, both handsome and rich, with more options than almost any other man on the planet. Now that he’s had a taste of me, I doubt he’ll be returning.

Who knows, now that you’re an entry in his Little Black Book, maybe you’ll pop up when he’s in the mood.

Holy shit! I made it into his Little Black Book! I wonder how he’ll rate me.

It’s hard to describe the sensations coursing through me. There’s pride, but also a little shame. I don’t want to be bunched in with his one-nighters, but I guess it’s where I belong.

I say farewell and climb into the vehicle. The remnants of adrenaline still coursing through me makes it impossible to relax, and I know rest won’t come easily. The thought of being alone in my apartment unnerves me. It’s not that I think I’m in any danger, but I don’t know if I can handle the silence.

I go through my list of friends in my head, and I realize I haven’t cultivated many friendships since taking my position at InStryde. Then, it hits me—Allison.

I’ve been so eager to see Tom after all these years, but it was Allison that I was truly friends with. Allison is the one I told all my secrets to and planned at least fifty weddings with growing up. And now she’s getting married, and we haven’t had one talk about her big day.

I send her a text, hoping she’ll have me over.

Nadine:Hey, if you aren’t too busy, maybe you can host me for the afternoon? I’d love to discuss your wedding.

Allison:COME ON OVER!!! But be warned…I have a surprise…

A surprise?

“Hey,” I call to the driver, “I’m going to need you to drop me off at a different location.”