Without Warning: A Billionaire Romance (Playboys of New York Book 5) JA Low (e textbook reader .TXT) 📖

“You have been that bad since you found out about Madison and Dominic,” Stirling adds.

“Guess I’ve been so caught up with my anger, I didn’t realize how I might have been affecting others,” I confess as I move some paperwork around on my desk with a nervous fidget.

“It’s all completely understandable, though,” Stirling tells me. “You think the LA people will be able to work out what the hell is going on?”

“He was cocky enough that I believe so.” Putting all my faith into Jackson and his team is a big ask, but right now, I have no alternative. “He can’t do any worse than the crew I hired who haven’t found anything more.”

Stirling nods his head in agreement. “Did they have any suspicions on who it might be?”

“No. They have no idea. But by the end of the week, he told me he would have something for me. Who knows what that might be?”

“Fingers crossed we can find out who the hell is doing this. Just so you know, while you were away, I had someone sweep the building for bugs.” He did what? “I know I sound paranoid, but I don’t know who we can trust at the moment.”

“And?”

“Nothing,” he answers. I’m not sure if I should be relieved or not by that.

“I feel like a sitting duck at the moment waiting for whoever this psycho is to make another move.”

“If they do, we’ve got you.” Stirling gives me a weak smile.

I know he does, even if he lied to me about Audrey.

27

Ariana

“Hey, you’re home,” I greet Rhys as he enters his apartment after work. He’s given me access to his apartment any time I want. If his apartment had a key, then I guess I would be getting one.

It’s only been a couple weeks since reuniting at Emma and Anderson’s housewarming party, but it feels like a lifetime ago now. What does feel like a lifetime ago was the first night Rhys and I met all those months ago. Who knew we would be where we are now?

Happy.

Content.

Fulfilled.

I’ve been busy designing Stella and EJ’s dream home in Montana. I have sent back a couple of designs, and they’ve sent back their changes, and once I’ve done up this last copy of plans for them to check over, they will be ready to break ground.

The best part about building this house is it’s on her father’s land, plus the councilman who signs off on building permits plays cards with her father, and he’s happy to do whatever he wants. Plus, the mayor lives down the road, and her father’s known him since high school. It’s all extremely crazy and an incredibly small world. I don’t know how I would cope dealing with everyone knowing my business. It’s hard enough with this group of friends of mine as they are such busybodies.

“I’m so happy to see you.” Rhys picks me up in his arms and swings me around while nuzzling into my neck.

“Did you miss me?” A little dizzy from his enthusiastic greeting, he puts me down on the floor.

“Damn right I did.” He grabs my face and kisses me passionately as I melt into his arms. “Want to come have a shower with me before the call with Jackson?”

He doesn’t have to ask me twice. Grabbing his hand, we rush through his apartment stripping off our clothes, leaving them all over the floor. I trip over my damn underwear in my haste and fall to the floor in a fit of giggles.

“Ariana, you okay?” Rhys picks me up and assesses the damage.

“Guess I’m a little bit excited to dirty you up before giving you a thorough clean.” Biting my lip, I rub my naked self against his near-naked body.

Seconds later, Rhys is tugging off the last pieces of his clothing and throwing them to the floor. He picks me up, and I wrap my legs around his waist as he strides the last few steps through the hallway, then through his bedroom to his en-suite. While I cling to him like a koala, I tease him with my lips against his neck. Rhys reaches into the shower and turns on the faucet, playing with them for a few moments testing the water. Then he steps into the oversized shower and presses my back against the cold tile wall.

“Did you enjoy teasing me while I was helpless?” Rhys growls against my skin.

“Yes.” My answer is more than a little breathless.

“Maybe I should do a little teasing of my own?” He slowly lets go of my legs, and with an unhappy pout, my legs hit the wet floor. The next thing I know, he spins me around and pushes my chest against the tiled wall. His hand is straight between my thighs, and his fingers are running lazily through my slit. My teeth sink into my bottom lip as I turn my head to the side.

“Who’s teasing who now?” Rhys nips my neck as his fingers do crazy things between my thighs. He’s so good as I try to pretend that what he’s doing to me isn’t driving me crazy.

“I bet I can make you come before I do.”

Rhys fingers still at my challenge. “Do you now?” His voice is deep and husky with a hint of amusement.

“Yes.” Confident in my challenge, I mean it’s win-win because we both get off, so no one is losing, really.

“What do I get if I win?” he cockily asks.

That’s easy as I was going to ask him anyway. I had spoken to Chloe, and she’s agreed to it.

“Be my date for Chloe and Noah’s wedding?”

Rhys stills at my question.

A sinking notion runs through my veins. Oh, no. Have I read this all wrong? I didn’t think I had, but a wedding is a big deal, especially since he’s getting divorced. Maybe he hates weddings. Maybe he never wants to get remarried. Planning social events months in advance, that’s not wise, Ariana. Shit. Maybe it’s a trigger for him.

Rhys spins