Page 90 of Bitter Heat

“In Colorado, there was no contract, and you spread wide for me.”

“That was before I remembered what an asshole you are.”

“I can be,” he agreed. “Being nice hasn’t gotten me anywhere in life.”

She opened her mouth to snap, but his next words stopped her.

“But I have everything I want now, so I’ll try.”

She was relieved when he took another call so she could fortify her shields. She couldn’t let him get to her. He was a bully and blackmailer and willing to topple companies with thousands of employees out of his petty need for vengeance. He might play the nice guy at times, but she couldn’t allow herself to forget that he had destroyed her once. She wouldn’t let him do it again.

Desperate for a distraction, she retreated into her fiction world. The new plot she uncovered last night still pulsed with life, but it was getting dimmer by the second. Too much real-life shit. If she didn’t find the time to write, her idea would slip away, and she’d be lost again. She wanted her laptop, noise-canceling earphones, and a couple of hours to make some progress.

She tried to explore her plot, but she couldn’t think without a pen in her hand. She didn’t realize she was scribbling on her leg with her finger until Roth dropped a small booklet and pen on her lap. He seemed absorbed in his phone call, but the notebook and pen suggested differently.This means nothing, she told herself again as she eagerly flipped through pages listed with figures, acronyms, and names. His notes looked like math formulas from a mad scientist. When she found a fresh page, she began to write.

By the time they pulled up to 432 Park Avenue, she was completely immersed in her story. She stepped out of the SUV and was pulled to a stop by Roth.

“I have a meeting in Boston,” he said.

“Okay,” she said distractedly.

“There’s a restaurant you can order from or a five-star chef on call for dinner. I don’t know when I’ll be back.”

When she tried to walk away, he wrapped an arm around her waist and drew her against him.

“Kiss me,” he ordered.

She looked up, eyes narrowed. “You can’t just demand—”

He covered her mouth with his. He ripped her out of her fictional world and slammed her back into the real one with such speed that she felt dizzy. When he detached his mouth from hers, she was aroused and annoyed, knowing he wasn’t going to do anything about it.

“Don’t bother wearing anything to bed,” he said before he slipped back into the SUV.

She watched it drive away before she turned and found Johan and a small crowd watching her. She cleared her throat and marched into the lobby. Johan followed, weighed down by all her belongings. Fucking Roth. He was trying to mess with her head.

Johan didn’t say a word as he rode the elevator with her. When they reached the penthouse, she walked into the massive living room and was entranced by the setting sun.

“Ms. Hennessy?” Johan said.

“Jasmine,” she said quietly.

“Jasmine, is there anything you need from me?”

She turned and saw her bags were missing. “Where’s my stuff?”

“I put them in the master bedroom. The housekeeper already unpacked your things we brought from the hotel.” When she grimaced, he took a step toward the hallway. “Should I…?”

“No, that’s fine. I’ll move them. Thank you.”

He pointed at a phone. “My number is on the notepad along with the restaurant. Press zero if you want to order anything and number two for the housekeeper. She has an apartment in the building and is on call.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

He inclined his head and boarded the elevator. She perched on the window seat and watched the sun go down. One day made a world of difference. Polara had been born, and she was now engaged to her ex-husband. She pulled her phone out of her pocket and called Colette.

“How are you doing?” she asked.

“I’m exhausted. I can’t wait to get out of here,” Colette said wearily.

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