Page 18 of King

On water.

King laughed outright, standing up as she sputtered, her face heating to an embarrassing degree.

“Careful now,” he teased, patting the top of her head like she washelpless.“Wouldn’t want you passing out before you finish sorting all this.”

Ella scowled at him, glaring up from where she still sat on the floor. “I don’t think I likeyou very much.”

King grinned, reaching for the door. “Sure you do, baby.”

Ella threw a can of corn at him as he walked away.

And the cocky man caught it without even turning around and chuckled.

Crap. She was in way over her head.

Later that day, she was lost in her work when a familiar deep voice interrupted her thoughts.

“Dollface.”

She looked up, her heart giving its usualflutter as King leaned against the doorframe of her tiny office. His presence was always effortlessly commanding, like he belonged in every room he walked into.

“Hi,” she replied. “What’s up?”

“Remi texted me.”

Ella blinked. “Remi?”

Remi was the goth Little at the BBQ. Even though the woman had been dressed head to toe in black, she was just like all the other Littles. Bubbly, playful, and friendly. All the girls had been. Ella had stuck close to King the entire night, but whenever they were near her, they’d included her in their conversations and had even mentioned their book club to her.

King nodded. “She wants your number.”

Ella’s breath caught.

Remi wants my number?

Her stomach flipped. In New York, Ella had known other women, but she’d never called them friends. Women in her family’s social circles were never more than acquaintances. People they were supposed to rub elbows with at fancy events. It had been lonely living like that.

She was pretty sure Remi and the other women were the total opposite of the people she’d known back home. They thrived on real connections, and Ella wanted to be part of that. Was that why Remi wanted her number? Maybe?

“Oh.” She shifted in her seat, suddenly feeling shy. “She—she does?”

King arched a brow as he looked at her curiously. “Is… that a problem? I can tell her no.”

“No! I mean—” She cleared her throat, trying to play it cool. “You can give it to her.”

King chuckled, shaking his head as he pushed off the doorframe. “Okay, dollface. Don’t forget to drink your water.”

And just like that, he was gone, leaving Ella staring at his muscular backside. She bet she could bounce a quarter off his firm ass. The thought made her giggle out loud as she turned back to her laptop.

A few minutes later, her screen lit up with a new message.

Remi:Hi! This is Remi—King gave me your number. Would you want to come over tonight? We’re having our book club at the clubhouse.

Ella grinned, her excitement bubbling over as she quickly typed back.

Ella:I’d love to! What time?

Remi responded immediately, sending over details. Ella couldn’t stop smiling. She hadplans. Withfriends.

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