Page 23 of The Contract

One moreremnantleft behind of the woman I should stop thinking about.

Ishouldn’tthink about the way she fit against me?—

Soft and warm.

The way her lips parted under mine.

The way she looked at me like sheknewexactly what she was doing—like she was playing the game andwinning.

But Ido.

And Ifucking hate it.

The call goes quiet for a second.

Then—

“You still there?”

I drag my gaze across the room, searching for anything else she left behind.

Nothing.

No forgotten earrings.

Not even afucking note.

It’s like she was never here.

Except she was.

Ifeelher absence, and it’sirritating as hell.

“Yeah,” I say, voice flat. “I’m here.”

Lucian is too perceptive for his own good.

“Alright, Moody Judy. You coming in, or should I start sending out condolence letters for your tragic demise?”

“I’ll be there in an hour.”

“Good. I hand-picked this contract for you myself. She’s sharp, elegant, knows how to play the game. She’ll be perfect.”

I drag a hand down my face.

“She better be.”

Lucian chuckles.

“See you soon, lover boy.”

The call ends before I can tell him to gofuck himself.

I slam the phone down a little too hard.

My chest is tight with something Irefuseto name.

I step inside the shower, hands braced against the marble wall, head bowed beneath the scalding spray.

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