Page 51 of Masked

His voice was even sexier while he read. She’d never heard of the person whose biography it was, but she loved it just the same. Soon her eyes were drifting closed, and she yawned and stretched.

“That sounds like a sleepy girl,” he said when he came to the end of a paragraph. “Keep your eyes closed and put your phone on the other pillow. I’ll stay here for a few more minutes.”

She did as he asked, and never remembered hearing him hang up.

The next morning, she woke with a smile at the memories of him reading to her. As she was getting ready for work, that smile stayed. And it stayed all the way until she arrived at the ACSL offices. Unfortunately, it slid away as soon as she walked in the front door, because Parker was waiting for her in the reception area.

“Damn it, Parker. Do I need to file a police report for stalking? You cannot be here.”

She had no problem standing up for herself, but he was making her uncomfortable.

“Reva, please. Just give me five minutes. Monica broke up with me.”

She dragged a finger down her cheek and frowned. “Aww you poor thing. Your mistress who you were cheating on me with broke up with you? How sad for you. Why do you want to talk to me so badly? I turned down your proposal, and you kicked me out. There is nothing left for us to talk about. What happened to you moving to New York?”

“It didn’t pan out. You can move back into the apartment. I’ll keep your rent the same.”

She blinked at him, hoping he would disappear. But he just stood there, staring back. “I’m sorry… you’ll… keep my rent the same?”

“My rent is going up. I’m just saying I wouldn’t pass that rent increase along to you.”

“Oh, how kind of you. Please leave.”

She turned to the receptionist and smiled. “Morning, Selena. Will you please see that Mr. Jasper finds his way out? I’ll be in my office. He is not welcome to follow me.”

“Yes, Ms. Calhoun. I’ll add him to the list.”

Reva stared at her for a second. “There’s a list?”

The receptionist smirked. “Oh, yes ma’am. It’s not very long. Just the real troublemakers that we call the police on if they show up again.”

Reva grinned. She liked this woman. “Excellent. Thank you.”

She rounded the receptionists desk and swiped her card to get her into the office area.

Two interns sat at desks in the common work area, and Jim’s office door was open, so she stuck her head in and waved. “Good morning, Jim. How are things looking today?”

“Things are going damn good. My oldest told me last night I’m going to be a grandpa in a few months.”

Reva grinned. “Oh, that’s so exciting. Congratulations.”

After an awkward pause, Reva gave a little wave and backed away. “I’ll be in my office working on a project for Gage Allard if you need me.”

She wondered if Gage would bring up Parker when they talked on the phone later. She wasn’t sure how she was comfortable telling him the details of her previous relationship, but it was probably better for him to have the details.

The phone on her desk rang with an indicator light that said it was coming from reception, and she picked up.

“Hey, Selena.”

“I’ve got a Gage Allard in the lobby asking to see you?”

“Speak of the devil. I was just about to pull up his file. Send him back, please.”

A few minutes later, a tall man in dark denim, an expensive button-up and a black cowboy hat appeared in the door. He took his hat off as he stepped inside.

“Morning, Reva. I had the most interesting conversation with Noah Jasper last night. And then a friend told me you showed up with him at the club the other night?”

She winced. “Is that OK? I never even thought about the fact that it might be a conflict of interest with my job here.”

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