Page 49 of Arrogant Puck

I round the corner and hold out her notebook. “Here.”

She’s nervous as hell as she takes it. “I’m so sorry.”

She turns and leaves without another word or glance.

My heart races as I watch her leave.

Hmm.

Another feeling.

Chapter 17

When I walk into the training facility the next morning, Riley’s office is empty. Not just empty—stripped. His diplomas are gone from the walls, his coffee mug missing from the desk, even the small succulent he kept by his computer has vanished.

Two women in identical navy suits are waiting for me. HR.

“Ms. Monroe? Can you sit down, please?” Mrs. Martinez says.

My legs feel unsteady as I lower myself into the chair across from Riley’s—no, not Riley’s anymore—desk. Mrs. Martinez pulls out a tablet, her expression carefully neutral.

“Mr. Smith submitted his resignation last night, effective immediately. We’re going to need you to step into his role temporarily until we can find a suitable replacement.”

I gasp. “He resigned?”

“Personal reasons,” the younger woman says, her tone suggesting no further questions will be entertained. “Can we count on you to handle this for today?”

I nod numbly, though inside I’m reeling. Riley didn’t resign. He ran. Slater’s threats worked exactly like he knew they would, and now I’m left to pick up the pieces.

After HR leaves with their paperwork and promises to “be in touch,” I sit alone in the office that’s mine for the day. My phone buzzes with a text from my roommate Emma.

The photo that fills my screen makes my stomach clench. Emma at some music festival, her chest barely covered by bright pink tape arranged in X’s over her nipples, her smile wide and carefree.

Why is she sending me this?

This is so weird.

“Is that the boyfriend?”

I nearly drop my phone. Slater is standing in the doorway, his massive frame filling the space, and I realize I didn’t hear him come in. My hands shake as I quickly lock the screen of my phone.

“My roommate,” I manage to say, hating how breathless I sound.

His presence is overwhelming. I saw his dick last night, and my pulse is out of control right now.

Heat floods my cheeks. “Can I help you?”

He cocks his head, studying me with those dark eyes that seem to see too much. “You can.”

Shit.

My face burns as quickly my mind runs to being tied up, blindfolded, and—

He steps into the office and shuts the door behind him with a soft click.

There’s a sheer panic that overtakes me. He can’t be doing this to me right now.

“Your turn,” he says wickedly.

---