Chapter 5
Azlyn flipped through her usual information and gossip sites, her fingers moving automatically across the keyboard.But she wasn’t paying attention.She’d built a believable online persona in several dark-site chat rooms to gain access to the juiciest industry gossip and tips.Normally, she loved the chase.
But not today.
She had four upcoming interviews to prep for, each one with a file waiting for her attention.She knew she should focus—she always focused—but her mind kept drifting.
What did she want to do instead?
She didn’t know.Nothing sounded appealing.
Except seeing Zayn again.
She missed him.Ridiculous, considering she’d left him only two hours ago.But all she wanted now was to sit across from him and keep talking.To hear the quiet rumble of his voice and watch the subtle expressions that played across his unfairly handsome face.
Azlyn told herself she didn’t need anything more.She understood who he was, what he represented.A man with a title, with obligations, with a public life she’d never belong in.
But that was a lie.
She wanted more.
She wanted to sit on his lap and purr like a kitten while he stroked her back and hair and whispered things that would melt her bones.She wanted to explore every inch of those broad shoulders, to kiss him until she forgot her own name.
She wanted him.
“Wasn’t that thebestinterview?”
Olivia burst into Azlyn’s sunlit office, radiant and giddy.She dropped into the chair across from Azlyn’s desk and sighed dramatically, tilting her head back and stretching her arms wide.
“I mean...he’s just so...hot!And charming!And funny!”
Azlyn blinked, trying to shove all mental images of Zayn doing unspeakable things to her into a deep, dark mental drawer.
Olivia’s head popped back up, her grin sharp with interest.“What was he like in private?And don’t youdaretry to tell me leaving with him after the interview was business-related.”
That toothy, megawatt grin widened.“I saw the way you were looking at him.More importantly, I saw the wayhecouldn’t stop looking atyou.Even during the interview, you stayed in his line of sight.He watched yourevery breath, Az.Don’t think I didn’t notice.”
Her eyes sparkled.“I’d be jealous, but honestly, you’re way overdue for a good serving of man.And youstolea wealthy, drop-dead gorgeous prince right out from under me, so obviously our friendship is ruined forever.”
Azlyn laughed, shaking her head.“You weren’t even into him.Not even a little.”
Olivia sniffed and gave an exaggerated shrug.“Imighthave been.If he’d looked at meonce.” She leaned forward again, her fake-wounded expression fading into a more serious kind of curiosity.“So?What’s he like when the cameras are off?Is he arrogant?A snob?Boring?Clueless?Come on—give me something.”
Azlyn tilted her head, actually considering the list.“He was...surprisingly nice.”
Olivia’s jaw dropped slightly.She stared, waiting for more.When none came, she groaned and threw her hands in the air.
“That’s it?You go out with the world’s most eligible bachelor andthat’sall you’re giving me?”She flopped back in the chair with a theatrical sigh.“You are no fun.”
“Sorry about that,” Azlyn chuckled, twirling her pen between her fingers.“I’m trying to come up with solid questions for Senator Intill’s documentary next week.He’s still insisting it was his wife who paid off the police.”
Olivia waved a dismissive hand.“We have plenty of time before we film that one.Why don’t you take some time off?You haven’t had a vacation in over two years.”
Azlyn rolled her eyes.“Yeah?Like you have?”
Olivia sniffed, full of theatrical offense.“I went to the Bahamas last February.”
Azlyn laughed.“And sat down with three different people to film interviews while you were there.I should know—I had three hours’ notice to prep the questions.”
