“At least let me take you home.”
But my girl is stubborn to the bone. She shakes her head once adamantly. “I’ll call an Uber. Goodbye, César.” Her voice is tight, controlled in that way she gets when she’s trying not to feel too much. Before I can get a single word out, she turns her back on me.
My hand twitches, half-lifting to stop her, but she’s already moving to the door.
It all happens too fast.
One moment she’s in front of me, eyes wide and mouth trembling with everything she won’t say—and the next, she’s gone. She flees for the door like it might save her from what just happened between us.
I don’t react. Not right away. My brain lags, struggling to make sense of it. Did I say too much? Was it the truth that scared her, or the way I said it?
The door opens with a rush of cool night air.
She doesn’t look back.
Just like that Lety slips through my fingers. Gone. And all I can do is stand there, surrounded by the lingering scent of her perfume and the aftertaste of a kiss that meant more to me than it ever should have.
I stare at the door long after it clicks shut.
I should go after her.
Iwantto go after her.
But I don’t.
Because for the first time in a long time, I don’t know how. But I make a silent vow to myself to give Lety the time to think. Because she will be mine.
CHAPTER6
FLESH AND FIRE
Lety
Idon’t go back to work for a week. After I ran out of César’s house upon the revelation of him being DineroDaddy, César texted to ask me if I made it home safe and he has called me three times. I didn’t answer, but he could see I read the message. After the third day, I turned my phone off. I’m not certain if I fear he’ll continue to call, or if I fear he won’t. It’s fucked up, but I blame him for these thoughts raging through my mind. He dropped a fucking bombshell on me, and now I’m left to pick up the fucking pieces.
César is DineroDaddy. He knows everything. Has seeneverything. Being in this industry, I’ve always known that it was only a matter of time before someone from my personal life found out about my online presence. I just never expected it to be my boss. The man who can have any woman he wants. I’ve known men like him my whole life. Hell, I’ve dated men like him and suffered broken heart after broken heart because of them.
I can’t have that again. I refuse.
And yet, my traitorous body longs to be close to César again. To be kissed like I’m his obsession and he can’t get enough of me. Remembering the way my body was primed and heated for him—I had been so close to throwing my inhibitions out the window and letting my boss fuck me against the wall. Even thinking about his hands on me has my nipples hardening and clit begging to be touched.
The most shocking part of being at his house wasn’t hearing him say he wanted to fuck me. Honestly, I’d half expected that after everything he said. But finding out he’d been watching me? That definitely rattled me—and maybe turned me on a little—then confused the hell out of me. But even that didn’t compare to what really knocked the air from my lungs.
He didn’t just want a night with me. He didn’t just want my body.
He wantedme.
All of me. Every guarded piece I’ve never let anyone touch. No games. No walls. No camera. No pretending this was just some casual thing. He wanted somethingreal—something raw. And I hadn’t seen that coming. Not from him. He wasn’t a relationship man, and I couldn’t be a relationship woman. Things would get cloudy and messy too quickly.
I grab my full glass of chardonnay, taking a sip. I can’t avoid him forever. Not unless I want to quit my job, and I don’t. César said he wouldn’t fire me, but I can’t bank on that. I’ve had one too many vicious boyfriends that would do anything to get back on me. I don’t think César would stoop to that level, but I’ve been burned in the past, and I’m not eager to relive that pain.
So, I need to make a decision, and fast.
Right after I finish a glass of chardonnay. Or two.
* * *
The office is unusuallyhectic for a Friday. Normally, by this time, half the staff has already dipped out early, leaving the place quiet and half-empty. But today? Everyone’s still here, and it’s chaos. Phones are ringing nonstop, heels clack against the tile as people rush past, and the hum of overlapping conversations makes it hard to think straight.
