I staredat the cell phone ringing on my desk; Ryan Mitchell’s name was displayed across the screen. This was about to become much more real. Ryan was Zander. I always knew he was, but now it could get complicated.
Last night when I ended the call immediately after my fuck up, I went straight to bed. No work was done, and my day had been all the worse for it. I’d acted like an immature idiot, and the longer I was awake dwelling on it the more embarrassed I would be. At the time, a busier day seemed less painful.
Despite the horrifying ending, the phone sex was hotter than any real sex I’d ever had. I slept like the dead and woke up ready to go at five a.m. When I rolled over and checked my phone, I was worried when I saw I hadn’t gotten a text or anything from Zander. As the day dragged on, my nerves were out in full force, and the phone call was the culmination. I could only hope I didn’t get fired, or worse, slapped with a disciplinary action if the CFP board found out I’d had a less than professional encounter with a client.
I didn’t know what I was going to say or which directionthis was going to go, but sighing, I picked up the phone and swiped the green icon to accept the call.
“Raven Lovelace.” I guessed it didn’t hurt to be formal. He was technically my client after all.
“Hi, Raven. How was your day?”
His voice swept over me, and the tension instantly left my body. He made me feel so safe and relaxed. Wait, did he just ask me how my day was?
“Um, hi, Mr. Mitchell. It was productive. Yours?” God, I was back to not knowing how to speak like an adult.
“Same,” he mused. “All right, now that the awkwardness is out of the way, let’s address the elephant in the room.”
I laughed nervously at his frankness. “Yeah, I’m a cut to the chase kind of woman.”
He chuckled back. “Really? I pegged you as someone who would beat around the bush and take an extremely long time to make a point.”
I scoffed at his words. So he was funny, too. Dammit.
“Okay, Mr. Sarcasm. Go ahead with what you wanted to say.”
He drew in an audible breath. “Well, it’s clear that you connected the dots and figured out who I am.”
“Yes. It didn’t take me long. You just so happened to call the one financial firm whose owner listens to romance audiobooks. I would know your voice anywhere.” Shit, I didn’t mean to say that.
A sharp intake of breath came through the speaker. “I’m flattered you knew of my work. I’d be interested to know which book is your favorite.” The charm mixed with his seductive tone had to be every woman’s dream.
“I didn’t used to listen to the other stuff though,” I blurted for some godforsaken reason. My cheeks turned red, and I almost groaned.
He laughed. God, his laugh was even sexy. “Maybe not before, but you do now.”
“That's neither here nor there.” Fuck, this was going sideways. I closed my eyes and followed my gut. “Look, Mr. Mitchell. I’m not sure how or why you figured out my account name, and I admit I crossed a line, but I would very much like to keep your business, which I’m assuming is the reason for your call.”
He was quiet after my rush of words. When he finally spoke, goosebumps festered on my skin. “I thought I was the one who was supposed to be talking?” he asked, then continued. “Actually, Raven, I wasn’t calling to discuss my accounts at all. I was calling to clear some things up before we move forward.”
My jaw slackened. He…what? “I’m not sure I understand, Mr. Mitchell.”
“Please don’t call me by my last name, Raven. I think we’re past that,” he said through gritted teeth.
My annoyance flared. “Well, what should I call you then? Ryan? Or do you prefer Zander?”
“Depends on the situation, but for the most part, call me Ryan.” Little did he know, I’d probably call him anything he wanted if he asked.
“Fine then,Ryan. What can I help you with?” I didn’t have time for this, whatever this was.
His voice dropped lower and exuded authority. “You can help me by losing the attitude, first of all.”
Despite my irritation, there went the lady bits.
“Take a deep breath, and let your frustration go,” he soothed at my silence.
Fuck, this man knew exactly what he was doing, and frankly, I was tired of resisting. I breathed in and out like he said, making the breaths audible so he heard.
“Better now?”
