“Hey,” Hudson says, casual, like he has no idea his brother was dirty talking me into madness seconds ago.
“Hi.” I force a smile, lifting my phone between us. “Just on hold with a supplier,” I manage.
Hudson looks at his watch and raises a brow, like he knows most suppliers will almost certainly be closed at this time.
“Looks like you’re in for the long haul,” he says mildly, but his brow quirks higher.
Before I can respond, Zach’s voice hums in my ear. “Tell him it’s a special supplier,” he says, low and smug. “The kind that deals in very specific… needs.”
My throat goes dry. I give a weak laugh that probably sounds deranged. “Yeah. Very special supplier,” I mumble, nodding like an idiot.
Hudson narrows his eyes. “Right.”
I pull my gaze away. This is shockingly embarrassing. Yet in a weird way, it’s fun. I hear Zach chuckle again, like he’s planning something even worse. “Oh, I’m number one in the queue,” I say chirpily. “I’m going to head up to my apartment so they can hear exactly what I think of their… terrible service.”
“Terrible service,” Zach murmurs in my ear, his voice dark and amused. “Funny, because I was thinking about how good mine’s going to be. I’m going to take my time with you, make sure every second counts. You won’t be able to walk straight after I’m done fixing your… complaint.”
My lips part, but nothing comes out. Heat floods myskin, pooling low in my stomach. I force a bright smile at Hudson, who looks vaguely alarmed now. “Yep. Definitely filing a complaint,” I say, my voice about an octave too high. “Big one.HUGE.”
Hudson gives me a slow blink, like he’s trying to figure out if I’m high on something very illegal. “Okay then. Good luck with that.” He tips his head, shaking it slightly, as he walks away.
The second he’s out of earshot, I let out a strangled breath and bring the phone back to my ear. “I can’t believe you made me do that,” I whisper.
Zach’s laugh rolls through the line, low and smug. “You were perfect. And I bet you’re still blushing.”
“How did you know?” I ask, even though I definitely am. “Don’t tell me you’re here watching me again.” I look around, but there’s definitely no sign of him this time.
“I don’t have to be there to know,” he says, that low rumble in his voice again. “I’m going to hang up,” he says, voice low and steady. “Then you’re going to send me a picture of your blush, so I can look at it later… when I’m thinking about how it’ll feel to chase you.”
“Zach—” I whisper, because God, I’m aching again.
“Do it,” he says, quieter. “Then get some rest. You’ll need it. Because soon…”
He trails off, but I know what he means. Soon I’ll be running. He’ll be chasing me.
The line goes dead before I can say anything else.
sixteen
ZACH
“God, this décor is dated,” Autumn says, wrinkling her nose at the wallpaper in my living area like it personally offended her. “You really should let me draw up some plans to improve it.”
“It’s a place to sleep, not a show apartment,” I tell her, scrolling through my phone. “And it’s not even mine. Direct your criticism to the management.”
Her voice buzzes in the background, but my brain’s somewhere else. On the photo Sadie sent me the other night. On the way her cheeks were flushed pink as she stared into the camera. I’ve looked at it more times than I’d admit to anyone, especially my sister.
“Yeah well it needs refreshing. Gray is so three years ago.” Autumn props her elbows on the back of the couch and leans over, barely giving me time to lock my screen and shove it in my pocket.
“Jesus,” I say, frowning at how close she is. “Why are you here anyway?”
“I’m just visiting my brother.” She pouts. “Is there something wrong with that?”
“No. But you could have called.”
“And you wouldn’t have answered.” She picks up a throw pillow and studies it like it’s a crime scene. “I can’t believe this is still here. Hudson should’ve let me update this place years ago.”
My phone buzzes in my pocket with the call I’ve been expecting. Sadie’s been on the mainland today, in meetings with a supplier, something to do with special edition books. I have no idea what they are, but apparently, readers lose their minds over them. I slip my hand into my pocket, press my thumb against the side button, and send the call straight to voicemail before Autumn can notice.
