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“I haven’t had time—”

“It’s been over a week!” Her accusation hits the intended mark.

“Fine, but I’ve been busy.”

“Stalking the little blonde whore? Remember to think with the head not in your pants for a change,” she warns, pissing me off. She knows me too well.

“Jealous?” I laugh, just to irritate her. She remains silent.

“How did you hear about James?” I ask, avoiding any more talk of Scarlett or my dick.

“I have eyes and ears in the city still.” She’s the one laughing now. A raspy growl that turns into a hacking cough.

I know better than to ask if she’s okay. We both know she’s not.

“Well, then you know he collapsed. They think it was a mild stroke. He’s not responsive and supposedly being transferred to a facility near the estate. If you could help me nail down a name, that would be great. I’d love to pay him a visit.” I watch as a crowd from inside the attorney’s office leaves for lunch. Perfect timing. Please let Miranda be here.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” she warns.

“I won’t. I’m actually walking into the attorney’s office now.”

“Like they’re just going to hand that kind of information over.” I can hear her rolling her eyes.

“You underestimate me.” I end the call and silence my mobile.

The office appears to be nearly empty—this floor anyway. Then I see Miranda rounding the corner with a cup-o-soup in her hand, looking down as she walks.

“Hey, gorgeous.” I get her attention, and she nearly jumps out of her skin. “Sorry, love. Didn’t mean to give you a fright.” I reach out to steady her.

“What are you doing here? How did you…?” she questions, skeptical.

“You told me last night you worked here,” I offer. She accepts this answer, and I run my hand through my hair. Women love that shit.

“Last night. God, what happened? Did we—was I?” She blushes as she steps behind her desk. “We didn’t do that.” She looks relieved. “Yet,” I add, causing her cheeks to flame a deeper red.

“I actually stopped by thinking you may need these,” I tell her, setting a bottle of aspirin on the counter.

“Uh, thanks. That’s very sweet.” She takes the pills and drops them onto her desk.

“So, this is where you work?” I act interested.

“Yeah. I’m in my final year at university, studying law.” I give her a sideways smile.

“Brains and beauty.” I wink, but she remains silent.

“Is there anything else?” she asks. She innocently sucks on her lip, the spark of interest there, but she’s not going to make the first move.

“Well, is there someplace somewhere more private we could…talk? Like maybe your boss’s office?”

“Ummm, I’m not sure we should. They’ll be back soon.” She twirls her hair around her finger, not entirely oblivious to the art of seduction.

“Look, I’m sure you’re very good at your job, and I can see how serious you take it. I can tell you’re very thorough, but I can be very thorough too.” She walks around the desk and grabs my hand.

“Follow me.” She leads me up a staircase to a heavy wooden door at the end of the hall. Once inside, I press her against the door and waste no time putting my hands in her hair and letting my tongue taste her tan skin under her ear as I click the lock into place.

She moans and falls against me.

Pulling back, I tuck a lock of hair behind her ear, and she nearly purrs into my hand