Micheal that I can’t read. Then he gives me a smile that makes my gut clench and heat pool between my legs.“No. We’re not. We’re actually behaving like decent human beings.”“And if we didn’t like each other, we wouldn’t have ended up having sex, would we?”“I don’t know about that. Desire and hate is a very fine line.” Heat flares in Micheal’s eyes as he looks over me. “I have wondered which side I’m on, but then I give up. Especially when I know what you’ve got.”How am I supposed to answer that? Especially when he’s looking at me like he wants to take my clothes off? I didn’t allow him to come in for sex, really.So why do I want to strip down right then and there?“We’re going to be here for a while. And while I can cope sitting on that couch, I don’t think it’s comfortable enough to sleep on.” Micheal shifts closer to me and brushes his hand against my waist. “How about I keep you warm tonight? I’m pretty good at that.”“Who have you been cuddling at night to get that review?”“

“I’m here. I’m here.” I bat her hand away. “Would you stop doing that?”“Well, if you will get distracted…”“I’m fine.” I take a deep breath and pick up my bag from the bed, slinging it over my shoulder. “Okay, let’s go. I want to get this over with, and I’m going to be late if we don’t get a move on.”“At least the snow’s melted enough so we can travel.” Helen leads the way to the door, shrugging on her coat and slinging her scarf around her neck. “And that you don’t need to go far. It would be tough if you made that appointment and couldn’t get there unless you started walking yesterday.”“With tennis rackets strapped to my feet as well,” I grunt, putting my bag down long enough to put my thick duffel coat on. It’s not exactly professional attire, but in this weather, I don’t give a damn. “I just hope he doesn’t dismiss me almost immediately.”“Of course, he’s not going to do that.”“You sound very sure of yourself.”Helen smiles as she opens the door.“Someone’s got to be optimist

Micheal “Are you kidding me?” Kenny stares at me in stunned amazement. “You actually slept with her knowing that she was your tenant?”I wince and wish I could turn the glass walls into something more solid to hide away from everyone especially my brother, who looks at me like I’ve gone mad.“I didn’t intend to go to her place to sleep with her. That wasn’t the plan at all.”“But it was the second time around. You went to her again!”“I…I don’t have an answer for that.”Kenny scoffs and shakes his head. He’s lying on the couch in my office while I slump behind my desk. Keef has gone to lunch, and I’m glad about that; she has been giving me odd looks all morning. I’m sure she’s telling her friends about this.So much for keeping things professional.“When I said you needed to go out and find someone, I didn’t mean someone technically under your control!”“It wasn’t intentional, Kenny! Would you stop making it sound like I purposefully went after her?”“You could have stopped long befo

Who knew I would get food poisoning from something I eat all the time? Helen said I needed to get out and have some fun, so we went to our usual haunt. The food is always excellent, and I loved it. Now, I regret it. It’s coming back with a vengeance.I can’t afford to have food poisoning. That would mean closing the store today. I don’t have anyone who can come in and cover for me today, not at short notice. Given the financial situation, I can’t afford to close.Damn, Micheal. The rage I’ve felt since I found out a month ago that he was my goddamn landlord is still there, simmering away and flaring to life whenever my thoughts drift toward him. And that ends up being a lot. I can’t believe I’m still thinking about the bastard after what he did.He lied to me. He could have told me the truth initially once he figured out what was happening. It was like he held all the cards and left me to guess everything on my own. I can’t believe I had sex with my landlord. Does he usually do this w

Why did Regina have to say something like that? Now, after trying to get Micheal out of my head, he was firmly in my mind and refusing to budge.Maybe shutting up a little earlier wouldn’t be a problem after all. Not if this headache that was building wouldn’t go away.MichealI’m exhausted when I finally pull into my driveway. This is far too much overtime, and I’m meant to be the boss. Why am I doing all the overtime? I know Katie isn’t too happy about it, and Mom is probably going to have a few choice words for me. She doesn’t mind looking after her granddaughter but has her own life to lead. I shouldn’t have to rely on her so much.Yet, whenever I slow down and do something that isn’t work, I’m reminded of Lucia and our confrontation. I can still see the pained look on her face and the anger as she left my office. Hell, even at work, I still recall what passed between us. It’s like I can’t get away from it.I want to go and look for her, try to apologize, and see what we can do be