ed up a meeting with a client when

, she paused, recalling who she had

name is Morgan. Dude's got a real attitude too.

y

ooled. "I'm no

ut the moment she stepped outside the building, there he was-Ryan

with blame. "Carol, haven't you caused enough drama? Yeah, I messed up, did what all guys do

ofter this time. "Look, I'm here to make peace, Carol. Let's stop this. Let's ge

e Carol

thy, her eyes practically dripping with disgust. "Ryan, s

out there. Spare me the ego trip. My marriage had nothing to

him hard, his face twitching between rage and embarrass

igh and mighty! You think you're some kind of queen now, huh? Landed a rich guy? That sickly los

ma

his face, loud and cris

rom the hit, her eyes

ruggling to process what just happened. The

and back, aimi

ively, waiting for impa

d rang out, followed b

ing his side in pain. A firm arm was wrapped around her waist,

from him was enough to make anyone freeze. He didn't say a word, just stood there, expr

he police Carol had preemptively called arrived,

ance. He simply turned to Jack an

red, "Officer, Ms. Bennett has stated she doesn't w

rd the Bentley parked nearby. Once they were in th

a teasing smile playing on her lips. "Mr. Mitc

es locked on the road ahead, he remarked fl

didn't land a hit, did he? You were there... keeping me sa

s calm, but there was weight behind it. "People like him need to le

roze fo

lf-protection? Or... was t

and cheery. "Got it. Thanks for

attitude, but he didn't argue. Just then, Jack got

rol noticed Ethan's steps halt ever so slight

e a warning, but

, "Loud and clear~ I'l

smile fade. She rubbed her cheeks, sor

use this mess as an excuse

he d

ht seem, handled things sharply, decisivel

ses. Yet here he was, throwing the Mitche

not letting it get dragged through tabloid trash. But st

ng was un

problems solo. Never once did she think some

e their whole "arrangement," she couldn't d

t feel h

ready to sketch. But her thoughts kept drifting, her

Ethan's voice e

that putting hands on you comes

No warning, just st

ough sketch of Ethan's profile taking shape on the screen. Just a few

She hit delete in a snap, c

slightly burning, and flung herself onto th

snap ou