at as she sank her teeth into her lower lip. "J

hile his steady eyes lingered on her fac

ase sharpening her voice. "Then who are

Jared let out a l

nst the wall, an indolent smile hovering at the corn

inking stare, Alicia re

quiet pressure in his presence-screamed authority f

gle truth, she found herself backed int

ward. "I don't know why you stepped in for me back there, but whatever Michael offered you, I'll

his eyes as Jared adva

predatory stare pinned her in place, sendin

ted a hand between them,

tips grazing her skin in a way that fe

rolled from his chest as he tilted his head. "So

ed from Alicia's che

istant look. "Keep this in mind! Except when we're

rched, his careless smile carrying the air of someone h

came painfully clear that she

nation cleared Jared to leave, and th

are floor, her expression unyielding as she laid down

red remained loose and unbothered as he looked a

essed the point. "Wouldn't it look strang

iced an invisible boundary straight down the mattress with her hand.

wer, a sudden ringtone

reen, Alicia knit her eyebrows. She stepp

rms cutting ties with Gill Group out of nowhere?" Renee Mills'

ver the phone, "It's complicated. Let's

n. I'll swing by

Alicia pivoted toward

tep, a steady, heated gri

her, his tall frame leaning in, hi

ve touched his mouth. "Do you wa

ears like a feather, playful

hand free, her face turning glacial. "Don't for

her cane and walked off

ugh Jared's eyes as his phone

his expression darkened, and h

w you speak to your aunt now, you little menace? I've