9
Skye
Something’s bothering Jared.
More than the daily challenges of being a grumpy, sometimes-tender billionaire.
Did I push too far the other night when I told him to let the baggage go? My belly churns at the thought that I may have overstepped.
I go from room to room looking for him after I’m done with my class. Mrs. Olsteen pushed me harder than ever today, and my leggings and tank are sticky with sweat.
I’m hoping to coax Jared into the shower with me. Maybe even talk him into giving me one of those amazing foot massages. Not that it takes much to talk him into any possibility of getting his hands on my body.
I grin as I exit the elevator on Penthouse Five.
Jared’s assistant, Everly, looks up and smiles when he sees me. “Evil Task Mistress putting you through your paces?” he asks, gesturing at my damp clothes.
“You know it. One of these days I’ll nail every task and watch her eat crow.”
He laughs. “Let me know when it happens. I’ll break out the champagne.”
“Promise.” I glance at Jared’s office door. “Is he in?”
Everly shakes his head. “He’s in the gym, but Mason was looking for him to take a conference call so I’m guessing he’ll be down shortly. Go in and wait.”
“Thanks.” I head in and plunk down on the couch, grimacing at the stickiness of my skin against the cool leather. I’d feel bad for dripping all over the expensive leather if Jared and I hadn’t done much worse on it.
Noelle’s cleaning crew have become quite adept at making cum stains disappear.
I’m giggling to myself at the deviant thought when I hear a bloop of a text message.
I ignore it.
But when the first is followed by several more and I don’t see a phone on Jared’s desk, curiosity gets the better of me.
I bite my lip and approach the desk and realize the phone is in the drawer.
Well, I’m definitely not going to snoop through his drawers. I turn to head back to the couch but freeze when a familiar ringtone stops me in my tracks.
It’s the ringtone I’ve programmed for Dad.
I haven’t asked Jared to return my phone recently because I’m hoping the good man I know Jared Prince to be deep down, will surface long enough for him to resolve the situation between him and Dad.
I bite my thumbnail in a moment of indecision before I dive for the drawer. The call rings off before I can answer it but I see dozens of missed calls and text messages on the home screen.
The first text is dated five days after Jared had me brought here.
It hurts to know Dad didn’t attempt to reach me for almost a week. He’s asking where I am, why I’m not answering the phone at the house.
Then the texts turn irritated that I’m not answering.
He leaves the first voicemail two days after his text.
Hey Skye, it’s Dad. Sorry I’ve been out of touch. I just needed to get away for a while. Work issues. I’m not sure when I’ll be back but call me when you get this message.
One a day later:Skye, not sure what’s going on with you. You’re not answering my texts or calls. Call me back, would you? It’s Dad.
Later on that day:Skye, I’ve just activated your Find My Phone. It says you’re at Jared Prince’s address? What the hell? Call me back!