What was he up to downstairs before he came upstairs?
The fact that I hadn’t heard him knocking is terrifying. What if he was a murderer whose intention was to tie me up and do horrible things?
I shiver, pushing the thought out of my brain and focusing on the man sitting across from me—uninvited, I might add.
He’s massive.
And yes, I did my research but not a ton, and I had pictured him differently in my head. I wasn’t expecting him to be so massive.How on earth has he shoved his large body through the window without making any sounds?
I stare at him, unable to decide if he’s a creep or just crass. I’m unfamiliar with either personality trait, considering I prefer not to associate with assholes.
My vibe is chill and relaxed—not full throttle and “say whatever dumb shit comes to my mind.”
Like he does.
The man has no filter and has insulted me several times already, feet propped up on my desk as if he owns the place.
I take a deep breath in.
Let it out.
Remember: the man is paying your rent for the next three months, and he’s only staying for two weeks, I remind myself as my eyes home in on the toe of his cowboy boots.Deep breath in,Posey. Deep breath out. It’s two weeks.
“I didn’t see supper downstairs,” he says at long last, that Southern twang unfamiliar. “My stomach is growlin’.”
Growlin’?
Don’t you dare crack a smile, Posey Kettner. Get a grip.He can’t help himself. The accent is natural.
I raise a brow and level him with a blank stare. “OH? Am I supposed to feed you?”
He tilts his head as if to say, yes, you were supposed to feed me—but I can see him actually thinking about the next words out of his mouth.
“My agent sent a dietary list?”
Yes, I’m aware.
The list came in a large manila envelope in the mail, one I promptly tossed in the trash.
“He did.”
I’m not this man’s personal assistant. It is not my job to grocery shop, cook for him, clean up after him, or make sure he doesn’t starve.
When Duke raises his brows, I lean back against the desk chair and cross my arms, much like I fancy a headmaster at a private boarding school would.
“I assumed you only needed a place to sleep at night. I didn’t realize you thought you were also getting a personal assistant.” I count to ten for patience. “I hear Delivery Dash is extremely efficient. You should try it. The first few deliveries are usually free.”
“Are you jokin’ with me right now?”
My mouth wants to smile, but I won’t allow it to. “No, I’m not joking with you.”
We assess one another, he and I, my heart still beating out of my chest—adrenaline still rushing from the fright, and the sight of his large form taking up most of the air in my office.
Molly’s former office.
Molly was my roommate and is currently the girlfriend of Duke’s agent, Eli Cohen, who needed me to do him a favor and play host to one of his new megastar clients. Duke Colter is one of the most famous football players in the world and about to become the highest paid.
He also made the controversial decision to switch teams after his second year—and after his first Super Bowl win.