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I need to calm down.
It was just sex.
Than why did it feel so fucking good and real and intimate, in a way that’s digging into me and won’t let go?
She wasn’t just sexy. She was also funny and smart. Cute and fun. The hint of nervousness slayed me and I was basically besotted from there on in.
I’ve found other women attractive, of course, but their appeal always quickly—too quickly—became overshadowed by the pettiness and the demands. The catty neediness. The grasping meanness.
Like with Rylee. I knew almost instantly that I could never love her.
What are you even thinking right now?
With Tex, it was like she got something about me. She wanted to please me, and when I pleased her, the most exquisite creature, it felt like the best fucking thing in the world was happening to both of us. She made me feel like the luckiest man alive and the king of the world. She made me feel invincible.
Fuck, I need to calm down.
I head for the desk.
“Checking out, Mr. Maddox?” the guy behind the desk asks me.
“Yes.”
“Did you enjoy your stay?”
“Yes. Listen, a girl checked out just a short time ago. She’s…from Texas. Brown hair with sort of golden highlights. A few freckles.” Listen to yourself, man. “She was here for the conference.”
I sound ridiculous but the guy is diplomatic. “I’m sorry, Mr. Maddox. There were four hundred conference attendees staying here this weekend and most of them have checked out this morning.”
“Right.”
“I hope you’ll come stay with us again, Mr. Maddox.”
I mutter something I hope is appropriate as I rush toward the front door.
My phone rings in my pocket and for a split second a flicker of hope pricks at the back of my soul—but it’s impossible. She doesn’t know my number.
It’s Noah. “Hey.”
“Hey, bro. How’s Hawaii?” He sounds tired.
“It’s fucking good.”
My brother sounds almost surprised by my answer. “Must be if you decided to stay an extra night. Did you manage to meet up with Ty?”
“Yeah. He’s fine. He trusts us, which is reassuring. If he does, others will too, hopefully.”
“We’ve had a call from the Gleeson Fund,” Noah says grimly. “They’ve heard a rumor about potential insider trading and they want a statement.”
This is terrible news, obviously. But I’m distracted. I’m scanning the front of the hotel for Tex. “Have you given them one?”
“No. I wanted to talk to you first.” Shit. Tex really is gone. “Cash?”
“Yeah?”
“What do you want me to tell them?”
“Tell them we’re working around the clock to establish if there’s any basis to these claims. We will cooperate fully with any investigations that the SEC warrant necessary—which we’re confident they won’t. You can be honest, but for fuck’s sake, ask them to keep it quiet until we’ve isolated the incident and figured out if it’s legit. We’re innocent of the charges. If someone in our company isn’t, we’ll find them and prosecute them.”
