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Sitting up, Cassius grabbed her by her hips. “Hold up. You have something you want to get off your chest?”

Gathering her clothes, Zelina kept her composure. “Nope. This is our agreement when you moved to Brighton Bay, right? You flew me out when you needed a distraction, we fuck, and you sent me back home. And it’s the same cycle now just less traveling time since we’re in the same city.”

“The last time I checked, we both benefit from that arrangement. Or am I wrong?” he raised an eyebrow.

“Whatever you say is what it is, Cass,” Zelina remarked, strapping on her bra before tugging on her shirt. “Hasn’t that always been the case?”

Cassius stood, and didn’t miss that Zelina’s eyes immediately dropped to his dick.

“If you have a problem, Zelina, then speak your mind. You’ve never had a problem with it before.”

“There’s no point in speaking my mind when the only thing that matters is what you want.”

“Bruh,” he laughed, trying to ease the tense moment. “What the fuck just happened? Everything was cool and then⁠—”

The sound of his phone buzzing interrupted him, providing a much-needed escape from the awkward moment. Snatching his boxers from the floor, Cassius grabbed his phone to look at the camera to see who was at the gate. When he saw who was on the other side, however, he pressed the button to grant them access.

“Don’t worry, I’ll be dressed and out before whoever else you have lined up to come through gets to the door.”

“Zelina, quit being fucking dramatic,” he fussed. “I’ll be right back. Hopefully, you’ll have found your words and can tell me what your problem is instead of acting like we haven’t known each other for years.”

Keeping an eye on the camera via his phone, Cassius dropped his boxers and stalked to the door. He wore a smirk while covering himself with one hand and yanking the door open with the other to reveal Detective Calloway on the other side.

“What’s up, Detective. How can I help you?”

“What the hell, Farina!?” she snarled, turning her back. “I should fucking arrest you.”

“You’re the one who popped up at my house unannounced. I figured it was because you saw something you liked the other night and came for a test ride.”

“Fuckin’ typical,” Zelina sneered from behind him as she brushed past. “FYI, I can’t find my panties. I guess that’s how good you fucked me out of them.”

Shaking his head, Cassius fought the urge to laugh at her back. After freaking out on him for reasons she still hadn’t explained, she couldn’t resist the urge to let another woman know that she was, in some way, tied to him.

“Do you mind putting some clothes on?”

“Do you mind telling me why the fuck you’re at my house?”

With her back still to him, Iris released an annoyed sigh. “I heard you took up permanent residence in town.”

“And what? You’re the welcome committee?”

“No,” she turned around, this time her eyes planted firmly on his face. “I wanted to make sure I told you face-to-face that I’m watching you.”

“Then I’ll continue to do everything in my power to ensure you enjoy the view, Calloway,” Cassius smarted before closing the door in her face.

“Damn, you’re beautiful.” The man seated across from Aella grinned, sitting back in his chair.

They were seated in a semi-private outdoor area of The Burlap Table, which offered privacy but allowed Smoke to reach her quickly in case things went left. And from how the other party in the meeting eyed her, Aella fully anticipated things going south.

Knowing where the conversation was going, her thoughts returned to part of her earlier conversation with Victoria. If this were the brand of man God created to protect and provide, she’d be better off on her own.

“Thanks.” She replied dryly, removing her sunglasses and placing them on the table. “So, it’s come to my understanding that the deliverables for the project you were contracted for haven’t been⁠—”

“Damn, we’re jumping straight to business?” he dragged his tongue across his bottom lip while eyeing her sensually. “I was hoping for the opportunity to enjoy my view.”

“My time is money,” Aella delivered her words with a venom that visibly rattled the man sitting across from her. “And as of right now, you’ve wasted a good amount of it. The contract you signed stated that if you didn’t meet your deadline, you’re responsible for reimbursing my company for wasted time and resources. By my last count, between your excuses and extensions, you’re sitting at a current total of around 10,000. And while I could have taken immediate legal action, I wanted to speak face-to-face to see if we could come to a resolution.”

He tried to force an easygoing grin as he responded. “Come on, gorgeous. Did you really come here to talk about this? I’m trying to get to know you a little bit. I’d think a woman like you would⁠—”