AllFreeNovel
Share Us
My aunt was not one to pack lightly. She was taking two duffle bags, three large suitcases, and a smaller one. She wasn’t all that thrilled to be flying to New York to help Kade, Empire’s other owner, but she said it was part of her job description.
She wasn’t sure how long she would be gone, so that meant she had packed her entire closet.
Helping her pull her bags outside, I stood out front with her and waited for the car.
“I wouldn’t have minded taking you to the airport.”
“I know, but this is easier. Now you can relax on your day off instead of running around that god-awful airport for me.”
I wanted to laugh at the thought of me relaxing, but my aunt wouldn’t understand the humor behind the words, and there was no way I was going to explain to her what had happened between Zander and me.
Not that I could technically explain it. I wasn’t exactly sure what Friday night had meant, but I was pretty sure I would not get any sort of explanation from Zander. Not that I was ever going to bring it up.
And then Saturday.
No.
I wasn’t going to think about how angry and completely turned on he had me when I went to his place.
I felt both relieved and anxious to have the day off. On the one hand, I didn’t have to see Zander or feel those brooding eyes follow me around the casino floor. But, on the other hand, having the entire day to sit around and obsess and analyze our little moment in his office and the way we talked to each other at his place the night before wasn’t exactly how I wanted to spend my day off.
I hated feeling so much confusion over Zander Hale. Never in a million years did I expect him to want me. He always seemed so angry and annoyed with me. But after watching him and seeing the desire in his eyes, there was no denying it.
Once, when I was younger, there was a boy named Jeffery who loved to pick on me at school. My mom used to tell me that he liked me and that was why he was so mean to me. Years later, Jeffery asked me on a date.
Mom was right.
And apparently, that notion extended from young boys to grown men.
Was Zander a jerk toward me because he wanted me so badly?
I liked to think so.
“What wrong?” Aunt Kennedy asked.
I blinked myself back to the present. “Huh? What? Nothing, why?”
“You’re frowning. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
I laughed. “Yes. I promise I’ll be fine. I was just thinking about work.”
That wasn’t a complete lie.
“And that makes you frown? You’re not having any problems, are you? Do I need to kick someone’s ass?”
“No, nothing like that at all. I actually really enjoy working at Empire. Everyone has been pretty cool so far.”
I hadn’t told my aunt about any of my run-ins with Zander Hale. I wasn’t about to cause problems between them. Plus, I knew I could handle his wrath.
“There’s the car now,” Aunt Kennedy said, and we stood there as it stopped in front of us.
Frank, the driver, got out and came around to help with the bags. Aunt Kennedy took that time to say one last goodbye.
“If you have any issues or trouble, do not hesitate to call Zander or me.”
I frowned, and my heart did a stupid little kick. “Zander?” I tried not to sound too obvious.
“Yes, I told him if you have any problems, he is to take care of them.”
