IA'

barely looked up as I fumbled through my notepa

orced an excited smile. But as I approached the table,

table like he was waiting for someone. His all-black outfit-black sh

ed and acted professionall

smile never reached his eyes. "N

showed my first name. How th

ed behind my ear. He tilted his head but didn't answer. Instead, he pu

th a certain Rios Alcaraz. A slow, uneasy chill ran down my spine. "I'm sorry, but I

He pocketed the phone and sat back. "You should thi

dn't like the w

gaze at me. "A package will arrive at your apartment la

y pulse skipping in my w

"Don't worry, Miss Morales. We

s mysterious response. We? I forced my voice to sta

eady been

" I replied, curling my fingers into

that way, Miss Mo

staring after him, my notepad and pencil still in hand. How could they just step on my boundaries like that? Shaking my head, I

noon. Unlike most days, when I would stop at the libra

. Now, walking toward my apartment building, the feeling hadn't left. I adjusted the strap of my bag, glancing over my shoulder. But there was nothing. Still, the unease cra

ually, you've been g

d walkin

our client pulled some strings. D

ed around my phone

es," Ashley cut me o

owerful enough to change my schedule before. This

aiting for me. My heartbeat quickened. The man's words replayed in my head. "A package

ly. Surprisingly, it wasn't heavy. I nudged open my door with my hip and set the box on my sm

blinked when I saw wh

ss but stunning. I could not help but run my fingers through the thin straps and the subtle neckline. And when I saw the pair of strappy nude-colore

ist. The audacity. The arrogance! This man-a complete stranger-was t

irst, he cleared my schedule without asking. Then, he sent his goon-or whoever the hell that was-

ack on it. Now that I had the night off, I could finally edit content for my TikTok mini vlogs. But first,

arp beneath the dim bathroom light. I made a face and reached behind me, unclasping my bra and letting it drop carelessly onto t

I wasn't delicate like the other girls but I was gorgeous. With a sigh, I twisted the shower handle, stepping under the cool stream as water cascaded down my bare skin.

d back to the box... and back to the man who sent

he moved, the way he spoke, the way he laughed at me. A slow heat curled in my stomach, reali

open. What the

rinse away the ridiculous thought. Rios Alcaraz might be used to

ngering heat in my chest away. It took me a few more minutes before slipping into my m

long to be in

lights. And there, with his stinking face, my landlord sneered. My breath hitch

y, and hands resting on his knees. "

d it before stepping into the shower. A cold shiver crawled down my spine as I realized wh

amused chuckle came out of his parched mouth. "Of co

aking as I focused on getting out of the apartment. Do

give him the chance to corne

I just need

ding exasperated. "I could make arrangements

n my stomach. "Nope. No

He could never scare me this way. But I had bar

very st

ways smelled like stale beer. "What do

roaming over me. "Y

d in my throa

ppeared. "And

o barely flinched. Instead, h

! Hel

o help you, missy

Several heads peeked from the windows of the

ut just as we reached my doorstep

he wom

Alcaraz stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching us.