Indiscretion: Volume Three (Indiscretion #3) (4 page)

Why hadn’t I thought to give Mr. Cullen the heads up on the article before he called me first? Damn it. “I did. And I wanted to assure you that the accusation made in that article—“

“I realize it’s complete horse shit. I already had you checked out before I offered you that job, but no one else will know that!”

I was chewing on the tip of my French manicure, pondering the best way to calm him down. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Cullen. Maybe we could ask the paper to print a retraction…” I winced, waiting for his response.

“A lot of good that will do,” he said quieter, but still with an undertone of fury. “I told you those Richfields were not to be trusted. I assume you’ve already taken care of the budding romance between you and that waste of skin, Max Richfield?”

God, it grated on me to hear him speak about Max that way, but I needed this job. I’d put in almost a year of hard work to earn that bonus, and I was so close. “I spoke with him this morning and expressed my displeasure after having seen the article, and told him I couldn’t see him anymore.”
Technically not a lie.

“Good. My wife almost had me feeling guilty last night for demanding you do it, but after waking up and seeing this, I know I had that son of a bitch figured out all along.”

I wasn’t sure exactly what to say to that, so I stayed quiet.

“Anyway, keep those sales coming, and you’ll get that bonus. Eye on the prize.” His tone was more pleasant than earlier, but I didn’t make the mistake of thinking he was happy with me.

I gripped the phone tighter. “Yes, sir. I promise I won’t disappoint you.” And I wouldn’t. Well, not with sales anyway. Maybe with my sex life.

The rest of the day was quiet, very few people coming in to check things out. I roamed across the carpet for probably the zillionth time, when I heard my phone ping from the desk. I picked it up, surprised to see a text from Max. I’d given him my number when I’d forwarded the details of the charity event to him, but he’d yet to use it.

Max: You forget something?

I wracked my brain but came up empty. I typed out the only reply I could come up with.

Me: Such as?

Max: Someone breaking into your house…you calling the police. Ring any bells?

Oh shit. I had forgotten to let him know how it had gone after I spoke with the police. Or didn’t, as it were. I quickly typed out my reply.

Me: I didn’t call them.

The showroom phone rang, so I quickly hit send on my cell and answered the landline. The remainder of my reply would have to wait a minute. Turned out that phone call actually
was
someone interested in the development. I tried my best to get them to come down and meet me, knowing there was no chance they’d spend a million plus on a condo over the phone. When I’d successfully set up an appointment to speak with them in the showroom later in the week, I hung up and glanced at my cell, scrolling through my texts.

Wow. Max had been texting like a mad man while I’d been on the call.

Max: I hope you’re joking.

Max: By your silence I’m going to assume you’re not. What the hell?

Max: CHLOE. Don’t ignore me. This is serious shit!!

Max: WTF!? If I don’t hear from you in five minutes I’m coming down there.

Shit! That last message was sent four minutes ago. If Max came here there would be no way for me to explain away his presence after I’d supposedly ended things with him this morning. I pulled up his contact record and hit the button to call him, praying he’d pick up before I saw him walk through the door.

“Chloe?” Max sounded winded.

“You can’t come down here,” I quickly blurted out.

“What the fuck? Why didn’t you text me back.” His abrasive tone stung and took me back a minute.

“I got a call I had to take. I’m sorry.”

He went quiet for a minute, but I knew he was still on the line. He breathed deeply, his inhales and exhales easily heard. “I was worried. I probably overreacted.”

Warmth spread from my chest outward, and I inwardly cursed it. His words didn’t mean anything. Not really. He was just a good guy who had reason to be worried if I looked at it from his perspective. Any decent guy would.

“That’s okay. I didn’t get to finish my text to you.” I went on to fill him in about Jackie and Jamie meeting me at my place later tonight. In the end, Max understood why I’d chosen to go that route rather than call the police.

“When will I see you again?” he asked as we were getting ready to say our goodbyes.

The better question was
how
. “I’ll have some time available at the end of the week.”

“I can’t wait that long.” His voice was low and laced with arousal. The sound had me squeezing my thighs together.

“How are we going to do this?” I asked, my tone full of equal parts desperation and hope. It had all seemed possible earlier today when we’d been discussing it minutes after I’d had an earth-shattering orgasm. Now the difficulties of trying to meet up with an undercover lover were at the forefront of my mind.

“Do you run?”

“Do I run?” His change of subject had me confused.

“Yeah, you know…do you jog? You’re in fantastic shape. I figure you must do something to maintain it.”

Heat rose into my cheeks, and I was thankful he couldn’t see it. “I do sometimes. Not consistently.”

“Why don’t you go for a jog later tonight and end up on the path that runs along the ocean and ends up beside The Harborside? You tell me what time, and I’ll meet you there. We can slip in the back stairwell of the hotel and we sneak up to my room that way.”

I thought about it for a second. It was a good plan. No one would think anything of seeing me out jogging and our extra curricular activities would only leave me looking more like I’d actually been out running.

I smiled. “That could work.”

“Be sure to text me when you’re leaving. I don’t like you being out by yourself.” It was clear from the tone of his voice that he was concerned. “On second thought, maybe you should drive to the hotel and leave your car in the parking lot, then get on the trail.”

“No. I’ll be fine.” I shook my head, warmed by his protectiveness. “I’ll bring my mace with me. Who drives two minutes from their house to go for a jog?”

“I guess, but I still don’t like it.” He sounded unsure, and I pictured him stroking his thumb along his lower lip like he did when he was deep in thought.

I bit my own lip. His concern was starting to seep into my own consciousness. I was so used to coming and going in my town without any thought to my own safety. Now this whole newspaper thing had left me having to shift my thinking, which I was finding difficult. “I’ll text you as soon as I’m leaving and head straight there.”

“Yeah, sure.” He still sounded unsure, but my answer would have to do.

I hung up thinking about how quickly things could change. It was a lesson I’d learned ten years ago, but it seemed I had needed another reminder. With my rocky past, I now valued stability, and I prayed that things in my life would settle down again and get back to an even keel.

Chloe

I arrived back at my house determined not to be anxious or afraid. I checked that my door was still locked when I got there and took a quick tour through my place to make sure no one was lurking. Beyond that, I did okay.

I’d just changed into some more comfortable clothes when there was a knock at my front door. I rushed downstairs, hurrying to unlock it, expecting Jackie and Jamie. But peaking through the peephole, I was surprised to see who was there.

I opened the door wide, a hesitant smile on my face. “Gabe, I thought we were looking at places tomorrow night. Did I get it mixed up?”

“No, you’re right. It’s tomorrow.” He looked serious with his hands in his pockets and a hard set to his jaw.

I furrowed my brow. “What are you doing here then?” When he didn’t answer, I had a good guess. I cocked my hip out and brought my hand to my waist. “Did Jackie call you?”

“Yes, she called me,” he said sounding exasperated. “The better question is why didn’t
you
call me?”

I blew out a frustrated breath. “I know you worry. I would’ve told you eventually, once I actually knew something.”

He strode past me into the house. “Where’s the paper?”

I pointed in the direction of the kitchen where I’d placed it back on the table when I’d gotten home. Another knock sounded at my front door. I turned and, without checking who it was, opened the door. Gabe was here now, so I didn’t have any worries.

Jackie and Jamie were standing on the front porch. Jamie was still in his police uniform. Jackie had her back to me and was speaking to him in hushed tones. Seeing me, his eyes darted up, and Jackie spun around to face me. Concern was etched all over her features. She took a few quick steps and embraced me in a tight hug.

“How are you doing?” She pulled away, her gaze roaming me from head to toe, as if looking to make sure that every piece of me was exactly where it should be.

“I’m fine. Come on in, guys.” And I was fine. Yes, I was freaked out, but I was banking on the fact that whoever had come into my house was trying to help me, not hurt me. For whatever twisted reason, they’d really wanted to make sure I’d see that article. I was sure that was all the break-in had been about.

As they said their hellos to Gabe, I waited patiently for the questioning to start. When they were done and all attention turned to me, I said, “Thanks so much for coming over tonight, Jamie. I’m sure you had a long day, and that this is the last thing you want to be doing.”

“Chloe. I don’t think you get the seriousness of this situation,” he said.

“Go easy on her, babe,” Jackie cut in. “She’s not one of your perps.”

“It
is
serious, Jackie,” he countered, turning his attention back to me. “When you saw the paper, did you check to see if any windows or doors were open?”

I nodded. “The front door and the back door were both locked. The kitchen window was open, but the screen was still on. It was hot last night, so I left it open.”

“Jesus, Chloe.” Gabe ran an agitated hand over his face. “You can’t leave your ground floor windows open.”

I frowned at him. “I’ve always done it.”

Before Gabe could scold me any further, Jamie spoke up. “The person probably put the screen back in place after they left. It’s not hard to do.”

I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “Do you think the person that came in here meant me harm?”

Jamie immediately shook his head. “No. You were a sitting duck sleeping upstairs, and they left you alone. The intent was not to hurt you. They wanted to send you a message. Let me see the newspaper.”

I motioned to the kitchen table behind him.

“What’s the situation between you and this Max guy, Chloe?” Gabe asked, sounding curious.

I shifted my feet, my mouth suddenly dry as dust as three sets of eyes bore into me, waiting for me to answer.

Jackie must’ve been able to tell how uncomfortable I was because she jumped in and tried to save me from having to answer. “What does that matter? Who cares if they’re getting married and having babies together? The point is that someone broke into her house.”

Jamie must’ve disagreed because he pinned his stare on her. “The
point
is that the reason someone came into her house obviously has everything to do with this Max guy. That’s why the article was circled and left for her to find.”

Jackie crossed her arms over her chest and proceeded to stick her bottom lip out, pouting like a child. Jackie had never liked being spoken down to, so I piped up this time.

“Max and I have been out on a few dates, but that’s it. And as of earlier today, there is no Max and I.”

Jackie bit her bottom lip and gave me a knowing look.

“Because of what that article said?” Gabe asked. “I looked it up online at work.” He appeared a little chagrined.

“Among other things,” I said vaguely.

Gabe came around and gave me a friendly hug. “I’m sorry. Everyone here knows that what was in the article was complete bullshit. So will anyone else that knows you.”

I returned the hug. “Thanks.” It felt good to have my friends’ unwavering support. When the hug lingered a little longer than I was comfortable with, Jackie noticed and cleared her throat.