Chapter 7
972 Words
I woke up and got ready for work with just one purpose in mind—to get Conan to talk about the mystery man and make him spill something useful. In my head, it didn’t seem like such a difficult task. So the moment I was dressed, I was out the door, sliding into Jean’s car that was already waiting outside.
The ride was quiet. Not because there was nothing to say, but because my thoughts were stuck replaying last night’s dream. Not the dream itself or the heat it brought. But the reason his face flashed through my mind right before I woke up.
Was I already so obsessed that I was inserting him into everything? Even dreams about that mystery stranger I’d never seen before?
If this was obsession, I needed a way out—and fast.
I’d met the man once. Once. I couldn’t go spiraling down some rabbit hole already. That wasn’t me. I’d never been this affected by a man before. It wasn’t the Aria way.
“We’re here already, miss,” Jean said, snapping me out of my thoughts as he turned off the engine. “You were gone for more than half the ride. Are you sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” I lied with a smile. “Just stressed about this corporate nine-to-five.”
He chuckled. “Like I’d fall for that lame excuse.”
“Not even a little?” I asked. He shook his head.
I sighed as I stepped out of the car.
“I had another dream last night, okay?” I finally admitted it as we walked toward the elevator.
“I thought as much,” he said, brows lifting. “You need a way out of this. Find someone to sleep with and see if it stops.”
I laughed. “Of course, your solution is sex.”
“Hear me out,” he said, grinning. “You’ve got two options, and you lose nothing either way. Your dreams are s****l—so having s*x should stop them. That’s basic logic. You’ve got Conan willing, and if that doesn’t work, we hunt down Mr. M and let you work your magic.”
“As tempting as that sounds, I’ll pass,” I said, pressing the elevator button. “I’m not giving in to Conan. And as for the other man… we’ll revisit that when I actually meet him again.”
I waved goodbye and took the elevator up to my floor. The moment I reached my desk, my eyes went straight to Conan’s office.
“I need an excuse to go in there today,” I muttered.
“Good morning, Miss Aria,” Agnes greeted, settling into the seat beside me.
“Morning, dear,” I replied with a smile.
She handed me a document. “We need this worked on and submitted to the CEO today.”
“The CEO?” I echoed. She nodded.
I opened the document immediately.
“Edge Foundation, huh?” I murmured, tracing the logo absentmindedly.
I got to work right away. It didn’t take long, so I handled a few other tasks too, planning to submit everything before closing hours—perfect timing for my little investigation. But just before lunch, I was summoned by Conan.
I nearly skipped to his office, folder in hand, excitement buzzing through me. I had no idea why he’d called me, but a win was a win.
“You called for me, sir?” I asked sweetly as I stepped inside, stopping in front of his desk and schooling my expression into professionalism.
“Did you finish the accounts for Edge Foundation?” He asked. My eyes widened slightly. Did he just call me in here for work, like real legitimate work? From him?
“Yes,” I said, clearing my throat. “I was actually about to bring them to you.”
I placed the folder on his desk and stepped back.
He skimmed through it before nodding. “Looks good.”
“Thank you, sir,” I replied calmly.
“Now that that’s aside,” he said, that familiar snark slipping into his tone as he stood and walked toward me, “how about we continue where we left off?”
Of course.
“Where did we stop?” I asked, playing along.
“Don’t act naïve, Aria,” he said, grabbing my waist and pulling me closer.
“I’m not naïve,” I replied softly. “The last thing I remember is you chasing me out.”
“I’m sorry about that,” he cut in quickly. “There was an emergency.”
“Was it because of that man?” I asked, locking eyes with him. His gaze shifted.
Bingo.
“What man?” he said sharply, looking away.
“I saw him walk into your office,” I continued. “And I saw him later too.”
“You saw him later?” he blurted, releasing me. “What did he say to you?”
“He called me the girl from your office,” I said.
“Oh, thank goodness,” Conan breathed.
“But,” I added carefully, “he also called me a hoe.”
“Knight,” he muttered under his breath. “That fucker.”
I bit back a smile.
Knight.
The name suited him perfectly.
“Just ignore him,” Conan said quickly. “And stay away from him if you ever see him again.”
If I see him again.
So there would be a next time.
I nodded obediently, already making plans. I’d find out more about Knight before that meeting happened—one way or another.
Who said men were the only ones allowed to dig into people they were interested in?
I could do much more than that.
- Writer
