For two days, I thought about nothing but him.

Morgan DeLuca was a cocky son of a bitch, but there was something about him that had me fantasizing about him.

He was a bossy prick. I knew the type from working in the corporate world, but Morgan had a kindness in his eyes.

I couldn’t forget his face. His distinctive features would be forever etched in my brain.

I don’t mean just a guy I’d give a second look to when walking by.

He had the package.

Strong, chiseled face lined with dark stubble. Lips so full that I’d feel them long after a kiss had ended. Muscles that bulged from places that shouldn’t be legal. And eyes so blue that I could get lost in them for hours.

Oh, seriously.

I needed to get a fucking grip. It wasn’t like it had been that long since I’d had sex.

Had it?

I’d been too busy trying to climb the corporate ladder to even bother with any type of relationship. Plus, the men I worked with just didn’t do it for me. I liked them rough around the edges with a hint of beautiful underneath.

Like Morgan.

I walked into his office two days later with an envelope filled with possible suspects, copies of the emails, and other information I thought he needed.

Their receptionist spoke on the phone as I tapped my fingernails against the desk, waiting for her.

She kept holding up her finger. I looked at my watch, wondering how long I’d have to stand here.

She was a pretty little thing with long red hair that flowed over her shoulders. I hadn’t paid much attention to her when I had been there the first time. Maybe she was Morgan’s type—pretty and perky, with a natural beauty and casual attire.

“Sorry, ma’am. Can I help you?” she asked as she hung up the phone.

I righted myself, trying not to feel a pang of jealousy. “I’m here to see Mr. DeLuca.”

“And you are?” she asked as her eyes raked over my upper body.

Oh my God. Was she checking me out like I was her?

“Ms. True,” I said with an overly sweet voice.

She pushed back from the desk, popped up from her seat, and left me alone in the waiting room.

Moments later, she returned with Morgan following close behind her.

“Ah, Race.”

“Ms. True,” I corrected him, pushing my shoulder back.

His eyes dropped to my chest as he smirked. “Let’s talk in my office where it’s more private.”

I followed him to his office, staring at his ass as we walked. When he held the door open, he barely left me enough space to pass by without touching him.

My shoulder brushed against his and his scent hit me. I closed my eyes, taking in the rich cologne he was wearing, trying to memorize it.

“Please sit,” he said as he pushed the door closed with his body.

I fidgeted with the envelope as he sat across from me, leaning back in his chair. He looked handsome today, but the stubble on his jaw had disappeared.

Pity, really, because I liked how it had looked.

He placed his hands flat on the desk as he sat. “What did you bring for me?”

I blinked twice, clearing my mind before I tossed the envelope on the desk, not trusting my voice.

He glanced down. “Did you bring everything I told you to?” he asked, eyeing me.

“Yes. It’s my e-mails, including the first message I received. I erased it right after I printed it,” I said, feeling foolish, tugging on the edge of my skirt.

“Why don’t you tell me what it says?” he asked, cocking his head to the side as he held the envelope without opening it.

I grimaced, squirming in my seat. “It’s embarrassing, Mr. DeLuca.”

“I don’t care what it is. I’m not here to judge you. It would help if I knew what the real issue is. What the hell does this person have on you that is freaking you out so bad?”

Covering my face with my hands, I dug my index fingers into the corners of my eyes. “Oh God,” I whispered, trying to breathe through my nose.

“I promise not to laugh,” he said in a steady, calm voice.

“I wish it were funny,” I mumbled as my stomach started to knot and my eyes met his.

“Did you sell drugs?” The side of his jaw ticked.

I blinked rapidly at him. “Are you kidding me?”

He shrugged. “No. I’m just trying to come up with what the hell it could possibly be.” He rubbed his chin, studying me. “Did you cheat?”

“No.” I shook my head, absently stroking my throat.

“Get pregnant and not have the baby?” He raised an eyebrow.

“No. Jesus,” I muttered, shaking my head.

“Let’s start with something easier. What did the first e-mail say and why did you erase it?” he asked, crossing his arms over his chest.

“I thought it was bullshit. So I just erased it and pretended it never happened.” My chest tightened as I peered up at him. “Promise me you won’t judge me?” I winced.

“Just spill it, Race. I won’t think differently of you, unless you killed someone. We all have a checkered past.”

I looked down at my lap. “I was seeing this guy for about a year. I thought we were in love.” My stomach churned just from thinking about him.

“And?”

“One night we were partying and—God, this is so stupid.” I shook my head, covering my face with my hands. “He convinced me to make a sex video as a memento of our time together.”

“That’s it?” he said. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of.”

I dropped my hands as I straightened. “But how many people get a threat that it would be sent to their boss?”

He slapped the desk. “Why didn’t you tell me that? It’s simple. Has to be your ex-boyfriend.”

I shook my head, pursing my lips. “Nope. It’s not him. He died after we graduated. But someone claims to have the video.” I gave a long, low sigh.

“It’s just a job, Race.”

Rubbing my temples, I lifted my head to meet his gaze. “It’s all I have, Morgan. I worked my ass off to get where I am today. There’s no way in hell I’m going to let anyone destroy it.”

“Hmm,” he muttered, rubbing his chin. “Okay. It has to be someone who had access to your ex’s things after he died. Tell me more about him.”

“He was an engineering major, and we met sophomore year. Things between us heated up quickly, and we spent every waking minute together before we broke up at the end of my junior year.”

He stared at me for a moment without speaking, continuing to stroke his chin. “Keep going.”

“His name was Shane. I bumped into him one day while he was waiting for his cousin after class.” I glanced out the office window, thinking about how much easier my life had been then.

“Do you remember his cousin’s name?”

I shook my head, looking up at the ceiling. “They weren’t close. His cousin was a jerk. I want to say it was something like Kyle or Tyler.” I shrugged.

“It’s a start, princess.”

“I’m really sorry,” I said as I blew out a heavy breath. “I wish I could tell you more, but I never spoke to the guy.”

“What happened with Shane? Maybe it’ll help tie everything together.”

I dragged my eyes to him. “I caught him in bed with my best friend. We ended that night. He was the last boyfriend I ever had. Is that good enough?” My cheeks heated as I averted my eyes.

“What a bastard,” he growled. “It’s okay. I’ll see what we can dig up. What was Shane’s last name?” he asked, grabbing his cell phone off his desk.

“McGovern.”

“Hey, Thomas,” Morgan said as he put the phone on his shoulder. “I need you to do some digging if you have time today, or put one of the other guys on it.”

His eyes darted to mine. “Yeah. Race just told me about a possible lead. Dig in to Shane McGovern. He’s deceased, but I think his cousin has something to do with the threats.”

I thought Shane was a nice guy.

I thought he was the one.

It had been six years, and I still hadn’t allowed myself to get involved with anyone. My ability to trust had been completely shattered.

“His name is Tyler or Kyle.”

I stared at him as he spoke, taking a good look at him without being bombarded with questions.

His muscles bulged underneath the sleeves of the clean white dress shirt, which were rolled up, resting against the middle of his forearms. The top of his hair was longer than the sides, a little grown out since his time in the military. The strands were brown in color but verging on black, with each strand in place.

“You okay?” he asked.

“Yeah,” I replied as I drew my knees together and dragged my eyes to his face. “Sorry. I was thinking about work. What did you ask?”

“I need your account information. I have copies of the emails, but the original messages hold information that’s critical to tracking the source.”

I sank into the chair, crossing my legs. “I don’t give that out to anyone.” God, I needed to get laid, or else I’d be squeezing my legs together every time I met with him.

He crossed his arms, narrowing his eyes. “I’m not just anyone.”

I swallowed hard, wishing he’d been an ugly man closer to sixty instead of the man sitting in front of me. “Sorry. My mind is just elsewhere.”

“Haven’t we been over this before? I need the information.” He leaned forward, clasping his hands together as he rested them on the desk. “Why bother hiring me if you won’t trust me enough to do my job?”

“I’m sorry I’m being so difficult.” I shifted in my chair, feeling both horny as hell and uncomfortable.

He sighed, clenching his jaw. “I just want to help you.”

“I know. I’m sorry.”

I never usually apologized for my behavior, but with him it was starting to become the norm.

I’d honed my bitch skills right after college.

I’d had to.

I’d walked into work the first day filled with happiness and feeling perkier than ever. I’d landed my dream job and was beyond excited. The cold reality of corporate America had slapped me in the face within five minutes.

From that day forward, I’d put on my best resting bitch face and perfected my go-fuck-yourself stare. I’d never let anyone treat me that way again. I’d become the woman I was that day in Morgan’s office. Confident and powerful, and nothing in the world would make me change, including the cocksucker who was trying to blackmail me.

“I promise I will only look at the e-mails that pertain to your case. Your privacy is very important to me, Race.” He spoke in a soothing tone.

I nodded, scooted forward in the chair, and grabbed a pen. On a piece of scrap paper that was lying nearby, I wrote down my e-mail log-in information and the website address he’d need to access the account. “Here,” I said as I pushed it toward him, giving him a weak smile.

“Was that so hard?” he asked with a grin.

I tilted my head to the side. “Be careful, Mr. DeLuca. I can still fire you.”

“But you won’t.” He smirked.

I bit my lip, holding back the comment that sat on the edge of my tongue. I stood quickly, smoothing my skirt. “Call me when you figure out who’s sending the messages, and I’ll handle it from there.”

He hopped to his feet and came around the desk before I made it to the door. “Once I have the name, I’ll be in contact and we’ll decide together the best course of action.”

I stared up at him, my nostrils flaring. God, he smelled so good. I wanted to rub against him and find out if his entire body was as hard as it looked.

I had to snap out of it.

This is business, Race.

“Race?” he asked, touching my arm.

I jerked my arm away. “Call me once you have a name and we’ll discuss it then,” I replied, backing up and bumping into the chair with the backs of my knees. I cleared my throat. “Damn,” I mumbled.

“Would you like me to show you out?”

“No,” I answered, wanting to put some distance between us. I needed to. “Thank you. I know the way.” I turned around, warmth creeping up my chest and neck.

He’d turned me into a clumsy idiot.

“I’ll see you soon, Race,” he called as I walked out.

I didn’t turn around as I closed the door. Then collapsed against it as I bowed my head.

“You okay out there?” he yelled from the other side of the door.

I winced, feeling lightheaded. “Just checking my messages!” I yelled. I pushed off the door and practically jogged out of the building.

When I walked outside, I could smell him still.

Damn it.

I’d have to spend the entire day smelling him, and it would be wasted with fantasies of Morgan DeLuca and his powerful body mingling with mine as I surrendered all control to him.

God, I was so fucked that it wasn’t even funny.

I needed to get to the gym and run off some of the pent-up energy. Being near him had me feel something that I didn’t like to feel.

Vulnerable.