CHAPTER TWENTY TWO

Shane

It took exactly five minutes for Heather to break down and give up the name of her partner in crime. What I hadn’t expected, and should have, was that Eric, Daniella’s ex, had also been involved. He’d helped hide the money over the last couple of years for a cut. Sure, that fucker hadn’t technically stolen from me, but he’d helped cover up for someone who was and had made a tidy profit from it.

The worst part was Heather’s reasoning. It wasn’t for a sick family member or because she owed money to someone. Nope, it was because she wanted to live in Tribeca and needed the money so she could pay for her condo. One, I might add, that was nicer than my own. Simply put, she somehow had convinced herself she was owed a lifestyle she couldn’t afford.

I couldn’t believe that after confessing, she even had the audacity to ask to keep her job. Not only was she fired, but she was also lucky we weren’t pressing charges. Of course, I needed to discuss it with Max, but the last thing we needed was either the scrutiny or embarrassment. As it was, it would be hard to explain the situation to the other employees. And after I made a call to the distributer later, Heather wouldn’t be the only one out of a job. As for Eric, I hadn’t decided what his fate would be, but I planned to give him a call to ensure he returned Daniella’s money by the end of the week. Otherwise, his big secret would be public in a hurry.

Daniella. Fuck. I’d hurt her. In my defense, I’d been operating on no sleep, and her bombshell had caught me completely off guard.

I walked up the steps to my office slowly and deliberately. There I met the eyes of Max, who was anxiously waiting.

Based on my grim expression, he knew instantly how it had turned out.

“Did she at least give a reason?”

I poured a whiskey and sighed. “Her condo overlooking the city. Her plastic surgery. A lifestyle she feels entitled to.”

“I was really hoping for a better excuse, like a sick relative.”

“Me, too. She gave up the name of the distributer.”

“Fucker. I take it you’ll call the supplier and get him fired tomorrow?”

“Chances are she’s already called him, and he’s taken off. And for a cut, Eric helped shift around money to hide it from being obvious.”

He cursed again. “Will you have the pics go viral?”

“I haven’t decided. Heather actually had the nerve to ask if she could remain working here.”

“She’s lucky we won’t press charges. We aren’t, right?”

I shook my head. “Not worth it. Where’s Daniella?”

He leveled me with a look. “Dude. Where do you think she is? She took off after you basically accused her of being jealous of Heather. I believe you also implied that her wanting to stay another morning to give you proof was because she wasn’t ready to let you go.”

“I didn’t mean—shit.”

He held up a hand. “If that’s your excuse, then it’s probably best you don’t see her again.”

“I don’t want that. Is she back at the hotel?”

He shrugged. “Not sure, but I do know she’s not coming back here. Matter of fact, she has a flight out tomorrow, leaving on vacation.”

This was news. Although come tomorrow, was it really my business? I didn’t like the answer.

“I fucked up.” I had. Although I hadn’t known Daniella that long, I should’ve handled what she was saying better and not made it personal.

“Guess you could start with that.”

Here’s hoping it would work.

***

Daniella

Even after packing everything up and taking a shower, I was restless. I told myself I didn’t care that he hadn’t knocked. But it was a lie. I cared. Too much.

As evidence, I realized I’d wanted too badly to prove myself in his eyes. Earn his impossible trust by finding the damn boxes in the frigid cold and figuring out the mystery of his lost revenue. But my quest had left me cold, both literally and figuratively. I wasn’t any closer to earning his trust. And I was a fool for not realizing my motivation ran deeper than simply doing my job and an even bigger one for allowing myself to be hurt by it.

 That alone made me glad I was leaving tomorrow. I needed to get Shane out of my system.

The knock at the door instantly caused butterflies. I opened it to the object of my thoughts.

He stepped inside, cupping my face. “I’m sorry. So sorry for doubting you. My only defense is I was exhausted, and I didn’t want to believe someone who has been with Max and me from the beginning could do such a thing. I fucked up, Dani.”

I swallowed hard. “You hurt me by assuming I’d made it personal towards her.”

“I know. And I’m sorry. You were right. She’d been stealing with the help of the distributor who kept the box counts off the receipts. And Eric had been helping her to hide the numbers, making it harder for me to see it.”

Of all the things he could’ve said, Eric’s involvement shouldn’t have shocked me, but it did. “I’m sorry.”

He shook his head. “For what? If it wasn’t for you, who knows if we ever would’ve found out the truth? I not only owe you an apology, but a big thank you, too.”

Before I could respond, his lips descended to mine, the kiss so unexpected that I pulled back in shock, meeting his eyes.

“I’ve never wanted this more than I do right now.”

A mix of vulnerability and sincerity were reflected in his gaze. If this was our last night, who was I to deny something I’d longed for every time we were together? I didn’t hesitate to pull his mouth back to mine, aware he was moving me into the room and letting the door shut behind him.

His tongue tangled with mine, making me desperate for this intimate contact to continue. One taste wasn’t enough. Instead, it felt like I’d been starved for it and was finally getting my fix. He must’ve felt the same as he didn’t break contact, instead deepening the kiss and throwing everything in his arsenal at it with lips, tongue, and teeth. His hand tangled in my hair while the other went straight for my pussy.

“So fucking perfect every time,” he whispered, moving his kisses to my ear and throat. “I want nothing between us.”

“God. Yes.” Meanwhile, the logical part of my brain thought, why? Why on the last day? But it was overruled by lust. Yep, now I knew how after-school specials were made. And I couldn’t even say my intentions were good. Because they were, oh, so dirty instead. Which is why, when he buried himself deep inside of me, skin on skin, coming deep inside of me, I reveled in our last time together.

After falling asleep in his arms, I awoke with a start the next morning. Checking my phone, I breathed a sigh of relief at the time reflected. I had a plane to catch in four hours. Glancing over, I saw Shane still fast asleep. Considering he’d pulled an all-nighter and then had marathon sex with me, I couldn’t say I was surprised.

Even after I’d showered and dressed, he was still passed out. I was tempted to wake him, but for what? A sad goodbye? A stupid hope that he’d want me to stay? I thought about a note, but the same problem persisted. What would I say? It was fun?

Turns out it had been a hell of a lot more than that.