I run my hands through my hair as I hit the refresh again on my emails. I hear a chuckle and look up to see Andrew stretched out in the chair in front of my desk. I give him a hard look that does nothing. He’s finding my distress amusing. Probably because I’m always calm and collected, even if the world is falling down around me.

I’ve been doing this since I got a quick shower and changed my clothes. I should have had the cop pull the guy off the float and gotten his information right there on the spot. Now I’m regretting my decision.

“Fuck this,” I mutter, going for my cell phone. I check everywhere but can’t find it. Andrew only laughs harder before tossing my phone onto my desk. I hadn’t even realized it was missing until now.

“You left it in the car,” he tells me through a laugh. I stare at him, shocked for a moment that I did that. I run my hand down my face. I met this girl not even an hour ago and she has me all over the place. For my own sanity I need to find her now. I take a breath, calming myself before I go off the deep end.

My phone rings in my hand. I look down to see it’s the mayor. I should have known this is why I haven't got an email yet.

“An email would have been fine,” I say when I answer the phone. I try to keep the snap from my voice. Sean still has the information I need. But I also have money that he himself needs.

“Warren, I figured the information was very important if you commanded one of my officers to do something.”

I take another calming breath at his words. I don’t have a problem being an asshole to the mayor because, well, the man himself is an asshole a lot of time, but I do feel a trace of guilt for making the cop uneasy. I make a mental note to make sure he’s taken care of for going out of his way for me.

“Sean,” I say in a warning tone.

“All right, all right.” He rattles off the man’s information and also tells me he had an officer run by the man’s place. When he didn't see the car he has registered to him, he tried his work next and he was there. Fredrik Paige.

“Thanks,” I clip, already reaching for my coat.

“Let’s do drinks next—” I hit the end call button on the screen, cutting him off, before pocketing my phone. I write down the name of the man who kissed my girl Charlie today and hand it to Andrew.

“I want everything on him,” I tell him before heading toward the door.

Andrew jumps up and chases after me. “Let me take you. It will be faster.” When I open the front door I see it’s starting to snow. “Besides, it’s not the best neighborhood at night,” he adds. I can handle myself, but I don't know how things are about to go down when I find Charlie.

“I’m driving,” I tell him. Andrew smiles before tossing me the keys. “Start pulling up everything you can on this Fredrik. I want to know how he knows Charlie and how close they are.” I grip the steering wheel hard after I slide into the car, thinking about his mouth on her. The kiss didn't look deep or really even intimate. More like two friends, but maybe I’m telling myself that right now so I don’t lose it.

I wait for the gate to open before pulling out of the driveway and onto to street. I know once I get on the highway it will only be a ten-minute drive to the community center. I floor it when I hit the highway. Andrew lets out a string of curses, but I ignore him. When we finally reach the center, I jump out, leaving the keys in the ignition. Andrew looks askance at my attempt at parking, but I ignore him.

I push through the door and spot Fredrik right way. He’s standing alone at the front desk. I glance back over my shoulder to see Andrew has gotten out of the car and is leaning up against it casually outside, shaking his head at me.

Fredrik looks up. He looks to be in his early twenties, like the boy next door with his dirty-blonde hair and light blue eyes. He smiles at me like he doesn't have a care in the world. He looks more like the type my girl should be with. Probably nice and doesn't have a driving need to own her. I wonder how this is going to go down. Either way I’ll be getting the information I need.

Andrew was able to give me a little bit of information on Fredrik already that I can use to get what I want.

“The girl,” I throw out as I come up to the counter he’s behind and place my hands flat on it. This only makes me smile bigger. I can tell he knows who I am. Either from the parade or he knows who I am in general. “Don’t make me ask again. You’re lucky I don’t come over the counter for you kissing her already.”

He laughs. I'm over the counter. He steps back, putting his hands up. “Calm down, big man. I’m just the best friend.” I take another step toward him. Yeah, sure, friend. No way someone could be her friend and not want more. “Gay best friend,” he adds.

“Still don’t give a shit. Keep your fucking hands and mouth to yourself.”

His hand drops and he shakes his head. “I think I’m going to like you.”

“Where is she?” I push.

“You really want her don’t you? Like, more than some fuck.” He leans back, still casual.

“Say she’s some fuck again.” I close the rest of the distance between us. I stare down at Fredrik. The guy is at least six feet tall, but I still have inches over him.

“You might want to cool it some before you go see her. Something is bothering her and I think it’s more than whatever you two have going on, but I didn't push,” he tells me. I relax a little. He’s not only going to tell me where to find her but he’s giving me something about her. I want it and will probably do just about anything to have it. I’m guessing brute force isn’t going to be the way. If this is her best friend, it’s best to be in his good graces.

“I don’t want to hurt her,” I admit. No. I’ve been fucking worried about her little ass and what she might have gotten herself into if she goes around throwing paint at people.

“No, I think you want to be her Prince Charming,” Fredrik says almost dreamily. Prince Charming? The idea seems crazy, but I’ll be anything she wants. Doesn't the prince get to lock the princess away in his castle? Now that idea is appealing. My cock jerks at that. “Follow the music.” He nods toward the long wide hallway.

I hear the sound of music. I reach into my coat pocket, pull out a card and hand it to him. “This has my cell number on it, along with my assistant’s. Call him. He’ll more than take care of your grandmother.”

Relief washes over his face as he reaches for the card. “Just because I’m taking this card doesn't mean—”

“I promise I won’t hurt her,” I say again, trying to reassure him. “There is something about her I—”

This time he cuts me off. “Be good to her. She’s had a hard life.” I want to question him, but my drive to get to her now pushes me toward her instead. I nod. I follow the music like he said and start down the hallway. I stop in the doorway when I see a bunch of kids running around her, dancing to the beat. She’s twirling around, her sunshine hair fanning out everywhere.

She stops when she notices me, her eyes locking and her mouth falling open. She’s even more beautiful than I remember. Her hair’s a little wild, failing all around her. Her paint-spattered white shirt hangs off one shoulder. Tight black pants cover her legs, leading down to simple white sneakers that are also covered in paint. All the kids stop dancing and turn to look at me, and one little girl grabs Charlie’s hand, clutching it tightly.

Charlie drops down to her knees and whispers sometime to the little girl. The girl takes off running to the side of the gym and turns off the music.

“Okay, guys. It’s about time for me to go.” All the kids moan and pout about this.

“I’ll be back for class. Make sure you’re signed up. Limited spots.” She hugs a few of the kids before walking toward me. “Please don’t make a scene here.” She glances over her shoulder at the kids. I can tell she cares for them.

“I won’t make a scene if you come with me.” Her eyes fly back to mine. She reaches out, brushing snow off my shoulder. I didn’t even know it was there.

“It’s snowing out?”

“Yes.”

She bites her lip as if debating something. “I’m guessing you're not taking me to the cops or you would have just called them,” she hedges.

“No, I’m hungry. How about dinner?” I’m not hungry, but I’m guessing telling her I’m taking her home with me isn't the best idea. She didn't like the comment I made about her working off the cost of my suit. I shouldn't have said that. It was dickish, but I wanted her indebted to me in some way. That way I had her within my reach. “I can give you your notebook back, too. You left it behind.”

She takes a step closer to me. I steel myself because I don’t want to reach out and pull her fully into me yet. I yearn to have her body pressed against me again, but I’m afraid I’ll spook her. She’s like a skittish rabbit. I have to be careful.

“You can be charming when you want, can’t you?” She tilts her head looking up at me. Her hair brushes her bare shoulder. I want to bury my hands in all that hair. I see a spot of green paint on her neck that she must have missed when she showered. I wonder where else she might have missed on her body. I’d love to find all the spots for her.

“I’ll be anything you want if you come with me,” I tell her, throwing my cards down on the table.

“I need a place to stay. I have dinner with you and you’ll put me up in one of your fancy hotels? Alone.” She narrows her eyes at me as she says it. Oh, I’ll give her a place to stay for the night.

“I’ll give you that deal under one condition.”

“I’m not having sex with you.” Her cheeks turn pink as she says it.

“That’s not the condition.” We will be having sex, but I won't be paying her for it. I’ll make sure she wants it as badly as I do before we go there, but we will go there. This time I do reach out for her and pull her to me. Her body is flush against mine, and a tension I didn't know I was holding leaves my body when I have her against me again. “You’ll answer anything I ask you. Truthfully.”

“And you’ll get me a hotel?”

“I’ll get you anything you could ever ask for.”

She places her hands on my chest but doesn’t push me away.

“Is that your boyfriend, Charlie?” the little girl from before who was dancing with Charlie asks walking over to us looking between us.

“No,” we both say at the same time.

“I’m more than her boyfriend.”

Charlie’s eyes flare at that. I expect her to say something to rebuff what I said.

“You have a deal,” she finally says, and I feel myself smile.