Seducing Texas (So not Prince Charming #2)(10)

My * squeezes at the inference to sex. “You better.”

I figure out each of his employees from their name placards outside of their cubicles, but some I know, like his worthless security guy Jeremy and his best programmer Tang.

I stop by a cubicle where a few women work. They’re attractive, but do I feel secure in my relationship with Shane? He did just screw me on his desk, but he’s taking Nikita to dinner tonight and not me.

A pretty blonde with hazel eyes and clothing more appropriate for a nightclub waits for me to shovel through the remaining checks. “I’m Sonia.”

Wondering whom she dressed up for, I give her the check. “Cynthia Diaz.”

“Thank God Shane hired someone to hand out our checks. I thought I’d have to take another job, and I wouldn’t want to do that. We work for the hottest man in town.”

I half consider telling her he’s taken, but then that would ruin his chances of courting Nikita. I should then. “Doesn’t he have a girlfriend?”

“Like that would stop any girl from going after Shane O’Flannery.”

One of the other programmers rolls her eyes, and the other one shakes her head.

“So you would break up a couple?” I ask hesitantly.

“It’s not like he’s married,” Sonia says, opening her check. “Gosh, he paid us for last week too. Party!”

“Okay,” I say. “Nice chatting with you.”

Feeling a little disturbed, I step out of the cubicle farm and head toward the lobby. I knew women were attracted to Shane, but I never realized to what extent. I need to ensure Shane wants to be with me. We’ve never said those three fatal words, “I love you.”

I hand out the last check to Shane’s admin.

“Thank you,” she says. “I see Shane hired you. That’s excellent news. I was thinking I’d have to apply for food stamps. I have to pick up my son, so I’ll see you tomorrow. Goodnight, Cynthia.”

I tell her goodbye and head back to Shane’s office. I want to go over the company’s books for the app. That should increase my hours, so I work a couple more hours.

Lots of the programmers work late, and it’s getting dark by the time I leave. I take the elevator to the covered parking lot. A cool breeze floats under my dress, reminding my * how ignored it’s felt until a few hours ago. I miss sleeping with Shane. I miss everything that man has to offer.

Before I reach the Camry, shivers work their way along my spine, like someone’s watching me.

Cars and trucks fill the open-air garage. From behind me, the low rumble of a vehicle growls to life. I keep walking, hurrying my pace. At the squealing of tires, I slip out of my heels without turning around and rush to the car.

After the gangbanger threatened Willa and I earlier, I’m not taking any chances.

A black Escalade screams across the parking lot, cutting me off from the Camry where my gun lies in the glove box. I dash to the stairwell exit, my heart hammering in my chest. The cold concrete cools my bare feet.

The SUV wheels around and careens toward me. I squeeze between two parked cars, and the SUV clips their bumpers, ripping one off. I scream, vowing to carry my small gun in my bag from now on. My feet move faster than my mind and sprint to the glowing exit sign.

I run up the steps two at a time, and the sound of the garage floor level door opening and closing behind me thrums in my ears. Thankfully, Red Sky is only on the second floor. I open the door and rush into the hallway and down to Red Sky.

I tug on the office door. It’s locked. Down the hall from me, the stairwell door shudders closed with a bang. I pound on Red Sky and pull harder on the door. Heavy boots clomp behind me, and my heart rate spikes.

Shane comes into the lobby to open the front door for me. I glance over my shoulder while fear overcomes my good sense. As he opens the door, I slam into him, throwing my arms around his neck.

“Someone’s after me,” I cry.

Shane locks the door behind me and watches down the hall, but the person belonging to the boots never shows. “What happened?”

“Someone tried to run me over,” I gasp.

“It’s okay,” he says, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll be right back.”

Shane leaves me standing by the locked lobby doors, and when he returns, I see the holster around his shoulder under his jacket. “Stay here.”

“Oh hell no.”

He smiles. “You haven’t changed one bit, princess.”

After he locks Red Sky, I follow him down the stairs. The SUV is gone, but the evidence of the mangled cars is left behind. He gets out his cell and calls the stupid fed.

“Did you get the license plate?” he asks.

“No. The tag was behind tinted windows, like new cars.”

He ends the call and pilots me back up the stairs. “I have to get a few things and then I’ll take you home.”

Shane gathers up his laptop and some papers. Everyone else has cleared out of the office. He calls Nikita and cancels.

Yay. I could stop him from seeing her forever.

“You aren’t going to see her?” I ask coyly.

“This is a good excuse for me to keep an eye on you, princess, and my eyes are all over you.”

“I’m no longer a princess.” I lost my castle. I lost everything, my mom and our home. I have Willa though, but I don’t really miss Fay.