Billion Dollar Bad Boy (Big City Billionaires)(18)

What would I ever need it for?

Now, I knew.





- Chapter Eight -


Alexis

“You have some explaining to do,” Laralie said, dropping a box onto my desk.

I jumped in my seat, yanked from my pleasant—if dirty—day dream. In it, Silver had come into my home, finding me enjoying the dildo he'd sent. In my head, he was happy to join in and teach me how to really use it.

I blinked down at the long box. “What's this?” I don't know why I asked. One look at the package, and it was obvious; Silver had sent me something.

Propping her elbows on the desk, Laralie leaned closer to me. She arched one fine eyebrow. “A delivery guy just showed up with this for you. Spill it, who is he?”

“Who is who?”

“The guy who's sending you surprise packages in the middle of the day!”

Grabbing the box, I pulled it closer. “Why do you think there's a guy at all?”

She rolled her eyes. “I'm not stupid, Alexis. I know you've been seeing someone. Look at how you carry yourself, it's obvious.”

I tried to evaluate my own behavior. Had I been acting different? Of course I have. My life is changing, Silver isn't like anyone I've dated before.

Shit. Were we even dating? I had no clue what to call our situation.

Laralie cleared her throat. “Well?”

Running my hands over my face, I sighed. “Alright, okay. I'm seeing someone.”

Gasping dramatically, she covered her mouth. I could still see the edges of her huge grin. “I knew it! What's he like? What did he send you?”

My eyes wandered to the box. “I don't know. He likes to shock me.”

“Ooh, sounds fun!”

“Sort of.” Grabbing my phone, I typed quickly: How do you know where I work? Sending the text, I peeked up at Laralie. She was bent halfway over my desk, reminding me of an excited puppy. “You don't expect me to open this in front of you, do you?”

“Oh yes, I do!”

In my hand the phone buzzed. With a flicker of excitement in my pulse, I read the message.

Silver: I know more about you than you realize.

The cryptic words made me freeze.

“Alexis? You okay?”

“Yeah.” I buried the phone in my pocket. “I'm fine, don't worry.” What the hell does he mean? “You really won't let me open this up alone?”

Her teeth glinted. “I'll stalk you into the bathroom if I have to.”

I hope it isn't more sex toys. Peering side to side, I nodded. “Okay, but keep this between us.” Gripping the ribbon, I slid it free. Then, I eased the lid off of the box.

Together, we both inhaled sharply.

The dress was like a waterfall of mercury. I lifted it high enough for us both to see the low-cut back, lace flourishing like a rose garden along the edges.

“Do you know what this is?” Laralie asked, fingering the label stuck to the neck of the dress. “It's a Vera Wang dress, from her new limited collection. This has to cost a fortune!”

“Really?” I asked, but... I knew. I'd spent plenty of time as a kid cutting out pictures of these dresses and sticking them to my walls. I didn't want to get into this with her, though. It wasn't important. Not anymore.

Laralie eyeballed me, letting the dress go before sighing. “You have no clue, do you? Alexis, we work on magazines that show these dresses off! Have you never noticed?”

I scrunched my shoulders up. “I do desk work, not articles like you.” I hated playing dumb, but it was better than explaining what I'd given up on. “It's beautiful, who cares who made it?”

Her lips pouted, a hand dragging over her face. “He's sent you something like this, and you don't even understand.” Rubbing her temples, she groaned. “How come guys like this never contact me? I'd appreciate it!”

Fidgeting, I brushed the soft material again. “I do appreciate it.”

“Fine, fine. I guess I'm just a little surprised to see this in person.” She reached out, tracing the hem.

When I moved the dress, something slid my way. The small envelope was deliciously familiar, but I didn't want Laralie to see the note. Tucking it into my lap under the desk, I devised a plan to get her to go away so I could read it. Before I could, a new voice spoke out. “Excuse me, Alexis Willow?”

Together, Laralie and I looked up at the man who had appeared. The broadness of his shoulders showing through his tight, black shirt made it clear he took care of himself. There was a two-day-old scruff around his square jaw, heavy bags looking out of place under his sparkling green eyes. Behind his ear sat a simple red pen.

“Yes?” I asked, “I'm Alexis, and you are...?”

“Detective Roose.” He extended a large, callused hand. On impulse I shook it, but my skin was numb.

The detective. I'd completely forgotten.

Everyone in the room was staring my way, most didn't bother to be subtle. Roose nodded his head to me. “Could we go somewhere a little more private?”

Laralie made a motion behind his back, pushing up her own boobs while wiggling her hips. I read her lips: “Want me to distract him for you?”

Ducking my head, I quickly shook it. I didn't need her to make this worse. “Sure, we can use one of the conference rooms.” I buried the note from Silver in my trouser pocket before I stood.