SEVER

much perfect going on for the average woman to cope with. He places the flowers on my desk before gently kissing my cheek. He takes his time, his mouth inching closer to mine each time I see him.
“Kane, yet another surprise… and these flowers are beyond gorgeous, but you don’t have to—”
“There just flowers, Blythe,” he says before taking a seat, one ankle hooked over a knee. “You’ll know when I really spoil you.”
His suggestiveness causes me to choke on my own saliva, my mind wandering to all sorts of dirty things I’m too ashamed to mention. Taking a sip of water, I wipe my sweaty palms on my skirt. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”
Kane laces his fingers and considers me a moment. “I told you last night that I always get what I want.” When I don’t respond, he continues, “You know you’re the only person for my job. It’s not that there aren’t others just as capable, but the difference is… I want you.”
I swallow hard and he watches the movement.
“I want you, and I’ll do just about anything to have you accept my invitation. And while I can’t take you there, I will try to answer any questions you may have, but obviously some are off-limits.”
I swallow again and nod. He really isn’t going to expose any more of the mystery—at least not the juicy stuff—however, a healthy commission could really be useful right about now.
“Okay,” I start. “What does your business involve?”
“Think of it as a feast for the senses.”
“Can you elaborate?”
“No.”
Okay.
“Operating hours, day or night?”
“Both.”
“Can you give me a basic rundown of what a typical day or night would look like?”
He shakes his head. “Off-limits.”
“Your clientele?”
“Rich, indulgent, hungry.”
“So, a restaurant?”
His lips twitch, a smile glinting from his dark eyes. “Of a kind.”
That would be a no.
 “Is it somewhere I would go?”
Kane bites his bottom lip in an attempt to hide his smile. One sexy, long finger gliding rhythmically over his chin. “No.”
How can someone make one simple word like ‘no’ sound so damn sexy?
“But… that could change.”
Heat blushes my cheeks, and I have no idea why because I have no inkling as to what he’s suggesting.
“Let me take you out for dinner,” he says, cutting through my indecent thoughts.
I’m thrown by his invitation because I still want to dive deeper than the superficial into this world he’s so protective over. But dinner with Kane Alexander! As much as I’m tempted, more so because I haven’t had this type of attention for over a year, I’m not prepared to further complicate things. Amanda will be so disappointed in me.
“Kane… I… I’ve got a lot going on at the moment, and—”
“How is Shawn?”
The question is like a slap across the face, and I get the strange feeling he knows more than he’s letting on. Like the answer to his question.
I lean back in my chair, aware I’ve absently been twisting my wedding ring. “Ah... Shawn is doing fine. And, we… are also… fine.”
Kane sees right through my lies but keeps his thoughts on the issue to himself. Instead, he leans forward, his voice a gravelly, thigh-clenching tune. “Blythe, some men don’t appreciate what they have. Even when they’re close to losing it, they happily lay waste to it. Other men treat their woman as their queen. They worship, honor. They ensure their wife excels professionally, challenges them spiritually, and leaves her body trembling with endless waves of pleasure until she’s on her weak knees begging for more. That’s how it should be. So, fine shouldn’t cut it for you.” He stands and winks, and I feel my insides flip. “I’ll leave it to you to determine which type of man I am.”
6
“T his is beautiful,” I say, admiring the high ceilings with elaborate cornices. The natural city light filters through the floor-to-ceiling windows, and it has the added benefit of privacy. I can rest assured that leaving the blinds open at night won’t invite prying eyes.
“This place won’t be on the market long, so a quick decision would be ideal,” Janet, my realtor says. I’m sure she says that to seal all deals, but this one will definitely be snapped up if I don’t stick my foot in the door.
“Lucky you rang me, and even luckier I answered. This is so different to the ones we looked at last week. Are you sure it’s in my price range?”
“Quite positive.”
I’m unsure how it could possibly be the case. Perhaps the owners are in urgent need of funds and are happy to drop the rental price.
Opening the French bi-folds, I step onto the balcony, the cool winter’s breeze caressing my face. It would be quite a change going from a suburban house to an inner-city apartment on the twentieth floor, but a place like this could surely have me settling in quickly so I can focus on buying again when the divorce is finalized.
“Should we make a time for your husband to view the property?” Janet asks.
I shake my head. “No need, we’re separated, hence why I’m here with you.”
I wonder how many times I can say ‘separated’ until it won’t hurt anymore.
Fear flashes across her amber eyes before she quickly perks up. “Well then, you’re in the right spot. There are plenty of bars in Manhattan, so one thing’s for sure, you won’t be shy of a good time.”
“Thanks, but—”
I’m cut off when my cell beeps, its sound bouncing off the walls in the empty room.
“Hmm,” I mutter, forgetting I’m not alone.
Shawn’s ears must be burning.
Opening the text, I read the four words he should have said a year ago.
 
We need to talk.
I leave Janet so she can