IA'

king it was just another hungry customer. Sliding my pencil behind my ear, I grabbed a menu and forced

for someone. His all-black outfit, which consisted of a black shirt, black leather jacket, and

t can I

smile never reached his eyes. "N

showed my first name. How th

ed behind my ear. He tilted his head but didn't answer. Instead, he pu

th a certain Rios Alcaraz. A slow, uneasy chill ran down my spine. "I'm sorry, but I

He pocketed the phone and sat back. "You should thi

dn't like the w

gaze at me. "A package will arrive at your apartment la

y pulse skipping in my w

he replied with a shrug. "We'

my stomach upon hearing h

e my schedule," I said, forc

eady been

" I replied, curling my fingers into

that way, Miss Mo

the bell above the door ringing in his wake. I stood frozen, stari

and decided to shift my focus to my job. It's go

noon. Unlike most days, when I would stop at the libra

ll felt like someone was watching me the whole time. Now, walking toward my apartment building, the feeling hadn't left. I

ing. I then decided to dial my agent. "Hey, Ash

ually, you've been g

d walkin

ing. Your client pulled some strings

ed around my phone

es," Ashley cut me o

he was

gh to change my schedule before. This was

aiting for me. My heartbeat quickened. The man's words replayed in my head. "A package

ly. Surprisingly, it wasn't heavy. I nudged open my door with my hip and set the box on my sm

blinked when I saw wh

ss but stunning. I could not help but run my fingers through the thin straps and the subtle neckline. And when I saw the pair of strappy nude-colore

ist. The audacity. The arrogance! This man-a complete stranger-was t

ing. Then, he sent his goon-or whoever the hell that was-to my workplace. Now, he sent me these clothes like I was a doll to be dressed u

ikTok mini vlogs. But first, a shower. My muscles ached from hours

arp beneath the dim bathroom light. I made a face and reached behind me, unclasping my bra and letting it drop carelessly onto t

I wasn't delicate like the other girls but I was gorgeous. With a sigh, I twisted the shower handle, stepping under the cool stream as water cascaded down my bare skin.

he was? I tried to shake the thought, but his name lingered. I imagined our first encounter; the way he moved, the way he spoke, the way he laug

open. What the

rinse away the ridiculous thought. Rios Alcaraz might be used to

ngering heat in my chest away. It took me a few more minutes before slipping into my m

long to be in

lights. And there, with his stinking face, my landlord sneered. My breath hitch

y, and hands resting on his knees. "

before stepping into the shower. A cold shiver crawled down my spine as I realized what

amused chuckle came out of his parched mouth. "Of co

aking as I focused on getting out of the apartment. Do

give him the chance to corne

I just need

ding exasperated. "I could make arrangements

n my stomach. "Nope. No

He could never scare me this way. But I had bar

very st

ways smelled like stale beer. "What do

roaming over me. "Y

d in my throa

ppeared. "And

o barely flinched. Instead, h

! Hel

o help you, missy

Several heads peeked from the windows of the

ut just as we reached my doorstep

he wom

Alcaraz stood at the bottom of the stairs, watching us.