Helaughed to himself. Jesus, how that simple act of bumping into her a year agohad flipped his life upside down! Her. Them. It was all he could think about.He’d been awash in willing women for so long that he’d forgotten how to work atgetting one. But he sure as hell would do whatever it took to get her.He didn’t want anybody else. He could wait if it meant having her in the end.
Afterexiting the Uber, he took the stairs to his new office in a second-floor suiteof shared workspaces. The receptionist was shared too, and she lowered herglasses as he hit the landing.
“Mr.Miller, welcome back,” she said. “You have some mail, and a guest is waitingfor you in your office.”
“A guest?”
“Yes.He said he’s a friend, and he stopped by without an appointment hoping to catchyou. He hasn’t been here long.”
“Thanks.”Puzzled, Beckett navigated the hallway to his office. A man stood at thewindow, his back to him. Beckett stiffened.
“I wishI could say this is a pleasant surprise, but I’d be lying. What can I do foryou?”
Adrianturned and faced him, squaring his shoulders. “Is this how you greet all yourvisitors?”
Beckettdropped his bags beside his desk and leaned against his credenza, surveyinghim. “Only those who treat my friends like shit.”
Adrianhmphed. “I assume you mean my wife. From what I understand, you two havebeen a little more than friends.”
“Youmean Andie? What’s your point?” Beckett folded his arms across his chest.
“Why doyou insist on calling her that ridiculous name?”
“Becauseit pisses you off.”
Adriansnorted. “Look, Miller, I just came to tell you to stay away from her.”
“Didyou forget she’s divorcing you?”
Knucklinghis fists on the desk, Adrian leaned forward and glowered. “You have no claimon her, Miller.”
“Biteme, Paulson. Neither do you. You dump her for some piece of ass you’ve beennailing for a year, and then what? You make up some jealous husband bullshitright before the divorce is final? She’s smarter than that.”
Adrianstraightened. “Talked to Paige lately?”
Beckettglared at him, trying to suppress the rising alarm sirens pitching in his head.
“Ididn’t think so.” Adrian grinned wickedly. “Paige and I aren’t done. Not by along shot. She told me in bed the other night she couldn’t bring herself totell you, so I said I’d do it for her. How do you think I knew where youroffice is? Or when you’d be here?”
Beckett’sgut clenched, and breath squeezed from his lungs as though he’d taken ashoulder to the solar plexus. His fingertips curled under the lip of thecredenza and dug in. “What’s the real reason for your visit, Paulson?”
“Like Itold you, stop seeing Paige.”
“And ifI refuse?”
Adrian’schin inched up. “What is she to you? Conquest number one thousand? Did she wina T-shirt?”
Despitehis size, despite being on land, Beckett moved quickly, his fist connectingwith Adrian’s perfect jaw. The shithead dropped like a sack of rice andsprawled on the carpet.
Joyboiling over, fists clenched, Beckett loomed over him. He bounced in place,adrenaline surging, focused, taut, ready, willing Adrian to lunge, aching foranother swing at the cocksucker.
Adrianpulled himself up on his elbow and gingerly prodded his jaw. “You bastard! Youbroke my jaw!”
Beckettanswered in a low growl. “Maybe that’ll stop you flapping your fucking gumswhen you talk about her, you whiny little motherfucker.”
Adriansat up, his chin in his hand. “I’m going to sue you, Miller.”’
“Forwhat? Coming into my place of business and threatening me? I was defendingmyself, so fuck you.”
Theadrenaline ebbed, and Beckett’s hand started to throb. He opened and closed hisfist.
Adrianwagged a finger. “Stay away from her, Miller. I mean it. Stay away from Paige.”
Beckettsnorted derisively. “Who’s going to stop me? You? Make your move! Oh wait. Youdon’t have any, do you, asshole? Now get the hell out of my office, you fuckingpiece of shit, before I hit you again.”
Adrianpulled himself up and left. Beckett heaved in a huge breath and exhaled, wordsspinning and blaring in his head. She told me in bed the other night. Inbed. The other night. She told me in bed. We’re not done.
Hedropped into his chair. Elbows on his desk, he held his head and dug hisfingers into his scalp. His hand hurt, but his hammering heart hurt worse.
“Howcould you go back to that douchebag, Andie?” he ground out.
Beckett’sbody had slowed to its regular rhythm, but his thoughts twisted like jetsam inan ocean whirlpool. Maybe Adrian had lied. Wouldn’t put it past that prick.
Helooked at his phone. No calls from Andie. No texts. It was crystal-clear she’dbeen giving him the brush-off all week, and maybe now he knew why. And itpissed him off.
Hestabbed at her number. Her singsong voice told him she wasn’t available butthat he should leave his name and number and she’d call him back. Before thebeep sounded, he ended the call. Leaning back in his chair, he stared at theceiling. This woman! He needed answers.
Fifteenminutes later, he exited another Uber and strode up Andie’s walk. A dark-hairedwoman opened the door. Her eyes popped behind her bright red rims, remindinghim of a bug.
“Hi,”he said. The woman dropped her jaw. “I’m here to see Paige Paul—” Fuck it. “PaigeAnderson. I’m Beckett Miller.”
“I … Iknow,” the woman stammered.
Hearched an eyebrow. “You must be Katie. Can I come in?”
Flustered,she opened the door and stood aside. “I am. Yes, of course. Yes.”
Whenshe’d closed the door, he extended his hand. “Nice to meet you, Katie. I’ve hearda lot about you.”
Katielooked at his hand as if it might explode, then hesitantly took it. “You have?”
He bitback a wince and put on his magazine smile. “Yep, and I’m glad to finally meetyou. Is Paige here?”
Katieseemed to come to. “No, but she’ll be back anytime. You can wait
