5

ROME

It was either Carly who tried to be dumb, or she didn’t have any idea what Adley was doing. But she didn’t remotely look dumb. She was something, but dumb was not one of them. 

And I knew what Adley had been doing. She thought this responsibility over the business I’d been carrying over my shoulder had to do with my less time spent with them or my lack of activity in dating apps that put me under a dry spell. And she thought Carly Storm was the right girl. 

Since she found out I’d never been in a relationship since my discharge from the service, she’d been trying to let me go out there and have some fun.

I had a few one-night stands because I had needs as well, and I was far from being a saint. Right now, there were more pressing matters that needed my attention than my damn dick.

But I wanted this to be done so that Adley would stop bugging me and setting me up on blind dates. 

I mean, Carly Storm would be a perfect candidate. In contrast to her name, she could brighten the stormy skies with her smile, and those damn eyes lit up when something excited her, even though she’d hidden some emotions so deep. 

I wondered what was it like if she came. Would she blush or maybe scream? I groaned harder, pushing the thought out of my head,

I was not good at reading people, but she hid something behind that smile as if she’d been terribly hurt and held something—a deep, dark secret. Maybe she was true about the runaway part.

“Let me know if you change your mind. I mean, we can still catch up over a coffee,” Adley insisted. 

I still remember how she and Mykel met. It was not something you’d like to tell your grandchildren, but now looking at them, the universe was just in favor of them that day. They were a perfect couple.

After Adley saved her number on Carly’s phone, she gestured at me while Carly went to Amelie on the carpet as the lovely girl played with her toys.

I went to her. “Is my debt paid?”

The view of the skyscraper behind the glass window was just like mine. You wouldn’t see any chaos but peace and serenity outside. That was what I liked about the office in the tower.

She chuckled, pinching my arm. “Not even close. Did you make a move?”

“What move?” I played coy. 

“She’s so beautiful, like a Disney princess character. Where did you even find her?”

I remained clueless. “She applied for a job.”

“Playing dumb, are we?”

“I’m afraid I am clueless.”

“Screw the fraternization policy. Ask her out. I like her. And I saw how you looked at her, dumbass.”

“What look?”

“You are attracted to her, but you’re trying hard to be a military guy, trying to focus on your mission. Well, let me tell you this,” she said as she poked my arm. “Your mission now is to make her fall for you.” She then squeezed my arms with a wicked smile. “That’s an order, Lieutenant.”

“I’m a Captain, Adley. And you are way too ahead of yourself. I don’t even like her. She talks too much.”

“You mean she’s opinionated, smart, and alpha female?” Why does everyone saying the same thing about Carly?

I heard Carly giggle and Amelie laugh, which caught my attention. She had a full-blown smile on her face. I couldn’t help but smile as I watched her tickle Amelie, and the crease on my forehead somehow disappeared. 

I always thought of having a family someday, having a kid or two, sending them to school, watching them play, and growing old with my wife. Just not right now. I had too much on my plate, and relationship was not my priority.

“That’s what I’m talking about.”

Carly must have felt that someone was watching her—that I was watching her. She turned her head at me, and our gazes met. For a moment, she looked genuinely happy as she enjoyed playing with Amelie. Her eyes were so expressive, and I couldn’t take my eyes off her until she looked away.

“I can’t—”

“That’s bullshit.”

“I’m not ready. And she’s my employee. Find me another woman, but not her.”

“Right. I’ll set her up with Knox, then.”

I instantly felt the rush of my blood toward my face as I glared at Adley. “Why?”

“What’s wrong? Knox is single and a good man,” she said defensively.

“I mean, what are you doing? You can’t just play matchmaker, Adley.”

“Why not? I want this world to be full of love and happy people. Not gloomy ones like you.” She glared back at me. “And Knox is a talented artist.” She then left me and went to Carly. “Carly, do you like art?”

Carly’s eyes lit up. “Yeah. My family—” She stopped as if something triggered her memory. “They collect arts and support local artists.”

“My brother-in-law, Knox. He’s an artist. He’s terrific. See that?” She pointed at one of Knox’s works on the wall. It was a Fauvism art of a woman who lost her right eye. “That’s one of his works.”

Carly suddenly took an interest in the art, inspecting it. “It’s new, around two years old. The artist is inspired by his emotion, particularly his pain. In my opinion, losing the woman’s eye represents her refusal to see the truth before her. Or she was too blinded by her ambition, her future, to see what was right in front of her. Your brother-in-law has his way with colors. He’s good.”

I swallowed hard, crossing my arms over my chest. I was not only impressed by her analysis, but she impressed me. Who the hell is this woman? 

It still puzzled me.

And we didn’t have something in common. I bought art because it caught my eye, but that was all. Maybe Knox would be suitable for her.

I looked away. My jaw clenched as I still caught Adley watching my reaction all this time. 

“Storm, we have to go.” I pretended to check the time on my wristwatch. 

“It was really nice meeting you, Adley.”

Adley pulled her into a hug and whispered something. 

“I’ll see you soon, my girl Amelie.” I kissed her on the cheek. 

The beautiful girl grinned at me. 

Adley came to kiss me on the cheek. “You have two days, or you will be in misery watching Knox and Carly together.”

“You’re an evil incarnate.”

She just laughed at me.

We rode in the elevator in silence like two strangers. I didn’t know what to say or do. For the first time, I ran out of words.

I walked away as soon as the door slid open, and judging by the clicking of her high heels, she was catching up. We reached the parking area when I just heard my name.

“Rome!”

I cursed under my breath.

“Langston!”

I clenched my jaw hard before I stopped and turned around.

“You didn’t tell me you’re visiting my boss.” Sax and I did a brotherly hug with a shoulder clap.

“Technically, your boss is Mykel. It was unplanned,” I said casually, but Sax knew me better than that. And, of course, it was hard not to notice my companion.

Sax’s eyes lit up as if he might recognize her from the club, pointing his finger at Carly. “Have we met before?”

Carly smiled. “I don’t think so, sir.”

Her accent caught Sax’s attention. “Yeah. Of course, I would have remembered you. But I swear I saw you somewhere, or maybe you remind me of someone. I’m Sax Ryder.”

Carly politely accepted the hand offered to her for a handshake. “Carly. Carly Storm. Mr. Langston’s new assistant.”

Sax opened his mouth to say something when I interrupted him. 

“Now that you two are properly acquainted. Let’s go, Storm. Bro, let’s catch up later.” We were about to walk away, but Sax just couldn’t shut his mouth.

“Wait.”

I squeezed my eyes shut before I groaned. “Yeah.”

“The brunette.” Fuck you, Ryder.

“The brunette?” Carly inquired, clearly curious.

“It’s nothing. He thought you looked like the brunette he met years ago.”

“Oh.” By the look on her face, she was not entirely buying it, but that was all she got.

“Yeah. You just look familiar. That’s all. It was nice meeting you, Carly. See you around.”

“You too, Sax.”

I was finally able to let go of a deep breath once we got in the car. “Zee, take us to a restaurant. I’m starving.”

“Um, sir. I’d like to go to the office if you don’t mind. I have work—”

Screw work! “You will join me for lunch. Then you will work after.”

I heard her swallow. “Whatever you say, sir.”

“What did Adley whisper to you?”

Her head snapped in my direction. “Sir?”

I eyed her sternly. “You heard me.”

“I think it was between Mrs. Creed and me.” She composed herself. A blush color appeared on her cheeks.

“Really?”

“Yes, sir.”

“You like art, huh?”

“My family does. I learned a few tricks.”

“That’s quite a lot of tricks. Like interpreting a piece of art.”

“It’s actually your own interpretation. Connoisseurs have a different opinion. For me, it’s how an artist represents emotions in colors, how it conveys a person. It doesn’t matter if it’s a bad painting. It’s still an art.”

“I get it. I have no knowledge.”

“Adley asked if I could model for Knox.”

A sliver of jealousy spiked into me. “No fucking way.” My words came out more harshly than I meant them to.

Carly’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at me. “If I could get paid in my free time. Why not?”

“I’ll pay you double.”

“To do what?” She blinked in surprise.

“To not be his model,” I admitted harshly.

“I don’t suppose to post naked, do I?”

Thinking about her posting naked in front of Knox made me want to strangle her and Knox together. And she was considering it. 

Fuck. I’m going to strangle Adley instead.

“Don’t even think about it.”

“But—”

“Storm.”

“It’s Carly.”

“I don’t give a fuck. I will call you by whatever pleases me.”

She stared at me in stunned, opened-mouth silence.

“What?”

“For a moment, I thought, maybe, Adley was right. But that’s preposterous and impossible, sir.”