“Then why?” I probed. Still wanting to find the real reason he was trying to get me under his roof. “I find it hard to believe it’s just my company you’re yearning for.”He seems like he can barely tolerate me most days.“Told you. Like the presence of a woman.” He went back to scanning the room with those alert eyes. “The smell of woman shampoo conditioners, candles, the general vibrant softness that she brings to a room. Things are better when one is around.”That was a horribly intimate thing to say.“I’ve never heard a man talk like that.”“How many do you know that were raised, with all brothers, by their father?” He tugged at the cuff of one sleeve pulling his jacket off and setting free some wide shoulders as he meticulously plucked the collar to find a center line and folded it. Setting it on the benched seat next to him.“No mom?”He returned his attention to me. “That’s a tale for another day, Punkin’.”Punkin’ means he’s being disdainful. I noticed.I eyed him skeptically.

“Fine, Porter.” I said bitterly.“As in, yes?”“Yes.”“Good.”“I’ll move $20,000 to the account to the Meridian tonight.”“What about another $5,000?” I said meekly. Hating asking but knowing I needed it for mom’s surgery.He set the glass down on the table. “Soon as you’re done moving in tomorrow.”“Tomorrow?” I squawked.He nodded. Confirming. “Tomorrow.”“That’s not even possible.”“It is. I’ll help you.”“How are you going to do that? Load boxes in your Spider?”“I’ll borrow my brother’s truck. And my brothers.”“Porter…”“Kane.”“Porter…” I said warily.“Stop stalling, Love. Give up the game. I got you.”He’s right.I’ve no choice. I was going to move in with him. What did I think I was going to do? Get the money and stall him?Looking at Porter’s hard features and the way he was commanding this club. Running it like a force of nature, I was quite sure that ‘accidentally’ forgetting to move in would never work.He’d probably toss me over his shoulder screaming.“This is partly be

It was around 9:00 a.m. when my phone dinged.I lifted it, head already tucked on my shoulders like a beaten pup. Knowing who was sending me a message.The same man that wore my bra as a hand towel.I lifted it and saw I had, at some point, listed him in my phone as ‘Oversight’.Because it’s his job position.Now I was thinking every interaction I’d had with the man had been an ‘Oversight.’And he knows my darkest secret.Though he was helping me cover the account now.And prepared to loan me the money to cover mom’s surgery today. Which was scheduled for 1:00 p.m.If I let him transfer that money and take that loan, I owe him.He’s going to want more than a woman taking over his apartment. And as his boss, I was setting myself up for a lifetime of blackmail.Not good. I swallowed hard.I don’t have a choice. I had to answer.I clicked the button and tentatively lifted the phone to my ear, sitting on the edge of my bed sorrowfully, I chewed my thumbnail as I muttered hello.“Don’t sou

I could hear Elizabeth’s voice in the next room and afterward she came out with a scrap of glossy white paper. Handing it to me. I reflexively folded it and stuck it in the back pocket of my jeans.“Can I see her?”“Of course, you can be with her up until she goes into the actual surgical room. Then if you stay outside, we’ll give you regular updates.”My throat constricted and I could no longer form words, so I just nodded.One of the clerks walked me to her room.“Mom.” I said. Rushing to her.“Hey, Baby Girl.”I didn’t know why she still called me that. But it made me feel precious and loved. “Are they treating you well.”“They always do, Honey.” She caught my hand and gave it a tender squeeze.It was hard to imagine that this was the same woman who’d given up her College Master’s to raised me and spent many lonely nights working two jobs to raise me by herself after my dad was killed in a drunk driving accident.Even while she was grieving, she was strong for me.I remembered only

“Doesn’t seem like you’re struggling.” I remarked.“Perhaps not like that. But as far as sympathy and sensitivity, I’ve been told I can come off rather…”“Harsh?”“Thanks.” He frowned. “But, yes.”“You are harsh.”“I don’t intend to be.” He defended.“I don’t think you do, I just think you’re incredibly direct and most people don’t know how to take that.”“I suppose not.” He grumbled. Walking away. He rounded the kitchen bar. “You hungry?”Starving.“No.” I said slowly. “I’m okay.”My stomach gave a drawn-out growl in objection. The mere idea of food making it holler. I tried to recall what I’d eaten earlier today and realized I hadn’t.It’s been a weird day.He leaned across the counter. Propping his chin on his palm to give me a pointed green-eyed stare.“Fine.” I conceded. “I’m hungry.”***“I noticed.” He straightened. The hint of amusement tingeing his tone. He washed his hands in the sink and moved to find a pan.“There’s one in the box here.” I lifted it out and handed it to hi