Twisted Love (Modern Romance #3) - Piper Lawson Page 0,29

my clients the benefit of the doubt. But when they’re not upfront with me, yes, I’ll do my best to prepare however I can."

Aiden stalks past me and out the door.

When he’s gone, Camila says, “I’m sorry. You did well. And you’re right about one thing. None of us are perfect.” Her smile is kind. “I know we’re taking up a lot of your time, and I know you’re well compensated for it. Richard wouldn’t have it any other way. But I appreciate what you’re giving up for this.”

“It’s no problem.”

“Come on.” Her knowing look has me relaxing a few degrees. “Let me guess. You’ve shifted other clients to your team. Rearranged everything. I know because Richard expects it of everyone.”

“It’s a big opportunity for us. Small sacrifices in the short run for something bigger than myself.”

Her sigh is loud and surprisingly honest. “I understand it better than you imagine.”

When she leaves, I cross to the floor-to-ceiling windows and press a hand against my eyes.

My email is exploding with actual clients, ideas from Kendall and Rena and my other employees. When I check my calendar, I notice I forgot some files at home for an afternoon meeting.

My brain and my calendar are a mess thanks to the Vane wedding. Now, I need to add to my schedule for this afternoon running interference to find out what really happened.

This will pay off for my company, I remind myself as I head back to my apartment, which I never do in the middle of the day. And this month will be worth it if I can pay Lily's tuition.

We all have our strengths, and leaning into them is the best thing we can do. Lil’s the smartest kid I know, and nothing interferes with her schoolwork.

I resist the temptation to grab another coffee on the way home. Last night, I struggled to get to sleep, and it wasn’t Aiden and Camila’s fault—at least not directly. Yes, I did some more digging based on what Ben told me, but that was when I already couldn’t sleep.

When I finally got to sleep, I was tormented by a dream.

Ben and I are sitting in a parked car in the dark.

My heart pounding through my back against the seat.

He leans over the console, catching my hair where it's somehow gotten stuck in the door.

Instead of pulling back, he stays close, our faces inches apart. The tension rises from nowhere, thick and undeniable and hot.

Then he kisses me.

He tastes like desperation and pent-up need.

I want all of it, all of him. His fierceness sets me on fire and I kiss him back, our lips and tongues clashing like we’re at war.

Ben drags me across the car and into his lap.

His hands are on my legs, my ass. He reaches for my shirt, and we strip it off. I want his hands on me, and when he spans my ribs, I moan into his mouth and grind against him.

I work on the zipper of his pants.

I need more. I need everything.

His eyes are dilated orbs, reflecting back every bit of desire I’m feeling.

“You sure?” he asks roughly.

I nod.

I woke with the sheets tangled around my legs and the digital clock reading an hour before my alarm was set to go off. After showering off the sweat, I headed to work.

Now, hours later, I let myself in the front door of my apartment, making a beeline for my desk to grab the files sitting on top.

The sound of laughter down the hall has me frowning, because my sister has class now.

I tuck the files under my arm and pad toward Lil’s nearly closed door. I nudge the door open.

What I find has my stomach lurching.

My little sister is in bed with a guy.

“Oh, crap,” she mutters when she sees me, her eyes going round.

The guy looks over his shoulder at me, tossing his hair out of his face. When he takes in the expression I’m wearing, he shifts off my sister. “I’m out.”

“Wait,” Lily calls as he stumbles out of bed, pulling his jeans over the boxer shorts he has on.

I step back to allow him—maybe speed him—on his way to the door past me before I round on my sister.

"I barely know him,” she says, as if that makes it better.

Thoughts and feelings collide in my stomach—surprise, frustration.

“I get that you missed a deadline to keep your scholarship because you were focused on classes. But don’t you have class now? Please tell me you’re not skipping for some