“Well, if it isn’t the man whose predator king reputation precedes him.” Her voice drips sugar and vinegar at the same time. “I’ve been friends with Seraphina for years. Believe me, I know all about you.”
She gives him the kind of once-over that should strip paint, and I’m scandalized.
“Mr. Billionaire’s playing mover now? What’s the matter? Your jet in the shop?”
He lifts the plate of kolaches an inch, utterly unruffled. “I have food.”
In this moment, I admire him more than I ever have.
Lila lifts her giant iced latte in his direction. “I’m sure we’ll enjoy them. We’ve got it from here. I’m sure you have billionaire stuff to do. Like destroying more lives.” She uses her free hand to shoo him away. “Off you fuck.”
Before my cheeks can catch fire completely, there’s another knock—two crisp raps in perfect sync. Blackwell pivots, opens the door like he’s done this a hundred times, and in stream three uniformed movers in spotless matching polos and efficient smiles.
My stomach drops. “Wait—what? I can’t afford?—”
“Part of your housewarming gift, Ms. Hollis.” His tone is final, steel beneath the soft. His eyes lock on mine, daring me to argue. “You’re not going to win this.”
I swallow, feeling heat bloom under my collar. “You really?—”
He just arches an eyebrow. “I’m not leaving, Seraphina, even though your friend suggested otherwise.” After sparing her a glance, he looks back at me. “I’m staying to help.”
My protest shrivels on my tongue when Lila shockingly jumps in. “Accept the help and say thank you.”
“But—”
“Spend his damn money. You wouldn’t be living here in the first place if it wasn’t for that asshat.” She flashes me a look that says Don’t argue. “I about died from heat exhaustion on the way over here. I wasn’t looking forward to hauling boxes down all those flights of stairs.”
He glances around my tiny kingdom of half-filled boxes and open cabinets, then settles his expectant stare on me. “What’s left?”
I’m too tired to fight both of them, and she’s right about the wilting heat. Defeated, I blow out a breath. “There’re still a few things in the kitchen. Some drawers in the bathroom. And a few personal things in my bedroom.” Things I’d rather not have a stranger—him—see.
Lila’s grin proves she knows exactly what kind of personal things I’m talking about. “I’ll let you handle that while I pack up the bathroom. Blackheart can handle the kitchen.”
I freeze, remembering his reaction when I slipped and called him that.
Other than raising an eyebrow, he doesn’t even acknowledge the barb. Instead, his gaze flicks to me. He’s wearing a half smile, as if he’d also guessed what I meant about the bedroom. “Got my assignment.”
I’m too flustered to process this domestic version of him. Is he the same man who buried me in a scandal three years ago? Now he’s delivering sausage rolls and taping a moving box shut like it’s foreplay.
I spin back, grab a half-empty box, and rush down the hallway.
Before I can get interrupted, I start grabbing bras, panties, and the one piece of lingerie I splurged on the year before I lost everything. Then I reach for the top drawer—where my toys are tucked behind a stash of extra batteries.
Of course that’s when I sense him behind me. Tall, broad, all polished control in worn boots and rolled sleeves.
His shadow falls across the dresser. I snatch my vibrator and dildo like they’re a snake, drop them in the box, and slam the flaps down. Expression serious, not betraying anything, he looks at me and says nothing.
Instead, he picks up the packing tape roll from the nightstand and seals the box in one long swipe across the top.
The sound of the tape tearing feels louder than my heartbeat.
“That’s handled. All contents safe and secure.”
Is it possible for me to die of embarrassment?
When the last box is sealed, he heads back into the living room to oversee the movers like some mafia don of home relocation—giving crisp instructions that make the uniformed guys hop like trained puppies.
Lila clutches her iced coffee like it’s a talisman warding off billionaire devil magic as he double checks the straps on the dolly.