“Not terrible is not exactly a ten, but you did threaten to poison me at the start.”

I laughed, feeling the ghost of his smile against my hair.

“Let me take you away for a few days after we finish tonight.” He was rubbing extremely enticing circles on my back with those big-ass hands of his. It was so hypnotic I almost said yes without really hearing the question. “A couple of days somewhere quiet. No phones...” God, that sounded like heaven.

“I can’t,” I told him with honest regret before I slithered away from him. “Besides, don’t you have to go to New York for the closing of that Valle Mar deal after we wrap today?” He looked so aggravated I almost laughed. “I have to work on the presentation, anyways.”

He narrowed his eyes and crossed his arms like a smart-ass. “You finished that.”

“I need to polish it up one more time,” I corrected. “And tonight I have to go out to see a client.” His mouth flattened in that forbidding line that annoyed the fuck out of me.

“Don’t you dare, Theo.” His shoulders only got tighter. “I need to work to pay my bills, and look,” I said, throwing my hands up. “I’m glad I didn’t stop taking clients while filming the show because neither of us know what Chase is going to do.” I should’ve just walked off to go get ready, but for some reason I hated seeing him all tied up in knots. “I’m just going to get some ‘after’ videos of the Evelyn Hugo room tonight. I’ll be here before you head to the airport. I’ll drive you.” You’d think I just told him I was getting him a puppy for Christmas with the way he grinned.

“Good, you going to let me drive you to the set today?” he asked all low and suggestive. I swear that man’s voice was like WD-40 for joints.

“No, I’m taking that couch on wheels you got me. I have that errand to run after, remember,” I called over my shoulder, as I walked to my room.

“I’m gonna make you dinner before my flight tonight, Alba Purificacion,” he yelled back, and I could hear the grin in his words.

Theo

I knew there was some bullshit afoot from the moment I walked into the library. For one, it was a million degrees and everyone from the construction to the filming crews were in pandemonium.

My jaw clamped at Chase’s belligerent voice rising above the din and I didn’t have to see him to know he was probably talking like that to one of the women on the crew. That asshole’s favorite pastime was to yell at literally anyone who was smaller than him.