“You came to me,” he says. “I’ve lived here for more than a year. Also, this is a free country. You’re the one who, as I explained earlier, disturbed my peaceful night. I’m in my apartment, minding my own business. Suddenly, you’re flaunting that gorgeous body, blocking my view and—distracting me.”

And now, I’m the one distracted by him and those sexy bedroom eyes. Just one night. If we could do it for one last time, the craving will go away. I lick my lips, and his smug smile reminds me why we shouldn’t be together.

“I didn’t come to you,” I argue. “In any case, you should go back to doing your own thing while I try to practice yoga.”

“That’s a nice request, but see, now I feel like talking. Would you like a drink?” He offers.

Is he insane?

“Leave me alone.”

“Come on, Claire Bear, let’s have a little chat.”

“No.”

“You could answer a few questions,” he proposes. “Tit for tat.”

He’s relentless and I would love to say no, but I know better. His determination knows no limits. “After that you’ll leave me alone?”

“For tonight,” he confirms. “Just a few tactical questions that I’m trying to understand. It’s easier to go to the source than google or just assume everything I read or hear is true. Learned that lesson a couple of years ago.”

“Really, that’s interesting. A little too late, isn’t it?”

“Let’s start with something easy,” he says. “How long have you worked for Blend?”

“Since I moved to New York,” I answer.

“Shelby Blank stole you from me,” he says, shaking his head.

I shrug.

“Why did they move Blend to Denver?”

“It’s in the middle of everything,” I don’t expand any further.

“Strategic location.” He nods a couple of times. “Did you bring a boyfriend with you?”

“Pass,” I say.

“That’s it, you’re going to pass?” He chuckles.

“It’s none of your business.”

“You’re my business, Claire. I want to know why you’re here, who you came with, and why the company didn’t do a press release to announce the opening of this location.”

“We wanted to make the transition without distracting her retirement.”

He nods a couple of times. I can hear the wheels inside his head turning. Is he worried about this move? I should research his company. I know 23 Media Inc is successful, but I haven’t looked into it.

“Jonathan is taking over,” he says and I realize the guy has done some research. “Wouldn’t it be smarter to send the second in command to London. Why did they send you to Denver?”

“How do you know that?”

“I finally googled you and stopped looking for morsels of you on Instagram.”

“You sound like a stalker.”