Chapter 6

HAILEY

Hailey screamed, instinctively shielding her nakedness. She spun around, her shock quickly morphing into anger.

“Are you kidding me?” she shouted at Valerian. “Ever heard of knocking?”

He just smirked, making no move to leave, his gaze lingering on her trembling form.

Spotting her towel, Hailey lunged for it, wrapping it around herself in a hurry. She was seething, struggling to find the right words.

He looked like he was enjoying the show.

~What’s wrong with this guy? He’s got no sense of decency.~

She wanted to scream at him, but her words were stuck.

“Hailey, I—”

She cut him off with a stinging slap.

“Screw you!”

With that, she stormed off, leaving a stunned Valerian in her wake.

~Now he knows how it feels to be invaded and—worse—ogled.~

Hailey let out a frustrated sigh. Now fully dressed in her work uniform, she headed out for her next job.

Sitting on the bus, she replayed the day’s events.

~My boss saw me naked! How much worse can it get? I need to forget this and act professional, or at least try~, she thought.

“Hailey!” Matt approached her, his smile warm and familiar. They’d known each other for two years, and he was the best. He was also two years her senior.

They used to work full-time together, but since she took on a day job, she only worked part-time now, and had to take the night shift, which was new to her.

The restaurant was upscale and catered to the wealthy.

“I bet you’ll get more tips now that your pretty face is here,” Matt said, his chocolate eyes twinkling.

“Really?” She shot him a sarcastic look.

MATT

He watched Hailey tie her apron—she was so beautiful, yet so aloof.

Why did she keep him at arm’s length when all he wanted was to be there for her?

She wasn’t like other girls.

She never blushed or seemed flattered by compliments. She was like an ice queen, cold and distant. But that only made him fall for her more.

“What?” Matt was jolted back to reality when he realized he’d been staring. “What is it, Matt?” Hailey asked again. “You spaced out.”

“Uh, it’s nothing, Hailey,” he said.

“Oh, okay.” She shrugged and walked towards the door to greet customers, her smile not quite reaching her eyes.

~What would it take to break through her walls and make her truly happy?~

VALERIAN

Colhane had left for the day. Valerian was wrapping up work, ready to call it a night, when he heard a noise.

What was that? Was someone breaking into his company? He cautiously approached the noise, which seemed to be coming from the bathroom.

Was this a diversion? Would someone attack him from behind when he opened the curtain and found no one there?

~Only one way to find out.~ He yanked the curtain open, unprepared for the sight that met his eyes.

There was Hailey, naked and breathtakingly beautiful.

Why did he find her so attractive? He needed to sleep with her soon to get her out of his system. He wanted to join her in the shower. But then she grabbed a towel and covered herself.

He was met with a slap that left him reeling.

“Screw you!” she yelled.

Then she was gone. Her fiery spirit only made him want her more.

He grabbed his bag and decided to go for a drink.

He pulled up at Je T’aime and parked his car. He was greeted by familiar faces, some friendly, some fearful, as he walked in.

He could feel the envy from the men and the longing from the women who wanted him.

“Welcome to Je T—”

And there was Hailey, staring at him with wide, shocked eyes.