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“Maddux” She beamed up at the cas you’ve done for ood day at work I do believe there’s a chance of refor you after all”

Her phone vibrated on the counter Don’t count on it, sweetheart You have ten et your ass downstairs

She could easily iruff words in that bossy, stern voice of his that made her panties damp and aroused her way tooand all she’d ever felt toward his imperious attitude was irritation and displeasure

Feeling naughty and wanting to stir a bit of Maddux’s baser desires and give hi to rev his motor for the day, she playfully, obediently saluted hiht now”

Less than ten minutes later, she , in the designated lobby area The e as Maddux if she had to guess

When they reached the black BMW he drove, he opened the passenger door for her and she slid inside, grateful that he wasn’ther sit in the backseat On the drive to work, at least Milo was personable and talked to her, but any conversation about his employer, Maddux Wilder, was off-limits Clearly, he was a loyal and trusted staff member for MadX-Tech who valued his job, and Arabella respected his fealty

Mondays were always busy at the university library, which Arabella was grateful for because it kept her et done, outstanding preservation projects that needed her attention, and a staffthat lasted most of the afternoon, the hours passed quickly

Likeout to a nearby restaurant with colleagues, she ordered so area that could be delivered and eaten at her desk while she worked While she was friendly with her co-workers, being the introvert that she was and always had been, those relationships were mostly superficial A few of the women asked her about the fairy-tale ball she’d attended over the weekend—out of both curiosity and envy—and Arabella told theer to hearthat it had been lavish, lively, and unforgettable

It wasn’t a lie The Wilder Way charity ball had been all those things, even if the night had played out ined Not that she shared her new living arrangements or her father’s betrayal with any of them

When five o’clock rolled around and she walked out of the library, Milo aiting for her by the concrete steps, right where he’d been when she’d entered the building that

“Catch any bad guys today during your watch?” she teased him

An aed at his lips “No, ma’am It was a very quiet and slow day”

“And boring, I’uard, watching as he texted on his phone, certain she kneho he was corresponding with “Tell Maddux that we’re not coht away,” she said, which earned her a raised brow fro to try and etaway I just wanted to stop at that little Italianso I can pick up so to make for dinner”

“Okay,” he said, and relayed the e

Maddux must not have had an issue with her request, because Milo drove her directly to Moretti’s Italian Grocery and Deli As soon as she walked inside with her bodyguard at her side, an older arious smile