Chapter 2

I went.

What else could I do? Cressida's offer would cover my sister's bills for another two months.

I told myself: he doesn't know who I am. The lights are off. Just think of it as work.

But that night, he was out of his mind.

I bit down on the pillow to keep quiet, terrified my voice might give me away.

By the time it was over, the sun was almost up.

I slipped out while he was asleep, legs so weak I nearly collapsed in the hallway.

I was late to work.

I dragged myself to my desk with dark circles under my eyes, aching everywhere. Becca leaned over from the next cubicle. "Tatum, you okay? You look awful."

I was about to brush it off when I caught a dark figure approaching.

Stellan.

He was wearing a black shirt today, sleeves rolled up, exposing his forearms—

And a bite mark.

My bite mark.

I snapped my head down, heart hammering.

He walked past my desk. He didn't stop. He kept walking.

I let out a breath and peeked up at his back—just as he turned around, catching my eyes.

That look. Cold. Heavy.

My scalp prickled.

Did he figure it out?

No way. I had a full face of makeup last night, hair down. I look nothing like that right now.

I gave myself a mental pep talk and turned back to my computer.

Work email.

Becca from admin had asked me to send the data report to Mr. Cross yesterday. I thought I did.

I opened my sent folder.

Then turned to stone.

The attachment on that email wasn't the spreadsheet.

It was the form Cressida made me fill out.

The test-sleep review.

Stamina rating. Intensity rating. Overall satisfaction...

And my personal notes from when I was slacking off: 【Not gentle!! Too rough!】

The room spun.

No no no no no.

I practically launched myself toward the CEO's office, one thought in my head: delete it before he sees it.

I pushed open the door. He was sitting behind his desk. He looked up, one eyebrow raised.

"Tatum Voss?" His eyes flicked to my name tag. "Can I help you?"

His computer was on.

The email inbox was open.

I felt my heart flatline.

"Mr. Cross, I—I might have accidentally sent you a spam email. Could you maybe—"

"Email?" He glanced at his screen, voice flat. "I haven't received any emails."

He turned the monitor toward me.

The inbox was empty.

I blinked.

Nothing? Delayed? Filtered out?

Whatever. Just survive this.

I was about to excuse myself when he spoke again. "What's that on your neck?"

His gaze had dropped to my collarbone.

I looked down—my collar had loosened, exposing a red mark from last night.

I yanked my shirt closed, face on fire. "It's—my boyfriend—"

"Boyfriend?" He repeated the word, tone unreadable. "Sounds passionate."

I couldn't look at him. I mumbled something and bolted.

Back at my desk, my heart still wouldn't stop racing.

That look he gave me just now.

Like he already knew something I didn't.

My phone buzzed. Cressida.

【Tatum! My fiancé's being all romantic now! He asked if I wanted to move into his villa!】

【Obviously I said no, who knows what he's up to】

【But he gave me an access card. Said I could come anytime. I don't want it—you take it. Use it as storage or whatever~】

I stared at the message, then glanced toward the CEO's office.

Move into his villa?

Was she insane?

I said no immediately.

But three days later—

"Miss, you need to move out by tomorrow. My relatives are coming."

That call did it.

I looked at the access card in my hand.

He said he rarely stayed there.

Just a few days. Until I find somewhere else.

He won't find out.

Right?