I nodded and heaved a sigh. “Yes,” I said. “But when you have a free moment, would you mind cleaning this up?” I gestured down to all of the packing peanuts. “When everything is back in the box, please tape it up, set the box in my office, and lock the door.”
Isabelle frowned but she nodded. “Yes, Mr. Thomas,” she said. “Is that a present for Brett?”
I shrugged. “I have no idea,” I said, struggling to stay calm. “It arrived with no return address.”
Isabelle nodded. “I see,” she said. “Anything else, Mr. Thomas?”
“Yeah,” I said. “Please call my ex-wife and make sure she can take Brett over the weekend. I have reason to believe I’ll be entertaining.”
Isabelle nodded again. “Would you like me to do anything? Prepare for your company?”
“No, thank you,” I said. “That will be all, Isabelle.”
Isabelle darted back into the kitchen and I sighed and closed my eyes. Right now, the thought of bringing June here and fucking her senseless was the only thing keeping me sane.
I wondered how much other shit could possibly go wrong before I’d crack.
Chapter Twelve
June
I was shocked when Thomas showed up at my apartment on Friday evening, unannounced. He looked gorgeous in a tailored suit – I could tell that he’d come directly from work.
I could also tell that something was really bothering him. There seemed to be distance between us, distance that I couldn’t seem to reach. Thomas was acting both interested and cold…I wondered what was going on.
“I’ve arranged for Brett to spend the weekend with his mother,” Thomas said. He raised an eyebrow at me. “How about you come home with me and spend the night? We’ll order takeout,” he added. “Whatever kind you like.”
I flushed hotly. “Even cheap pizza?”
“No cheap pizza,” Thomas said. He smiled, but there was no hint of warmth or affection in his eyes. “But I promise you’ll enjoy yourself.”
I glanced down. “Should I…change?” I was still wearing the same jeans, blouse, and cardigan that I’d changed into when I’d come home from school. The event of the previous day had left me reeling, and my day had only been a success in that thankfully, I hadn’t seen Andy at all.
Thomas chuckled. “No need,” he said. “I think you look perfect. After all, we’re not exactly going to do anything fancy, now are we?”
I blushed. “I guess not,” I said softly.
After leaving a note for Angela, I stuck my cell phone charger in my purse and followed Thomas outside. This time, there was no Porsche – only a shiny black Lincoln SUV parked by the curb.
“Sometimes I don’t feel like driving,” Thomas said. He smirked. “So, I have a car service.”
“Ah,” I said. I bit my lip as Thomas helped me into the luxe expanse of the backseat.
The whole ride out of Brooklyn, Thomas was noticeably absent. He kept fiddling with his phone, fumbling all over the screen.
“Thomas, what’s bothering you?” I bit my lip, hoping he wouldn’t chew me out for asking.
“Don’t worry about it,” he said dismissively. “Just a rough week at work. What about you?”
I swallowed nervously. For a second, I almost told him what had happened with Andy in the alley…and the NYPD’s lackluster response. But I didn’t feel nearly as close to Thomas as I sometimes did. I figured I’d tell him later, after he’d relaxed.
“Oh, not much,” I said. I forced a smile. “I’m fine.”
It was dark by the time the Lincoln pulled up to Thomas’s building. I couldn’t help but gasp as he led me inside and we rode the elevator to the penthouse floor.
“This is beautiful,” I said softly. The walls of the elevator were papered in elegant leather. A masculine, woodsy smell hung about the building, as if somehow they only sold to wealthy, gorgeous men.
“It’s adequate,” Thomas said. “Brett doesn’t always enjoy it. He wishes that we had ou