Read Online Exposing the Heiress by Jennifer Apodaca - Free Book Online Page A

ground rules: friends only. She had to respect that, but then she’d come out here early this morning and found him sitting on the couch, so alone her heart cracked. She’d needed to touch him, and he’d let her by pulling her into his arms, wrapping the throw blanket around her and stroking her hair. She’d fallen asleep like that, with his heart beating against her skin.
    Now she was awake. Every nerve ending lighting up, her mouth drying as Hunt’s soap and clay scent filled her lungs. The memory of his arms around her ignited her longing, her lips tingled with the echoes of that kiss four days ago. In less than a week with Hunt, she felt more alive and real than she had in the last seven years.
    Say something! She lifted her gaze to his blue eyes and her chest pinged like she was fourteen years old again. He hadn’t let go of her upper arm, just loosened his hold, and rubbed his thumb over her skin. Tingles spread from that tiny touch. “Why were you looking for me?”
    He finally released her arm and leaned against the counter. “I have some updates.”
    Anxiety chased out her desire. “What?”
    Hunt’s eyes flattened. “Cooper Sims said your house is clean of bugs and cameras and he even had a mechanic go over your car. He’s changed all the locks and upgraded your security system.”
    Wow, that was thorough. “So you don’t think anyone was in my house?”
    Hunt’s jaw bulged. “Depends. What did you do with your engagement ring when you broke up with Madden?”
    “Gave it back.” She mentally retraced her steps. “I set it on the desk outside Nate’s office. He saw me. Why?”
    Hunt pulled out his phone and held it up.
    As soon as she saw the picture, shock twanged in her head. Her huge single-cut diamond ring in the platinum setting sat on a black cloth spread on her gold bedspread. “He had someone get into my house and leave the ring on my bed.”
    Hunt rubbed her arm. “That’s a stalker move, Lyssie. He’s showing you he can get into your bedroom anytime he wants, even when he’s out of the country. It’s not Parker doing it for him. We’re having him watched. Besides, the guards at the entrance would recognize him.”
    “Probably.” She looked up. “Nate’s having me watched, isn’t he?”
    “I believe so, and for a long time.” He put his phone away. “Nate appeared obsessed with you when he worked at Clout Law Group.”
    She tried to process it. “I hadn’t even met him then. Parker introduced Nate to me after he hired him.” It felt like she was spinning in a whirlpool.
    “You’re a powerful woman who’s on TV all the time. Cooper, Sienna, and I think he targeted you and worked through Parker to get to you. That he’s been watching you for a while, and had people inside Dragon Wing that were gathering information for him. That’s how he figured out how to approach and win you over.” He took a breath. “Do you trust your assistant, Maxine?”
    “Yes. 100 percent.”
    Leaning an arm on the counter, he studied her. “Why?”
    “I fired two assistants, Noreen Atkins for taking pictures of me and posting them on social media, and then Shea Foley for going through my things. That’s when I offered Maxine the job. She and Nate hate each other. Seriously hate each other.”
    “Could be an act.”
    “Maxine befriended me in college. She’s the one who forced me to start driving again.”
    Surprise flashed over his face. “You stopped driving?”
    “After the accident I was scared, terrified. I relied on drivers, but Maxine was having none of that and made me do it. She pushed me to be independent. She knows who I am, but she’s never asked me for anything. She’s my friend.” Alyssa held up a hand. “Before you ask, I never told her about Eli. I met her after I gave him up.”
    “Okay.” Hunt met her stare. “There’s more.”
    Her heart ballooned in her chest at the seriousness of his tone. “What happened?”
    “About four a.m. this morning, Griff