Chapter 12：Mia

Finally I opened my eyes and stared at the pale blue shirt that seemed oddly familiar to me. My heart pumped loudly within my chest as I drifted my eyes from the broad chest up to the muscular neck, to the firm jawline, the sensuous lips, and then the aquiline nose.

I stopped there because I knew I just couldn't go any farther. I knew I'd seen that face already, a mere hour ago, in fact. I knew if I were to go farther and meet those Prussian-blue eyes, I'd become breathless again with a sort of electrifying excitement as well as foreboding apprehension. Of course I wouldn't be able to think clearly.

To be sure, I wasn't thinking clearly now. I mean, I never even thought about why the man with gorgeous Prussian-blue eyes, the man who had nearly driven into me, was here in this house that belonged to Mr. Maxwell in the first place. Or the fact that I was in his arms, naked and dripping wet. I didn't consider it was odd I found nothing wrong with the situation and, rather, felt very natural. I felt like I belonged there, naked and in his arms.

The dog barked again, securing my attention. I turned my gaze to it and glared. Butchered pieces of my bars were scattered on the floor and the dog's mouth, evidence of the beast devouring my limited resources for survival. My backpack was ripped and torn, with damaged panties and bras and other pieces of clothing lying haphazardly on the floor.

I was pissed. Had no one in this humongous, expensive house fed this starving little beast of a dog? And my clothing and one and only backpack were ruined.

I stepped back and rushed out of the tight embrace of the man. I didn't even care to think what I'd look like as I rushed over to the dog, naked, bending down on my hands and knees, with my rear on full display for the hot stranger to see.

I realized my mistake after I'd gathered my clothes, clutching them in front of me. The moment I lifted myself and met his eyes, I wanted to die.

There was blue fire there. His gaze was hot and intense, and it made my body respond in a way I could never be able to describe. A hot rush of excitement and pure agony and dread whirled through my being, making me want to be anywhere but here. I swallowed, my whole body now trembling as he paced toward me.

His gait, powerful and sexy, made me take a step back, ready to bolt.

He stopped right in front of me. When I just stood there, staring at the broadness of his amazing chest, he said, "Mia Donovan?"

I slowly tilted back my head and stared at his chin. That strong, beautiful chin that suddenly made me want to touch and stroke it. The urge in me was so strong that I felt pure pain aching within me.

"Yes?" I replied slowly, my throat dry.

"You're so timid and juvenile." He described my flaws to me. His next words made me want to stab a knife into his heart. "How the fuck are you going to find me that two million?"

I flashed my eyes to him, anger flooding through me. My whole body trembled as I said, "Mr. J. Maxwell?"

His response was, "You've messed up my room."

I held my head high and snapped, "It was the dog's fault. It took my bag and destroyed my clothes. It even ate my food."

He narrowed his eyes at me, and I suddenly realized I was treading on thin ice. Any moment now I would fall into the hell he had Andy in.

Yes, I'd come to the realization this man—this very hot, amazingly handsome man with beautiful Prussian-blue eyes—was the Mr. J. Maxwell, the man I'd dreaded meeting. The man Andy owed two million dollars. The man who would have Andy shot dead in an instant just because he wanted to and had the power to, without even the police stepping in and tarnishing his pristine and powerful image.

The dog chose that moment to run to its master, whimpering at the man with a cuteness no person could ever resist, including me, who'd never liked dogs.

Mr. J. Maxwell bent down and lifted the canine. "What have you been eating, Alfie? You'll get sick from it."

He turned his attention to me, one handsome brow raised. "Oh?"

I noticed him eyeing me again, which I didn't want. I suddenly felt self-conscious. Trying to cover myself from his intense and interested gaze with pieces of ripped clothing wasn't going to do it. Thus I looked to the towel near his feet. Without thinking, I rushed forward, bent low, and retrieved the white thing, avoiding master and dog as much as I could.

I turned my back to him as I awkwardly wrapped the towel around me. When I gave my attention to him again, he was looking at me, his face stern.

I waited as he continued to stare, which really unsettled me. I was about to say something when he quipped, "Get dressed and meet me in my office."

He walked past me to the door, and I remembered to ask him, "Where's your office?"

"Ms. Lane will show you there," he said over his shoulder and then closed the door with a click.