For the past couple of days, Elissa had made it her morning ritual to call her teacher and check in on Jacqueline’s recovery. The news was always reassuring–Jacqueline was doing well, and the worst had passed.


    Ding–dong-


    Just as she closed the fridge door, the doorbell rang again.


    Assuming Janice must have forgotten something, Elissa hurried over to answer it. But as soon as she cracked the door open, Max darted inside, weaving between her legs and rubbing against her affectionately.


    She scooped Max up and nced outside, expecting someone to be there, but the hallway was empty. Even the apartment across the hall was shut tight.


    She ruffled the dog’s head. “Did Rowan lock you out again?”


    “Woof woof!”


    Max nuzzled her a bit, then–as if suddenly remembering something


    important–grabbed the hem of her dress in his teeth and tugged her toward the


    hallway.


    “Where are you trying to take me?” Elissaughed despite herself, hurriedly shrugging on a jacket, snatching her phone and purse, and following him out.


    But Max didn’t lead her anywhere new. Instead, he headed straight back toward home.


    Now, woman and dog stood in front of Rowan’s apartment door.


    Max looked up at her with those deep, soulful eyes, then nced meaningfully at the doorbell, clearly urging her to ring it.


    Elissa raised an eyebrow. “Can’t you press the doorbell yourself?”


    Max seemed to understand. He made a valiant leap, but no matter how hard he tried, his paws couldn’t reach the button.


    Elissa blinked. So… the doorbell at her ce earlier-


    She pressed the doorbell for him. After a moment, Rowan finally opened the door.


    He leaned against the doorframe with a rxed, almostzy posture, his gaze cool and unreadable. “Forgot the passcode?”


    ???


    “I’m not as close to you as Secretary Lynn is,” Elissa shot back without thinking.


    Rowan arched an eyebrow. Suddenly, he leaned forward, wrapped a long arm around her waist, and pulled her inside, shutting the door behind them with a smooth motion.


    He pinned her gently but firmly against the door, his hand tightening around her waist, effortlessly lifting her a little. His voice was low and rough, almost intimate. “So, you were upsetst night because Lorraine has my apartment code?”


    Elissa felt her cheeks flush. He’d seen right through her.


    With her toes barely touching the ground, she found herself pressed close to him, hershes lowering to avoid his direct, intense gaze. “I–I just think… we’re not that close.”


    “We’ve lived under the same roof for nine years. You still think we’re not close?” Rowan bent closer, their breaths mingling in the thick, charged air between them. “Tell me, Elissa. What counts as close, then?”


    At that, Elissa looked up, and their eyes met–his so dark and intense, the distance between them almost nonexistent. His warm breath caressed her cheek, and she


    was enveloped in his familiar, woodsy scent.


    She opened her mouth to reply, but before she could speak, he closed the distance and imed her lips with his own. Her whole body went rigid, eyes wide with shock.


    She forgot to breathe, just staring at the man in front of her–his deep, searching gaze, his impossibly longshes.


    Her heartbeat thundered in her ears, so loud she couldn’t tell if it was hers or his.


    Itsted only a few seconds before Rowan drew back, his nose brushing against hers, his voice husky. “Now, does that count as close?”


    Elissa’s mind was aplete nk. Hershes fluttered. “I… I guess it does…”


    “Guess it does‘?” Rowan’s lips curled into a knowing smile, and before she could react, he pulled her into another kiss–this one fierce and all–consuming.


    There was nothing gentle or practiced about it. He kissed her like a man who’d been waiting far too long, one hand holding her up, the other cradling the back of her head, leaving her nowhere to escape.


    The sensation was utterly foreign to Elissa–she felt like prey caught in his arms,pletely at his mercy.


    Her breathing grew ragged, her body melting beneath his touch.


    11:36


    Ding–dong-


    The doorbell exploded through the haze, followed by the muffled voices of Frank and the others carrying in from the hallway.


    They’de to help Rowan celebrate his new ce, but here she was–inside his apartment!


    A jolt ran through her, and her already unsteady legs threatened to give way.


    <b>Chapter </b><b>179 </b>