A subtle, knowing smile yed on Juniper''s lips. "He''s actually not a bad guy," she said deliberately.


    Of course her brother wasn''t bad. She just hoped Melvin never heard this conversation, or Shanley... well, she could only pray for him.


    Shanley, feigning sleep, almost broke character at her words. Damn it. She''d only known Melvin for a few days, and she was alreadyplimenting him. What''s so good about him?


    The rest of the drive passed in silence, punctuated only by Shanley''s soft, intimate whispers of her name. Juniper''s mind, however, was buzzing with Flint''s words: He


    likes you.


    Finally, the sports car pulled to a stop in front of Cloudscape Community.


    "Boss, let me help you." Flint parked the car, but as he opened the door to help Shanley out, he was met with a re that was sharp with warning.


    "Uh..." Flint immediately retracted his hand and turned to Juniper. "Ms. Payne, I have to run an urgent errand for Mr. Schwartz. It can''t wait,” he said calmly. "Could you please help him upstairs?"


    Without waiting for a reply, Flint jumped back in the car and sped away.


    Juniper was left with no choice but to wrap an arm around Shanley to support him.


    "Juniper..." Shanley kept most of his weight off her, his voice a seductive, husky whisper.


    "Don''t look at me." Her cheeks flushed, and she poked his head away. His eyes were dangerously deep, as if they could pull her soul right in. He was like a siren, luring her in.


    The elevator doors opened, and she managed to drag him to the apartment, knocking on the door.


    "Oh my, what happened to Mr. Schwartz?" Dana gasped, shocked to see Shanley in such a state.


    “He''s drunk,” Juniper exined, her arm still around his waist.


    "Drunk?" Dana tilted her head, studying Shanley carefully.


    "Who in the world could outdrink him?" she muttered. The man was known to be able to drink anyone under the table. His tolerance was legendary.


    "Dana, could you open the bedroom door?"


    "Of course." Hearing Juniper, Dana stopped wondering and hurried to open the door.


    "Careful." Juniper guided Shanley unsteadily toward therge bed. But as he fell onto the mattress, he pulled her down with him, his long arms around her, trapping her in his embrace.


    Juniper struggled for a moment but found she couldn''t break free. If it had been anyone else, she would have snapped their limbs by now. But this was Shanley... so she relented.


    Dana, seeing their position, quickly turned away.


    "Ms. Payne, you take care of Mr. Schwartz. I''ll go make some soup to help with the hangover," she announced, hastily closing the door behind her.


    The room fell silent. Cradled in his arms, Juniper listened to the strong, steady beat


    of his heart, and the chaotic feelings inside her began to settle.


    "Juniper," Shanley whispered, his eyes partially open, his handsome face softened by an adoring smile. "Don''t go looking for other guys. They hurt you. Only I will be good to you."


    "Oh?" The word caught her attention. Juniper smirked, her gaze fixed on his face.


    "How good? Good enough to give me all your money?"


    "Yes," Shanley answered without hesitation. "My money is yours, and so am I. For the rest of my life, you''re the only girl I''ll ever be good to."


    Juniper''s heart skipped a beat, but then her mind cleared. He was answering far too coherently.


    "Shanley," Juniper purred, leaning in so close their noses almost touched. "You''re faking it, aren''t you?"


    Shanley''s act crumbled.