I rolled my eyes, a reluctant smile tugging at my lips despite the tension.

“Just admiring the view of a man who owns a satin sheet factory,” I retorted, turning finally to escape to the bathroom. “Try not to buy it while I'm gone.”

His rich laughter followed me down the hall, a sound that was both a comfort and a weird warning.

“I hope that thought makes you think twice about pissing on them,” he grumbled, the low rumble of his voice laced with a mix of mock sternness and dark amusement.

I ignored his grumbled remark and slipped into the bathroom, closing the door with a soft but...