Chapter 4

Michael

I woke up feeling refreshed, a rare sensation in my hectic life.

My mother often joked that I was twenty-eight going on sixty.

But last night had been different.

Jade was witty and charming, and our connection was undeniable.

I hadn't planned on skipping dessert, but I couldn't resist her.

And now, she'd invaded my dreams.

I smiled, expecting to see her beside me.

Instead, I found an empty bed.

I frowned, scanning the suite.

The silence confirmed my fears.

No note, no explanation.

I cursed myself for not getting her number.

"Damn it!" I muttered.

I'd never been on the receiving end of a disappearing act.

Who did Jade think she was?

I replayed our night, searching for signs of miscommunication.

But Jade had enjoyed it as much as I had.

She'd left a mark, and I hated that.

Why hadn't she said goodbye?

Was that too much to ask?

I thought about our conversation, trying to recall any hints.

But Jade had seemed just as invested.

I grabbed my phone and dialed my assistant.

"Get me the details of the modeling agency from the auction."

Within minutes, I had the number and called Blue Line Modeling Agency.

"You're through to Blue Line Modeling Agency. How can I help you?"

"I need to speak to Amanda Justice about the charity auction."

"Of course, sir, your name?"

"Fletcher."

I figuredthe best route would be to use the name that accompanied the money she had received for the event; that would get her to speak to me. My mother had not reverted to her maiden name after my father's death, and she held a lot of power in her own right. There were rare instances where I used our family name, and it didn't get me results. Sure enough, I was on the phone a minute later with Amanda, and she sounded ready to pander to me.

"Mr.Fletcher? I don't believe we had the pleasure of getting acquainted."

"Well,there's no time like the present, Miss Justice. My mother only has the highest praises for you."

"Thank you.She was a joy to work with as well. How can I help you today, Mr. Fletcher? Would you like to make another booking?"

"Yes,please, but a special request this time. A model by the name Jade."

I could hearthe fast clicks on her keyboard as she typed, and when she took longer than I anticipated, I had to reign in my impatience.

"I'm sorry,Mr. Fletcher. Did you say,Jade?"

"Yes, Jade."

"I'mafraid we don't have a model by that name on yesterday's roster."

"A second name perhaps?"

I heardher typing again and waited, hoping for positive feedback this time around.

"I'm sorry,Mr. Fletcher, we do not have a Jade anywhere in our database. Perhaps you can tell us what you are looking for, and we can send some portfolios for you to look at?"

I couldn't believewhat I was hearing and how convenient she had never told me her last name. Neither had I; we had both been busy enjoying flirting without actually exchanging any information. Not that I ever did that, but I knew most women I went out with since we moved in similar circles. Jade had been a first for me, and I felt like I was treading on new ground, and no one bothered to tell me the rules. Jade had teased me about not being ordinary, and she had been completely right. I didn't find myself in these situations, ever.

I rana hand through my hair and sighed. "Thank you for your help, Miss Justice. I'll get back to you."

I threwmy phone on the bed before pacing the room. Had Jade lied to me? Had she sat there, smiled, and pretended to be all sweet and perfect while lying to me? She had run out while knowing that I wouldn't be able to find her. Some of me didn't want to believe it, but the evidence was right in front of me. I could try and deny it all I wanted, but the truth was that Jade, or whatever her name was, was a little fucking liar. And a very good one at that.

My phone rang,and I had to take the call despite the storm raging inside me. It was my assistant. Judging by the time, I knew exactly why she was calling.

"Yes?"

"The driver is waitingfor you downstairs, and checkout is in thirty minutes. I trust you are getting ready?"

As much asI wanted to tear Savannah down until I found Jade, I had important business to attend to back home. This had been a strict two-day business trip, and even though it had ended in pleasure, I could not extend it. My days were always utilized efficiently, and my time was worth a lot of money to many people. My time here was up, and Jade had me in a checkmate position.

Bravo,Jade, I thought.Not many people managed to beat me. It seemed I wasn't meant to be a superhero, after all. The redhead could take care of herself just fine.

"Michael?"

I blinkedand realized I had gotten distracted while my assistant spoke to me—another reason I needed to leave and get my head back in the game.

"I'll beready in twenty. Send me everything I need to go through before my meeting this afternoon. And get me a bottle of that wine we sent my grandfather for Christmas."

"Of course."

I lookedat the unmade bed I had spent all night holding Jade in my arms. Me, cuddling! I had never thought I'd see the day.

"Actually, make that two bottles."

The first bottlewas for Jade. I needed a few glasses to try and get that smile out of my head and a few more to forget her green eyes and how they darkened when I slid into her. I wouldn't forget the sound of her voice as she screamed my name until I saw the bottom of a bottle. The second bottle was all for me; a punishment for letting a short redhead get under my skin.

It would probably take morethan two bottles of expensive wine to forget Jade, but it wasn't going to stop me from trying.