With half-closed eyes, Max pulled his phone away from his ear and stared at the number on the screen.
Who on earth was calling him this early and why wasn't the person speaking?
He shifted, bracing his weight on one elbow until he sat upright.
The light-purple duvet slipped down his body, revealing his bare upper torso solid muscle, smooth skin, and a chest rising and falling in slow, rhythmic breaths. The kind of sight that could make half the female population scream if he ever showcased it publicly… which he absolutely refused to do.
"Hello?" he said again, voice clearer, running a hand through his disheveled hair.
Silence.
"Since you're not saying anything… bye."
He ended the call.
Letting out a low, frustrated groan, he tossed the phone aside and dragged the duvet over his head. He was determined to return to sleep. Precious, sacred sleep he had finally earned after working all night.
But his phone rang again.
"Grrrrrr…" he growled through clenched teeth.
Same number.
He snatched the device and answered. "Sorry, who is this?"
Silence. Again.
"I'm sorry, but if you call for the third time without talking, I'll blacklist this number. So hello?"
Beep.
This time, the caller hung up.
Max pinched the bridge of his nose. "Please don't call me back," he muttered tiredly, pulling his pillow over his face.
But a few minutes later just as sleep began to hug him again, his phone rang a third time.
He froze.
Then…..
"Oh, God," he groaned. He was at his limit.
He didn't even try to sound polite. Without sitting up, he grabbed the phone and answered, "Whattttt???"
His voice came out hoarse, deep, and sleep-thick, dangerously attractive without him meaning to.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Walker. Did I disturb your sleep?"
Max raised an eyebrow.
This time it wasn't the same number, nor the same silence.
It was a woman's voice. Sweet. Breathless. Slightly sultry without trying.
"Can I help you?" Max asked, checking the caller ID again.
"I want us to meet. It's a surprise, and I'm sure you'll be awed when you see me," the excited voice said.
Max's nose crinkled. "And your name is?"
"Alicia," she replied lightly. "I won't say more than that until we meet."
Max rubbed the back of his neck. "Well… I don't think I know anyone by that name. And I don't exactly have the luxury to book a meeting with someone who calls out of nowhere claiming she'll surprise me."
Alicia only giggles shamelessly, boldly, like someone who had never been told "no" in her life.
"Believe me, Maximilian… you'll be happy you came. And I'd be glad if you brought Emily. That sweetheart."
Max froze for half a second.
His brows raised.
His irritation momentarily quieted.
"I guess I should let myself be awed then, Miss Alicia," he said.
She chuckled dramatically, sounding far too pleased.
Just hearing his voice sent her heart racing. When he'd snapped "what" earlier in that sexy, half-asleep tone, she could practically feel her face burning red.
"Yes, Max… I'll be very busy today, weekend stuff, you know, but I will be free tomorrow. How about you?" Alicia asked cheerfully.
Max pouted unconsciously.
Who was this woman?
First calling him Walker… then Maximilian… now "Max" like they were old friends.
Most importantly, when did his personal number become so accessible to strangers?
Curiosity tugged at him. Maybe the surprise would be interesting. It had been a while since anything genuinely impressed him, yesterday's event excluded.
The moment he thought about the Smith heiress, Max's expression darkened.
He had stayed up late because of her, far later than he should have.
Irritated. Unfocused.
He'd had to exercise intensely just to burn off the annoyance swirling in his chest until the name Smith finally slipped out of his mind.
"Hum… Max? Are you there?" Alicia's voice broke his thoughts.
"Tomorrow will be fine," he replied.
"Great. Oh, and say hi to Emily," she added.
"She'll ask who the greeting is from. And since 'Miss Alicia' decided to remain mysterious, I'll save that part for after we meet," Max said.
Alicia giggled shyly. "Bye, Max."
The call ended.
Max dropped his phone on the bed. "No more calls," he muttered.
He lay back, ready to surrender to sleep again—
Ding-dong.
His doorbell rang.
Max's eyes opened slowly.
"Oh, great," he said flatly.
He threw the duvet aside and got up. The white pajama trousers hung low on his hips, the waistband hugging him in a way that made his already sculpted physique look even more sinful.
When he reached the door, he checked the security camera…
Of course.
Heidi.
Smirking brightly.
Already getting on his nerves.
He opened the door.
"Say something that won't get you buried six feet under in the next few seconds," Max warned.
Heidi's smile widened, eyes instantly scanning and appreciating his abs.
"Let's see…
You're not holding a gun.
Your body looks sexier than usual and could honestly make me straight.
And… 3. I'll exhaust you long before you even manage to kill me, so 'a few seconds' sounds like a bluff. I'm hurt, boss."
She winked.