Bad Boy vs Millionaire by Candy J Starr Page B

only thing moving was a garbage truck I could hear rumbling in the distance and a couple of eager suits rushing to their offices in the dawn light.
    I liked that feeling, as though I was the only person alive, even though it was probably only about half an hour until the morning rush started.
    Most of the cafes hadn't opened yet. I wandered to the end of the street, grumbling at their darkened windows until I saw a guy in black setting up tables.
    “ You open?”
    The guy nodded.
    “ Awesome.”
    The warmth of early morning baking engulfed me as I walked in. I needed more than coffee. I needed delicious bakery treats. I picked up a muffin to have with my coffee and some emergency back-up cookies for later. I'd definitely add this place to my list of regulars.
    I headed home, pleased with my morning outing.
    As I got out of the elevator in my building, I heard a whining noise. It had to be Vicious. I'd totally forgotten about Vicious but that's what I needed right now. A warm, cuddly puppy to comfort me.
    “ Hannah!” Tamaki opened his door. “I heard someone out here and I hoped it was you. Can you help me with Vicious? He's been crying all night. I can't get him to settle down.”
    Vicious ran out the door, between Tamaki's legs and I handed Tamaki my coffee before scooping the puppy up in my arms.  His apartment must be really soundproof because I hadn’t heard a thing.
    “ Poor little thing. It must be hard for him. He had those bullies being mean to him and now he's home with strange people.”
    “ I tried everything, even singing to him and nothing has settled him.”
    I remembered Tamaki's singing from the karaoke and wondered if it'd just made Vicious worse.
    “ He seems to be settling down for me.” Vicious curled up against me as I patted his fur. The cold tip of his nose pressed against my neck.
    “ You must smell good.” Tamaki smiled. “He has been howling most of the night.”
    I shrugged. More likely he could smell the bakery treats on me.
    “ I've heard puppies like to have a ticking clock near them when they sleep. Don't you have one on your bedside table? There's one in my room.”
    “ I don't have one.”
    Tamaki followed me in and I gave him the clock. Good riddance to that noisy thing. Then I curled up on the couch and ate my muffin while Vicious sat on my lap trying to catch the crumbs I dropped.
    “ Don't you have to get ready for work?” I asked Tamaki.
    “ It's okay, I've just got some meetings this afternoon. I'm more worried about Vicious at the moment.”
    Tamaki smiled. He'd really grown attached to this little fellow.
    “ You love dogs, don't you? You must've had a house full of them growing up.”
    Tamaki shook his head. “My father hates dogs. I always wanted one but it was impossible.”
    He bit his bottom lip and looked away. I figured there was more to this than Tamaki said but, before I could ask him more, someone pounded on the door. Then Vicious jumped up, barking like crazy. I'd not even officially moved in yet and I kept getting visitors. Maybe it was someone complaining about the dog noise. It couldn't even be Angie since she didn't know I'd come back there last night.
    “ Do you want me to get it?” asked Tamaki as I tried to shush Vicious.
    “ That's okay,” I replied and handed the puppy to him then walked to the door.
    “ God, you are hard to find. I had to pester Angie to get your address. Bloody hell, Hannah. What happened last night? When I saw the empty bed and your stuff gone, I panicked.”
    “ Jack. Do you have any idea…”
    Jack wrapped his arms around me, smothering me with his body. Inside me, the emotions whirled. Maybe I should’ve stayed with him the night before and ignored my own fears. Maybe he’d needed me.
    There was something different about the way he held me, like a smidgeon of vulnerability had seeped out through the cracks in his tough guy façade. I had to let him hold me and show that I wasn’t scared, that I hadn’t been