Free Undisclosed Desire: An Alpha Billionaire Romance: + bonus novel by Linnea May

way or the chicken option?"
    I look down at the article again, scanning his beautiful face. He is smiling in the bigger picture, but it's not the same kind of smile I saw on him last night. It is frozen and fake, a publicity smile.
    Whatever his story is, I know I want to hear it. I also know that I have to be careful with him. He caught me off guard like no one has before. It scares and intrigues me.
    "Chicken," I say.
    Yuka smirks at me as I get up from the table to fetch my phone.
     

CHAPTER X
    Nicky
     
     
    "Yes?"
    I hold my breath.
    Yes ? Who says hello like that on the phone? Especially when it's an anonymous number? It could be him, but I am not entirely sure.
    I am sitting at the kitchen table, observed by Yuka's overly curious eyes and ears while she holds her hand above her mouth to quiet herself. My hand tightens around the phone as if I was trying to crush it, pressing it against my ear with excessive force.
    He's still there. I can hear him breathing.
    Say more , my mind begs. I need to be sure.
    A few more moments of awkward silence follow, before he finally adds something.
    "Nicky? Is that you?"
    Fuck !
    I hastily remove the phone from my ear and try to end the call by uncontrollably pushing on the touch screen. These damn touch screens! Nervousness takes over and turns me into a trembling mess as I try to hit the red symbol that would let me escape into the save haven of anonymity. Instead, the phone slips out of my hand and drops down to the floor – with the call still running.
    Yuka yelps and giggles in surprise while I dive after my phone, unable to prevent a bunch of panicky curses to escape my mouth. I finally get a hold of it and manage to end the call.
    "Fuck!" I yell, now sitting on the floor at Yuka's feet.
    Of course, she is having a great time with this. She bursts out laughing, almost falling off her chair as she tries to help me get back up on my feet.
    "Oh my god, Nicky!" she cries. "That was awesome!"
    I actually broke a sweat. My cheeks are flushed and my heart is racing like a mad animal.
    "Damn," I continue my barrage of cursing.
    How old am I again? I am acting like a stupid teenager. And I haven't even behaved like that when I still was in high school.
    "So, I assume that really was him?" Yuka asks, still laughing at my unfortunate behavior.
    I nod. My hands are trembling like an aspen leaf.
    "Yes," I utter. "It was him..."
    Yuka's eyes are glowing with excitement. "What did he say?"
    I look at her, still trying to gather myself.
    "Yes," I reply. "He said 'Yes'. And then he said my name."
    "Oh, damn, Nicky!" Yuka exclaims, unable to contain her excitement. "So he knew it was you?"
    "Maybe," I stammer. "Well, I'm pretty sure he knew after that little stunt... and after you started giggling."
    "Hey," Yuka objects. "Don't blame me, girl. You were the one who went for the chicken option!"
    I know she's right. I sink bank into my chair and let out a desperate sigh.
    "Well, this went great," I mumble.
    "I think it did," Yuka adds, still smiling from ear to ear. "You have to properly talk to him now. Obviously."
    I look at her, raising my eyebrows with doubt. "I guess so..."
    We both flinch when my phone lets out an unexpected beep to inform me of a new message.
    Yuka looks at me, alarmed.
    "Nah, can't be him," I assure her. "I hid my number."
    "You sure?" she asks.
    I nod as I casually look down at my screen. It is only a short message: "Smooth, cool girl."
    My eyes widen. I recognize the number – because I just dialed it.
    "Oh my God, is it him?" Yuka investigates as she notices the look on my face.
    I nod in silence.
    How is this possible? I made sure to hide my number several times. Was I really that clumsy? Or does he have some kind of spy device that makes anonymous numbers obsolete?
    "What does it say?" Yuka presses.
    I glance at her. "He is making fun of me. Just like you."
    She claps her hands and laughs. "Haha, with good reason!"
    "Whatever...", I mumble.
    Another message pops