His Secret Muse: An Alpha Billionaire Romance by Linnea May Read Free Book Online

sharing the daily experiences of college life, we still managed to keep our routine of regular runs. We would usually make it a night run since both of us are night owls, but she has plans tonight.
    I don't.
    My only plan is to rest. Maybe binge watch a few shows while enjoying my after workout treat.
    And to call him. Finally.
    I poured myself a glass of wine to help myself find the courage. And then another one, when I felt that the first one didn't do the trick.
    Due to still being dehydrated from my run, I already feel tipsy half way through the second glass. But I don't feel exactly brave. Especially when a  realization hits me: It is 7pm on a Friday night. The number he gave me might be his business number. Who would want to be called at this time? And who would pick up?
    If this is some kind of office number, I probably won't get an answer anyways.
    So, I might as well try. At least then I could tell myself that I tried.
    I take a deep breath and mentally prepare to dial.
    What if it is his private number, though ?
    He might answer, then. And he might be bothered. Then again, if that was the case, he never would have given me this number in the first place.
    "Oh, for god's sake!" I urge myself.
    I am acting like a silly teenager. I don't like it.
    I finish my second glass of wine and finally get myself to dial his number.
    It rings once, twice. After the third one, I am beginning to think that it really is an office number, and no one will pick up.
    But then someone answers.
    "Hello?"
    It's a female voice, and that is all she says.
    I am too dumbfounded to find a reply and just breathe for air. Maybe I dialed the wrong number?
    "Hello?" the woman repeats.
    "Errr... hello, I am trying to reach Mr. Crow?" I finally articulate.
    "May I ask who is speaking and what this is about?" she asks.
    So, it is the right number.
    Just when I am about to give her my name and the reason for my call, I remember what he asked me to do.
    What he ordered me to do.
    Tell no one. Be creative .
    I gulp. My brain is working at the speed of light, trying to come up with a good lie. Something that is far enough from the truth, but will still get me through to him.
    Something that might tell him that it is me without actually having to say so.
    "My name is Mrs. Hawkings," I begin. "I am a puppeteer, and Mr. Crow approached me, saying that he wants to learn more about my craft. Research for his new book, he said. He asked me to contact him at this number."
    What?!
    What kind of crazy story was that? Who on earth would believe such nonsense?
    Apparently, she does.
    "Did you talk with him last week at his show?" she asks after a few moments of hesitation, showing no sign of suspicion.
    "Yes," I say. "Exactly."
    She pauses for a moment.
    What was I thinking? A puppeteer? He said to be creative, not kooky.
    Her last question didn't sound like she was surprised at all, though. Whoever she was.
    "Hold on for a moment," the woman finally says, still sounding all professional.
    Before I can say anything else, I am put on hold.
    My heart races again. I curse myself for coming up with such a ridiculous story. There were so many other options. Journalist, for example. Why did I not say that? Asking for an interview, maybe. Or something that is somehow related to public relations. Wouldn’t he get calls like this all the time?
    But not on a Friday night.
    I am beginning to regret my decision to call him tonight. I am starting to feel dizzy, too. That damn wine. Why did I have to drink two glasses so fast? Right after jogging. I should have known how bad of an idea that was.
    “A puppeteer, huh?” his voice pulls me out of my reflections.
    “Cedric! Hi! It’s Renee,” I hurry to reply.
    “I know it’s you,” he says. “I knew from the moment I heard that a puppeteer wanted to talk to me. Very creative, young lady. Albeit, a bit out there.”
    I sigh. “It was the first thing that popped up.”
    “Don’t worry, you did good.”
    Did I now? Truth