Total pages in book: 107
Estimated words: 98418 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98418 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 492(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
I turn to Theo. “Really?” He looks at me and frowns. “These are the type of people you have running multi-million pound companies?”
He smiles. “No.” That’s it, just no.
“What?” He is so odd sometimes.
“It’s been a pleasure guys but we have to go. Steve I’ll call you on Monday.” Steve looks as white as a sheet. Theo pulls me to my feet. I glare at Steve as I leave.
Theo tucks my hand under his arm as we walk to the waiting car. The temperature has dropped outside. I shiver as he holds my door for me.
"Here." He takes off his jacket and places it over me like a blanket.
"Thanks." I say grateful for its warmth. It smells of him, cologne and masculinity.
He climbs behind the wheel and turns to face me. “Well done sugar.”
“What? What are you on about?” I ask.
“You did exactly what I thought you would.”
“What, call your staff out on their sexist shit.” I frown.
“No, confirm my suspicions. There have been some informal insinuations of sexual harassment against Hillford. I won’t have that in my company, but I needed confirmation as no formal complaints were made.” He chuckles. “So I brought the most beautiful woman that twat will ever see to dinner and waited for him to make a comment. Like I said, I only have the best running my companies, I have to fish out the rubbish.”
“Gee, thanks. Nice to know I’m good pervert bait.” I grumble.
He grabs my chin and presses a kiss on my lips. “The very best.” He says with a smile.
"Lilly." Theo's voice breaks through my deep unconsciousness.
I pull back my eyelids squinting against the bright light.
"We're home. Come on." He places a firm arm around my waist and helps me from the car. I lean against the side of the car feeling totally disorientated, when did I fall asleep? Theo sighs.
"Dear god woman, a couple of glasses of wine and you're like the walking dead." With that he suddenly scoops me off my feet so that I’m cradled against his chest. I want to tell him to put me down and I am perfectly capable of walking, but his chest is so inviting, radiating red hot heat and that wonderful fragrance he has. I snuggle closer to him and instantly fall back into unconsciousness.
I awake at three in the morning with a mouth like the Sahara. The bed is cold and Theo is nowhere to be seen. I climb out of bed and walk into the hallway, I realise that I’m wearing one of his t-shirts, but I don't remember putting it on. There is a soft glow filling the hall which seems to be coming from upstairs. I groggily climb the stairs. As I reach the top it becomes apparent that the light is coming from behind me, from Theo's desk. He sits at the desk staring at the computer screen. He's still dressed in the same suit he wore to dinner.
He smiles when I step into the light. "Hey sugar." His face is drawn and there are dark circles under his eyes.
I round the desk and perch in front of him sitting on the edge. I pick up his bottle of water from the desk and take a huge gulp, quenching my burning throat. He watches me as I place it back on the desk before wrapping his arms around me, pushing his hands under my t-shirt to caress the bare skin of my back. I place my hands on either side of his face and stare into his bloodshot eyes.
"You haven't been to bed. Why are you still up?" I whisper.
"I'm sorry. There's been some hassle in Italy. I've been trying to sort it, but I think I’m going to have to go out there." He drags his hand through his hair.
"How long for?" I ask.
"No longer than a week hopefully." He smiles at me.
"Okay." I whisper.
"I'm going to talk to Simmons, convince him that I need my UK solicitors on board. I want you to come with me."
I roll my eyes at him. "You don't have to do that. I'll be fine. I was just fine before you came along Theo." I smile at him.
"You might be fine, but I won't be. Besides I could genuinely use you. There are a lot of legal issues at the moment." He frowns.
"Bullshit, anyone could sort that out." I shake my head. "Look, now that we're 'together', I think it would be best if we keep personal and professional separate. I don't want my career to be affected by you.” I lightly brush my fingers across the stubble of his jaw. "I will miss you though." I wink at him.
He smiles. “Check you with the mushy declarations.”
“Don’t get used to it.” I grumble.
He laughs. “Look...we had a deal. Two weeks, and you would live with me to witness it, so you're coming. I made a promise and I will see it through. I'm doing this to prove to you beyond a shadow of a doubt how much you mean to me, even if it kills me, which it may do." He smiles wryly.