Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47165 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 189(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“We can head home if you want,” I suggest, but now she looks confused.
“I don’t mean it in a bad way, Steve. I appreciate everything. I really do…,” she starts to say, but I silence her with a kiss.
“I’d be as happy as I am right now if we had nothing but the clothes on our backs,” I tell her honestly, holding her face in my hand.
“And I don’t want you to appreciate anything. I want you to have what you deserve and a thousand times that because you’re worth it. Because I….”
The sound of a car honking behind us stops me mid-sentence.
Ruining a moment, I decide will have to wait until later.
But the thought’s there. I couldn’t deny it even if I tried now.
I’m in love with Holly Winters, and whether she appreciates it or not, I’ll shower her with gifts and anything else I can think of because that’s what my Queen deserves.
I can show her how I feel by buying her the finer things.
What she really means to me is something I’ll be showing her in private. Every chance I get.
I pull out into traffic, eager to get her home now, but she reminds me about the office thing. All the other stuff I’ve set up for today.
“Are you up to it?” I ask, taking her hand in mine as I drive.
“I didn’t mean… I mean… Ah, shit,” she murmurs, finally making me chuckle quietly.
“It’s okay, Holly,” I assure her. “We’re a team, remember? And if I’m too much or not enough of anything, just let me know,” I tell her.
“I know I can be a little… pushy when I want what I want,” I admit, making her smile.
In this case, I’m trying to make her happy and show her how happy she makes me.
Holly squeezes my hand and leans over to peck my cheek, and we drive in silence for the rest of the way to the office.
If the rooftop apartment was a lot for her to take in, my office building as we pull into the underground car park with several spaces reserved for yours truly, has her making that face again.
“We don’t have to stay long,” I promise her. “I just need to put my signature on a couple of things,” I tell her with a little smile.
Hoping Madison and the rest of the team have managed to do everything I’ve asked for. But it’s what they do.
It’s why I hired them.
“I could just wait here,” Holly says shyly. But we both know I’m not letting her out of my sight. Not even for a minute.
“You might be interested in a few things,” I tease her, moving quickly around to her side of the car to help her out.
In the elevator, on the way up, I can feel her sidelong glances looking up at me like she senses something’s up.
She gasps once the elevator opens.
Unlike my apartment, the office on my floor is a little bit over the top when it comes to design and décor that screams money.
It’s just better for business.
I can tell she wants to explore. Take in the view and ask me a million questions. Her hesitation about the whole shopping thing seems to have been replaced with a genuine interest in my office, which is a relief but not why we’re here.
I murmur something about showing her around later. But right now, I just want to get some ink dried on some very important papers.
Important to me anyhow.
With her hand still in mine, I lead us to where I know everyone will be waiting – the main conference room.
I can feel Holly tense up before we go in, and I pause to remind her that, like home, this place is hers now too. She’s got nothing to feel shy or awkward about.
Opening the doors, I spot Madison first and a familiar legal team second.
They all stand and ask me if I’m feeling better and how good it is to see me in one piece.
Nobody but Madison gives Holly a second glance, which I fix.
“At ease, everyone,” I announce, pulling Holly closer to me.
“This is Holly Winters, who you’ll all be seeing a lot more of whenever I’m around, so I’d appreciate the same level of respect you all afford me to her as much as myself. Starting now,” I tell them all.
There’s a stunned silence, but eventually, everyone comes over and introduces themselves, shaking Holly’s hand and trying hard to look like they mean it.
Madison’s stifling a grin, but only because I know how happy he is for me.
He’s goaded me for years to find someone. “… Anyone… and just settle down.”
But Holly’s not just anyone, and it’s as clear to my assistant as it is to me just how I feel about her.
How I’ll always feel about her.
“Alright, that’s enough ass-kissing,” I clip, reminding them all we’re here for a reason.