Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 67644 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67644 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 338(@200wpm)___ 271(@250wpm)___ 225(@300wpm)
He straightened in his chair, his smile turned more professional, and he seemed more...alert somehow. “I’m sorry, but I don’t remember helping you during your stay.”
“Don’t worry,” I rushed to reassure him. “No matter how good you are with faces; you couldn’t possibly remember me because I wasn’t the one who asked for the tickets. My date did.”
His gaze drifted over my shoulder as he echoed, “Your date?”
“Yes, it seemed like you and Drew knew each other fairly well, so I was hoping you could help me find him.”
“You won’t have to look very far.” He pointed behind me. “Mr. Lennox is headed this way right now.”
“Mr. Lennox? Can he help me find Drew?” I guessed that made sense if Drew worked for the hotel. The owner would have access to information on all their employees.
The concierge’s eyes widened. “No, Drew is Mr. Lennox.”
“Shit!” a familiar, masculine voice growled before I felt a strong hand on my shoulder, turning me around. “Autumn? Are you okay? You’re supposed to be in the Congo for another ten months.”
His crystal blue eyes filled with concern as they searched my face for any sign that I wasn’t okay. I was so relieved to have him standing in front of me that it took a moment for my brain to catch up with what the concierge had just said.
“You’re Andrew Lennox?” I shook off his hand and waved mine in the air. “Owner of the entire hotel and casino?”
He glared at the concierge, clearly pissed off that he’d let that piece of information slip. “We’re not having this discussion here where everyone can listen in.”
He clasped my hand and I let him guide me over to the elevator and waited until we were inside and the doors slid closed in front of us. When he slid his key card into the slot and pressed the button for the penthouse level, I cocked an eyebrow at him. “So it wasn’t a coincidence that my reservation was lost and I was given a suite on the top floor?”
When he heaved a deep sigh and ran his fingers through his dirty-blond hair, I knew I was right. I was stunned, but at least I could take a little comfort in the fact that we were both going to shock each other today...although my surprise was going to wait until he explained everything he’d kept from me during our time together.
9
Drew
It had shocked the shit out of me when I’d glanced at the security feeds on my office wall and spotted Autumn at the concierge desk. Even after not seeing her for two months, I’d instantly known it was her.
Something had to be very wrong for her to be in my hotel when she was supposed to be in the Congo. Fear had constricted my chest as worst-case scenarios flashed through my mind. She’d looked even more gorgeous than I remembered, but she’d also looked exhausted.
I’d walked from my office to the lobby with single-minded focus, ignoring anyone and everything along the way. Her health was my main concern, but I’d also wanted to reach her before someone let it slip who I really was. When I got to her, she looked dead on her feet, but her beauty still stole my breath. Concern overpowered my desire though and my eyes swept over her, looking for signs of injury.
Then she’d asked me if I was Andrew Lennox, and I’d wanted to ring Juan’s fucking neck. This wasn’t how I’d wanted her to find out. I’d expected to go to her when she returned and explain everything.
The lobby certainly wasn’t the place to have this discussion, so I hurried her onto an elevator and headed for my penthouse suite.
Autumn’s eyes were narrowed on me, a mixture of anger and suspicion swirling in the dark orbs. I sighed and ran my fingers through my hair. I didn’t even know how to start this conversation.
“No, it wasn’t a coincidence.” I brushed a few pieces of her wild curls back from her face and was relieved when she didn’t flinch or pull away. “When I saw you in the lobby that first time, I was immediately captivated. I had to know you. So, I orchestrated the whole thing to make sure that we met.”
Autumn’s face softened for a second before hardening again and glaring up at me. “While I find that surprisingly sweet, rather than ‘creepy-stalkerish’ as you put it, it doesn’t explain why you lied to me about who you are.”
I scratched my beard as I tried to think how best to explain. “Sunshine…” I started, only to be interrupted.
“Don’t ‘sunshine’ me right now, Andrew Lennox,” she snapped.
I knew it was the wrong time to be amused, but she was just so fucking cute. So full of fire. I ran a hand over my face to hide my smile.