Total pages in book: 109
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 104471 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 522(@200wpm)___ 418(@250wpm)___ 348(@300wpm)
He scratches his chin. “I don’t want to get your hopes up, so let’s wait until I have something concrete to report.”
Vance is the most pragmatic of our trio. When he initiates a deal, he almost always holds off on sharing anything until the prospective client is close to agreeing to his terms. It’s not the ideal way for us to do business, but I respect his process. I have to since he’s brought some of our biggest deals to date to the firm.
“You’ll let me know when the time is right,” I say what I know will be the next words out of his mouth.
“As I always do.” He shoves both hands in the front pockets of his pants. “What are you doing here? I thought you’d be at home recovering after your bachelor beach party.”
I should be at home recovering but not from the party. The sex left me exhausted, and yet, I want more as soon as possible.
“I’m heading back home soon,” I say.
I had Basil pick me up from the drop-off location of the SUV. He took me home, but within the hour, I was too restless to sit still, so I made my way here in a rideshare since I had already told Basil to take the rest of the night for himself.
“I had Natalia check Randall’s gift registry because I wanted to be sure the firm gave him a wedding gift to remember.” He chuckles. “Were you ever going to mention that he’s marrying Charlotte Rushing, the heir to Emmel’s?”
I planned on making that big reveal once I had a clearer understanding of whether Randall’s fiancée is open to the idea of selling her family’s legacy to us.
“My sources have told me she’s thinking of selling, Reid.”
Since everyone’s sources already know that, I nod. “I’ve heard, but I haven’t approached her yet.”
“Because of the wedding?” he asks, perking both brows. “Or because you sense that her desire to sell is baseless chatter?”
Mildly surprised that he’s pushing this as hard as he is, I easily shut down the conversation, “I’ll talk to her about it when the time is right. Randall trusts us. I believe he’ll trust us again with Azelius, so it stands to reason that he’ll see the value in recommending us to his soon-to-be-wife if she’s serious about unloading Emmel’s.”
“You seem damn sure of yourself, Reid.”
“I am.” I give the calendar on my laptop screen one final glance before I shut the cover. “I’m too damn tired to care about what I’ve got scheduled for tomorrow. Do you want to grab something to eat?”
“I could go for a burger,” he says. “My treat.”
I’ve never been one to turn down free food, so I round my desk. “A burger and a beer, and then I’m calling it a night.”
He casts a gaze down at the watch on his wrist. “It’s not even five. This trip wore you out.”
He has no fucking idea. It’s not just my muscles that are tender and aching. I’m experiencing emotions I’ve never felt before. I have no idea how to handle any of that. I need to turn off the world and think.
My phone starts ringing, so I glance to where I set it on my desk, hoping that Evangeline’s name is dancing on the screen.
It’s not her.
Vance cranes his neck to get a better look at it. “It’s Kevin.”
“I can read,” I snap. “He can wait.”
“Someone is hangry as hell.” He laughs. “Let’s get you fed and tucked in so you won’t be as grumpy when you come to work tomorrow.”
“Fuck you.” I join in with a chuckle. “That remark is going to cost you. I’m pairing the burger with a good glass of scotch.”
He turns and exits my office. “No surprise there, Reid. No surprise there.”
CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE
Evie
I step off the elevator and take a long, deep breath. This is it. This will be my first day working alongside my lover. I’ve never mixed business and pleasure in the past, but that’s not surprising. The opportunity to do so has never presented itself. Beyond that, I’ve always been fearful that fooling around with someone I have close business ties to would result in me losing something, be it my job or my dignity.
After what I shared with Reid in East Hampton, I’m confident I can fulfill my commitment to Vidori until my contract expires. I also feel certain that I’ll remain proud of the work I’m doing. When we’re in this building, I’m first and foremost, Mr. Hunt’s assistant. Outside of it, all bets are off.
I round the corner and see Reid sitting in my chair with his gaze stuck on his phone screen.
A slow smile creeps over my lips when I realize there are a dozen perfect pink roses in a tall glass vase in the center of my desk. Next to that is a cup of coffee from the café that Reid prefers. It’s the one that overcharges to the point that it should be criminal.