Total pages in book: 75
Estimated words: 78521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78521 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Skye has probably posted. It’s her job now.
I want to know what she’s up to, but…
I resist.
Whatever she’s posting, it’s most likely upbeat and cheerful, and though I don’t want her to be unhappy, I’m not in the mood for one of her joyful sponsored posts—not when I’m feeling far from joyful myself.
Skye will be here in half an hour or so. I walk into the kitchen. It’s gleaming and spotless. I’m not sure how Marilyn keeps it so tidy when she’s been working in here all day.
“Hi, Marilyn.”
My personal chef smiles. “Just putting the finishing touches on the sashimi for you and Ms. Manning.”
“And the tempura?”
“It’s ordered, and I’ll let you know when it arrives.”
“Perfect,” I say. “Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure. Will you need anything else tonight?”
“No. Once the tempura is here and served, you may leave for the day.”
“Okay.”
I turn and then look over my shoulder. “And Marilyn?”
“Yes?”
“When Skye gets here, stay out of sight.”
“Will do.”
My staff is the best. They never ask questions.
As I leave the kitchen, I loosen my burgundy tie and remove it. I walk into my bedroom and throw it in the dry-cleaning hamper inside my closet. Then I retrieve it and shove it into my pocket. I may need it later. I unbutton the top two buttons of my shirt. May as well be comfortable.
Then I walk back up to Skye’s bedroom.
And I wait.
Chapter Five
“Braden?”
My heart leaps at Skye’s voice through the intercom.
“Christopher? Annika? Marilyn?”
Marilyn is still here, but she won’t respond. Annika is up in her room, and Christopher… I don’t know where he is, but he’s great at the disappearing act. He probably just went down into the lobby.
“Braden?”
She’s in my bedroom now. I hear her sigh and shuffle her feet across the carpet. Then she opens a door—probably my closet.
“What’s going on, Braden?” she queries.
I smile. “Come upstairs,” I say through the intercom.
“Braden? Where are you?”
“Come upstairs,” I say again.
She doesn’t leave the room yet, though. Instead, I hear her flip on all the light switches and scramble around, probably looking in each crack and crevice.
Finally she sighs audibly and leaves the room, closing the door to my bedroom.
She’ll find the rose petals on the stairway soon, and she’ll come to me.
So I wait…and a few minutes later—
She knocks lightly.
“Come in, Skye.”
She opens the door, closing her eyes. I draw in a breath at her loveliness. Even wearing a suede jacket and simple jeans, she’s breathtaking.
“Open your eyes.”
She hesitates and opens her eyes slowly.
Then she gasps.
I stand. “Do you like it?”
“I… I love it, but Braden…”
“It’s yours.”
“Mine? We already have a bedroom, Braden.”
“I have a bedroom, Skye. This is your bedroom.”
“But…I want to sleep with you.”
“You will. You can sleep in my bed with me, or I’ll sleep in your bed with you. But you need your own space, Skye. A closet of your own and a bathroom that’s your own.” I cock my head. “I thought you’d like this. I’ve been working on it for a while.”
“A while? We haven’t known each other very long.”
“I had the room. All I had to do was get it decorated. If you don’t like what I’ve done, redo it. It’s yours.”
“You told me to be ready for anything tonight.”
“I did.”
“What about—” Her stomach finishes the sentence by letting out a growl.
I chuckle. “You’re hungry.”
“Aren’t you?”
“Yes. But not for food.”
She bites her lower lip. “Where are the dogs?”
“Upstairs.”
“We are upstairs.” She looks up. “There’s a skylight.”
“I have a third floor that takes up only part of the space of my first and second floors. That explains the skylight. My employees live up there. Christopher and Annika and a few others. They each have their own bedroom and bath.”
“Marilyn?” she asks.
I shake my head. “Marilyn prefers to commute.”
She lets out a sigh of what I assume is relief. It isn’t lost on me. Marilyn is an attractive woman, and Skye’s jealousy amuses me. The left side of my mouth quirks up.
“I suppose I should feed you,” I say. “I have a lot planned for tonight, and you need your strength. I’ve already ordered takeout. It should be here in a few minutes.”
“Who’s going to answer the door? Christopher just disappeared.”
“My employees know when to make themselves scarce. I pay them very well to disappear when I want them to.”
She shudders. “You said be ready for anything.”
“So I did.”
“I thought you meant…”
“Oh, I did.”
“But the bedroom… The thing above your bed…”
“I already told you about that. I’ve been meaning to get rid of it for a while, so I did.”
She nods.
My phone buzzes, and I take a quick look at it. “Our meal is here and set up in the kitchen. Let’s get you fed.”
She nods.
“Take off your jacket,” I say. “You can hang it in your closet.”
She smiles slyly.
Uh-oh. What the hell does she have on under that jacket?