Total pages in book: 77
Estimated words: 76959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76959 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 385(@200wpm)___ 308(@250wpm)___ 257(@300wpm)
When we round the corner, and my gaze settles on the white cabinetry, large island, and flawless granite countertops, I almost salivate.
This is gorgeous with a capital G.
“Trina,” Graham huffs out my name. “This is fucked up.”
I tear my gaze away from the custom range hood to look at him. “It’s very fucked up.”
He almost smiles. “You need to stay here for the duration of Lloyd’s trip.”
“Why can’t I sneak out at night and come back in the morning?” I ask, thinking that it’s a solid plan.
My boss studies me. “You’ll be comfortable here.”
That’s a non-answer to my very serious question, so I rephrase. “I’ll go home after Lloyd goes to bed, and it won’t take me long to get back here in the mornings. I’ll have breakfast ready and waiting by the time he wakes up every day.”
“There are too many variables for that to be a viable option.”
That’s a wordy way of shooting my idea down, so I press forward. “What variables?”
Graham leans his hip against the kitchen island. “You could oversleep. He could wake up early. What happens if he becomes ill during the night and I have to call 9-1-1? You don’t think he’d wonder why you’re not around?”
My eyes widen. “Is that a possibility? Is there a chance that he may need to be hospitalized during this trip?”
“Anything is possible.”
I shake my head. “I’m not sleeping in the same room as you.”
“God, no.” He chuckles. “You’ll take my bedroom. I’ll stay in the adjoining room with the door between closed unless there is an emergency.”
“There’s a bedroom that hooks up with your bedroom?” I ask in disbelief.
His eyes search my face. “It’s the smallest bedroom. I sense it was designed to be a nursery.”
“Oh,” I say, caught off guard. “I suppose that could work.”
“It will work,” he counters matter-of-factly. “I’ll send someone to gather your belongings if that’s easier for you.”
I grew up with twelve siblings. I don’t need anyone touching my stuff. That’s one of the reasons I live alone now.
“I’ll go home and pack a suitcase.”
“All right.” His arms cross his chest. “Let’s discuss dinner.”
I glance around the kitchen again. “I have a lot to work with here. This is impressive, Mr. Locke.”
“Graham,” he stresses. “It’s a showpiece, Trina. Other than a coffee machine and a few mismatched glasses, dishes, and utensils, it’s barren.”
To prove the point, he opens an upper cabinet door to show me that it’s empty. He yanks on a drawer pull too, and I spot nothing inside.
“I’ll need a list of everything you require to cook a meal for Lloyd.”
As overwhelming as that sounds, I nod. “My sister, Ida, works at a kitchen supply store. I can call her and ask her to send over everything I need.”
He shoots me a look. “Does your sister know that we’re married?”
I fist my hands together. “No, and I want to keep it that way. I’ll tell her that you just moved in and are looking for all the essentials.”
“That works for me.”
“What about food?” I ask with a wince. “What do you have to work with?”
“Coffee and sugar.”
“And?”
“Bottled water and wine,” he adds. “I don’t cook, Trina. I eat out. I always eat out.”
Eat out.
The sound of those two words falling from his lips sends a charge through me even though he’s clearly talking about take-out and not taking me to his bed.
It’s just my luck that I’m married to the sexiest man I’ve ever met, and we’ll never touch each other.
“If you make a list of everything you need, I’ll have it all delivered.”
I sigh. “I’ll get started on that. I can email it to you when I’m done.”
“And you’ll head to your home now to pack?” he asks quietly. “If you need help, I can arrange for someone to stop by.”
I don’t bother asking who since I can handle it on my own. “I’ll be fine.”
“I’m going to work from home for the remainder of the day.” He loosens his tie. “I’ll be in my study. Please stop in when you get back.”
“All right,” I say, even though I have no clue which hallway maze would take me to the study.
“I’ll see you out.” His hand disappears into the inner pocket of his suit jacket. He yanks out the keycard he used earlier. “Use this when you get back.”
I take it from him. “Thank you, sir.”
“Graham,” he reminds me with a smirk on his lips. “Your husband, remember?”
How the hell could I forget?
Chapter Ten
Trina
I sit on the edge of my bed and finish off the list of groceries for Graham. I read the email again to make sure I haven’t missed anything and then finally press send.
I compiled the list while I was talking to my sister, Ida, on speakerphone. She had a few questions about why my boss needs an entire kitchen stocked with pots, pans, and every bell and whistle imaginable.