Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 113584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 568(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 113584 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 568(@200wpm)___ 454(@250wpm)___ 379(@300wpm)
“That kinda day?”
I look up and find Sue at the doorway.
“Family politics.”
“Nice flowers.” She closes the door but stays there, holding on to the handle. I smile my thanks, not bothering to explain who they’re from. “Leo just called me.”
I tilt my head. “Mr. Lombardy?”
“Yes.” She smiles. “Mr. Lombardy. He said you’re a breath of fresh air. Obviously, I agree.”
“Well, thanks.” Does this mean he’s bringing his business my way? “I appreciate that.”
“He also mentioned that he said we met on the golf course.”
I press my lips together. “He did? I don’t recall.”
Sue nods mildly, obviously seeing through the dummy persona I’m feigning. I’m smart. She knows it. “He got mixed up. It was an anniversary party.”
Because you play golf with your husband. “Men,” I huff, rolling my eyes, and Sue laughs, loud and over the top. She came here to get her story straight?
“Anyway, he’ll be in touch about getting the paperwork drafted.”
“Oh, that’s great.”
“Look after him, okay?”
My nose scrunches, as I think about all the ways Sue looks after Leo and Leo looks after Sue. “Of course.”
She closes the door behind her, and I sink deeper into my chair on an exhale. So much was said in that conversation without being said. I need caffeine.
I get up to grab my fourth coffee of the morning already, opening a message from Jude as I go. It’s a picture. I smile at the empty side of his bed.
Not a fan.
I call him, needing a pick-me-up. His voice will help. It’s been a long day already and it’s not even ten. This isn’t sustainable if my brain is going to keep functioning.
His gruff voice answers, and I shake off the shivers. “You’re still in bed, aren’t you?”
“Do you want me to lie?” he asks.
“Yes.”
“I’ve been up since six, worked out, ate, showered, read a ton of maintenance reports from the groundsman, approved the summer menu, discussed the expansion of the golf course with the resort manager, and signed off on endless invoices.”
“How productive.”
He groans, and I just know his gorgeous, naked body is stretching out in the bed as he does. Lord have mercy.
“Shit,” he breathes. “That’s my list of things to do today. We need to have a chat about acceptable levels of indulgence on weekdays.”
I laugh. “Happy to. Will you listen this time?”
“No.”
I roll my eyes and slip a cup under the machine, hitting the button that’ll give me a double espresso. “How do we manage this?” I ask. “I’m good for nothing, and I have targets to reach if I’m going to hit my goal.”
“You know, you could go it alone.”
I get my coffee and head back. “You mean in business? Why would I?”
“Because every penny you make would go into your pocket, not to LB&B Finance Group.”
“I have a noncompete clause. I can’t just walk out and take all my clients with me.”
“What if you don’t have to?”
“Take all my clients?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not understanding.”
“I know people.”
I stop midstride, realization slowly falling. “No, Jude,” I say firmly. “That’s not how I want to do things.”
“You want to work your fingers to the bone?”
“Yes.”
“Okay,” he says, simple as that. “What are we doing tonight?” Conversation over. He took my word and accepted it. Fuck, could I love him more?
Tonight, I plan on gently asking him about the medication I found in his cupboard. About his father. I just need to pick my moment and find the courage. “I need to be in bed at a decent hour so I can get some sleep. I missed the gym this morning too.”
“You don’t need to go to the gym. I’m your new personal trainer, and my way of keeping fit is much more fun.”
I’m not going to argue. “I’ll be finished at six.”
“I’ll be there.”
I hang up, grinning like a fool, but it falls when I spy Leighton in the distance with Gary. They high-five. Huh? That does not look like a conversation where Gary just told Leighton he’s not Kimpton’s cup of tea. I sip my coffee and wince at the bitterness. “Morning,” I say as I approach.
“Oh, Lazenby.” Leighton holds out both hands, like he wants a hug. “Aren’t you going to congratulate me?”
“Congratulate you on being a first-class creep?” I ask under my breath as I pass. What the hell have I missed? “What am I congratulating you on?” I keep moving, and Leighton falls into stride with me as Gary slips into one of the senior partners’ offices.
“My new clients, the Cartwright twins.”
I try so hard not to bring up my coffee. Fuck, he got the Cartwright twins from Liverpool? “Congratulations.” I chew over the word, trying to sound sincere. Shit, shit, shit. That’s a massive deal and will certainly lessen the blow of not being Kimpton’s cup of tea. The senior partners will be thrilled. Did he sleep with them? Woo them? “I’m happy for you.” I smile as I turn my back at my door, pushing my way into my office.