Total pages in book: 51
Estimated words: 48412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 48412 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 242(@200wpm)___ 194(@250wpm)___ 161(@300wpm)
“Very well.” My manager nods once. “Usually, women are a casual hobby for you. For this one, you’re flying in security experts from Switzerland?”
“That’s right. She’s everything to me. This isn’t some typical dalliance. I’m in the process of trying to move heaven and earth to keep her.” He cups the sides of my face firmly and tilts my face left and right, as if double-checking I’m not injured. “I don’t think your policy applies here. To us.”
My manager lets out a long breath. “We might be able to make an exception…”
Tripp gives a knowing sigh. “You’ve been looking to expand the east wing, haven’t you?” He flicks a wry glance at his godfather. “You’ll have my investment in the venture by noon, but I’m going to need Vida to have the freedom to come and go from my room as she pleases.”
“Very well. One question, though. If Vida is your girlfriend, why doesn’t she just quit her job?”
“Don’t get me started,” Tripp says through his teeth.
I give a haughty sniff and wiggle free of his embrace. “If you’re done negotiating my life, I have rooms to clean.”
“Hate it,” Tripp drawls.
“Well, that’s just too b—”
My aunt Peggy comes limping into the room on a cane. “Vida!”
“Aunt Peggy?”
My jaw drops open.
My life is suddenly a comedy.
A chaotic one, at that.
“What are you doing here?”
“I’ve been calling you all night.” She pokes me in the thigh with her cane. “I finally decided to drive here and see if you showed up for work. Where have you been?”
“I might be able to answer that.” Tripp steps to my side, his face transforming with a dazzling smile worthy of a movie screen. “Peggy, it’s an honor to make your acquaintance. My name is Tripp Sterling.”
The bluster drains out of Peggy, replaced with a severe blush. “Y-yes, I know who you are. Oh dear, I apologize if I interrupted a meeting—”
“I am the one who should be apologizing. You see, I invited Vida to a party last night on my yacht and time got away from her. I take full responsibility.”
Peggy turns widening eyes on me. “Vida, you’re not supposed to fraternize with the guests. You know that. Especially not…” She jerks a thumb at Tripp.
I flush red to the tips of my ears. “I knew I shouldn’t have gotten out of those ten-thousand-dollar sheets this morning,” I mutter.
“Exactly,” Tripp says smoothly before turning his attention back to my aunt. “Peggy, have you ever visited the spa at Reserve?”
“Oh, goodness no.” she hoots.
Tripp’s movie star smile is back in place, and Peggy is visibly hypnotized.
“Well, today seems like a good time for a first visit, wouldn’t you say? On my account, of course. If you’ll allow me to escort you.” He holds out a bent elbow, and she hooks her arm right in, no hesitation, goggling up at the young man who left bruises on my booty last night. “On the way there, I can tell you about how your stubborn niece became the love of my life overnight and now I lose my goddamn mind every time she’s not in the same room as me.” He sends me a look packed with yearning. “We can stop at the dress shop on the way. I have something to take care of.”
Before either of us can respond to those revealing statements, my aunt is whisked from the room. My manager and I are left in awkward silence, and we trade an uncomfortable glance.
“I’m going to work now,” I say.
“I think that’s a good idea.”
I’m halfway out the door when he calls my name.
“Vida?”
“Yes?” I say, my hand resting on the jamb.
He opens his mouth and closes it. “Be careful.”
Puzzled, I spend the rest of the morning trying to decipher what he meant.
I also spend it thinking hard about my priorities. Is there a way to integrate Tripp’s lifestyle with my own and remain true to who I am? I’m beginning to feel silly rejecting his gestures and gifts in the name of…what? Pride?
There must be a way to meet him halfway.
He proudly proclaimed me as his girlfriend to his wealthy friends and godfather, not a hint of shame that I exist in a different economic sphere. He kept his promise to make my workplace safer. He defended my honor at the cost of jeopardizing a friendship. Been generous to my aunt.
Maybe…I can do something more to balance the effort each of us is making?
Maybe I can give in, just a little more?
FOURTEEN
Tripp
I pace back and forth in front of my hotel room door, my watch telling me that Vida is two minutes late. One more minute and I’m going to start yelling and stomping. I’m not a yeller or a stomper—I’m a calm, collected leader of men with three years of an Ivy League education under his belt. But I’m under some kind of Vida-induced hysteria where, if I don’t see her for a couple of hours, I start to feel like the world is fucking ending.