Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 63311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 63311 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 317(@200wpm)___ 253(@250wpm)___ 211(@300wpm)
The last time I’d been at that same bar in Vegas, I’d met a cowboy dressed in black, perched on a stool with his legs spread wide. He’d talked about his truck as he guzzled beer and scratched his ample stomach. He was boring and vaguely repulsive, but I hadn’t hesitated when he offered to show me said truck. Five minutes later, he’d been on his knees, his hat tipped back as he sucked me like a Hoover, then begged me to fuck him.
The whole encounter had taken less than an hour and other than the hat and his giant belt buckle, it wasn’t particularly memorable. But that was all I’d needed. Or maybe, it was all I’d allowed myself.
Until last night.
Until Raine.
My eyelids drifted as snapshots came to me like fractured shards in a kaleidoscope. Raine’s soft moans, his parted bee-stung lips, the needy sound he made as I slipped my finger into his hole and—
“We’re landing, sir.”
I jolted awake, nodding brusquely before closing my laptop and giving myself a stern warning to cease and desist fanciful mind trips involving the American. It was a waste of time and brain cells better served thinking about how to secure the M and C deal.
Thirty minutes later, I balanced my umbrella in one hand and pulled my carry-on behind me, making a dash across the tarmac to the black Range Rover waiting nearby. A second vehicle idled behind mine to transport my team to the parking garage where they’d rescue their own cars and head home.
My SUV was the largest; however, I rarely shared. Collins was the exception. His role as driver-slash-bodyguard made that a necessity. But no one else, unless their presence was required. It wasn’t that I was an arsehole—though depending upon whom you asked, that was up for debate—but rather because my SUV was basically an office on wheels. I needed privacy to take important calls at a moment’s notice. There was no such thing as waiting for a more convenient time. Every second mattered.
So yes, I was surprised when Julia pulled at the sleeve of my Savile Row suit coat and requested to join me.
I held my umbrella over her head and regarded her for a beat. The circles under her eyes were more pronounced than earlier, her makeup had smeared or faded, and as she hadn’t bothered with a coat or hat, she was positively soaked. The long flight and arduous schedule could probably be blamed, but there was something else going on. She seemed upset or ill or…worried.
“Of course. Come along.” I ushered her to the Range Rover and greeted my backup driver, who opened our doors and dealt with our luggage while we settled into the rich leather interior. I raised the privacy screen, then shrugged off my suit coat, shifting slightly to face her. “What’s wrong, Julia?”
“I’m sorry, but I’m giving my notice,” she blurted in a rush.
“Notice?” I cocked my head curiously. “Notice for…what?”
“I’m leaving The Horsham Group, sir.”
I furrowed my brow. “You’re leaving? Now?”
Her throat bobbed as she twisted her hands nervously. “Effective May first.”
Two weeks.
“I see. May I ask why? And also…why now?”
“My husband was transferred to Aberdeen last summer. I’ve made the trek to Scotland to visit when I can, but it’s been rather difficult.”
I rubbed my beard thoughtfully. “You never mentioned it.”
“I did, sir. You’ve been busy here, though and—”
“Very busy,” I agreed. “Surely, you realize this is a most inopportune time to lose a trusted assistant.”
Julia nodded miserably. “Yes, and I’ll do what I can to make the transition as seamless as possible for my replacement.”
I wrinkled my nose in confusion. “What replacement?”
“I’ve hired a new assistant. I mentioned it, if you’ll recall.”
“The assistant was supposed to be for you. Not me. That was meant to lessen your workload whilst we’re in the middle of negotiations.”
She worried her bottom lip and shook her head. “Yes, but Edwards can be my replacement. He’s quite experienced, comes with a glowing referral, and he’ll be at the office Monday.”
“Monday,” I repeated irritably.
“Yes. I can arrange for you to meet him when you have time, but of course, I’ll begin showing him the ropes immediately.” She paused to take a breath and commenced wringing her hands, adding, “I’m sorry, Mr. Horsham. I’ve postponed this move a dozen times, and I can’t do it again.”
I held her gaze, then glanced out the rain-streaked windows, unseeing.
Well, this was unfortunate. And untimely. I supposed it explained why she’d seemed out of sorts lately. She’d been dealing with personal strife and while I sympathized, I couldn’t help thinking this was a great example of one of the undesirable byproducts of relationships. For fuck’s sake, did she really want to move to Aberdeen?
Not my business.
In the grand scheme of things, a personnel change wasn’t a total disaster, but at the moment, it bloody well felt like one.