Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33396 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 167(@200wpm)___ 134(@250wpm)___ 111(@300wpm)
“Other reasons?” Tillie asked.
“Sex.”
“What?”
Luca raised a brow and she felt her cheeks start to heat. “You do realize your Uncle Ed was a bit of a player, right? He went through secretaries and PAs like they were going out of fashion.”
“I had no idea.”
“Yeah, and he also gave a couple of them some big payoffs. However, I promised you I would only get rid of the people who showed no promise. April doesn’t show any promise at all.”
Tillie was still reeling from the truth about her uncle. “Wow,” she said. “I never thought of my uncle as … someone who would do that. I mean, he is married.”
“Married people cheat, Tillie.”
She folded her arms and looked at him. “Will you cheat on me?”
“No.”
“How can you know?”
He chuckled. “You’re upset at the thought of me cheating and now you’re confused because I said I wouldn’t cheat?” He took a couple of steps toward her.
“It’s not that, but I am curious how you would know you wouldn’t cheat?” she asked. “You don’t know how you’re going to think or how you’re going to feel, and women like April, they’re gorgeous. I don’t know if Uncle Ed did all the chasing, or if the women did the chasing, and right now, I’m not exactly sure of what I’m saying.” She pressed her lips together in the hope that she would stop talking.
Luca chuckled. “I have no intention of cheating on you, Tillie. You are, however, late.”
She blew out a breath. “I know. I’m sorry. Traffic was a nightmare, and parking wasn’t easy, but I come with gifts.” She pulled out a couple of Tupperware tubs. She spent all morning preparing their lunch, and now she smiled at him as she placed one in front of him, and then provided him with the necessary fork.
Taking her own bowl, she sat down in the chair in front of his desk, and waited for him to open his lunch. He did so, and she watched his reactions. He leaned down and inhaled and she saw the moan form on his lips.
“That smells delicious.”
“It’s a pesto chicken couscous salad. It has sundried tomatoes, artichokes, lemon, and of course chicken and pesto.”
She opened her own bowl but waited to take a bite until after he’d taken one. The moment he did, she watched him close his eyes.
“That is good.”
Feeling happy with herself, and believing her grandma to be right—that love starts with the stomach—she took a mouthful of her own food. The flavors were good, balanced, and this was one of her favorite foods to eat either hot or cold.
Luca finished his food first, and Tillie put hers on his desk, then reached into her bag to bring out a dessert. This was a chocolate mousse she had started yesterday and finished today, adding a bit of whipped cream.
He took the mousse from her, and as she finished her chicken, he worked on his dessert. She hadn’t packed one for herself, as the chicken was enough for her. Also, she didn’t have quite the sweet tooth she once used to.
“Amazing,” he said.
Tillie was about to talk when suddenly there was a knock at the door, but no one waited for an answer as it opened.
“Luca, I think you should see this,” her father Andrew said, coming into the room.
They hadn’t talked in so long. She had known he felt a little guilty at the fact she was having to do this in the first place. There had been no out for her. She didn’t have a choice.
Andrew stepped up to the desk, and she guessed he hadn’t seen her.
Luca frowned as he placed the paperwork in front of him.
“I think that is my cue to go,” Tillie said.
By speaking, her father finally looked up. “Tillie,” he said.
She offered a smile. “Dad.”
“I had no idea you were here.”
“I came to see Luca.” She smiled at her husband, and this was enough awkwardness for her. “I better go and let you get back to work.”
She went to leave but Luca cleared his throat and she turned toward him. His brows were raised and she didn’t know what he wanted. Then he pointed at his lips, and she felt so silly and confused.
She rounded the desk and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I’ll see you at home tonight.”
And with that, she left.
Chapter Five
“Do you want to tell me what is going on with your father?” Luca asked the moment he stepped into the kitchen that night.
Tillie had on one of her many aprons and stood at the stove, stirring a pot.
“Nothing is going on.”
“No?” He folded his arms across his chest.
“No, there isn’t, and what was with pointing at your lips at lunchtime as if I’m supposed to know exactly what you want? We’ve never kissed like that.”
“No, but having my face between your legs this morning didn’t show a sign of things changing?”