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His voice was right by my ear, and my heart thumped as he swiftly selected the front door key and slipped it into the keyhole.
Oh, no. Not this again.
“Well?” Theodore asked, still holding the key in place in the hole, keeping me trapped between him and the door.
I swallowed. “That’s me, of course, sir.”
“That’s the right answer.” He turned the key, and the door unlocked with a swift click. “So, do your best to make sure you’re the only one who stays by my side today,” he said in a low, smooth voice that tickled me in places that had no business being tickled in public.
Fuck. Shit. Wank. Bollocks.
This bastard.
“Of course, sir,” was what I managed to eke out through the emphatic pulse of my heartbeat in my ears. “You should go into the office. Everyone will be arriving soon.”
“I will when you get out of the doorway.”
Right.
Shit.
I was still here.
I shuffled inside and got out of his way to turn on the lights. The office was remarkably clean, and it looked every inch ready to open.
At least it would when the opening decorations and complimentary refreshments were delivered.
I wasn’t sure how many people would show up but given how many properties were under the Adair Travel umbrella, I expected it to be a little chaotic. Especially with the caravans in the holiday parks that were currently almost fully booked for the Easter break.
With that in mind, we’d invited all the residents to stop by for an exclusive extra discount on their next holiday with their proof of their current booking.
With that in mind, arriving at eight-thirty didn’t feel early enough for a midday opening.
This whole situation was so far outside my comfort zone. I was used to phone calls and schedules and schmoozing rich people I wanted to smack with my mental box file, not dealing with the general public.
I really hoped nobody wanted me to show my face here too much when the office opened.
“There’s a staff room here, right?” Theodore said, loosening his tie. “Can you make me a cup of tea?”
“What are you doing loosening your tie, sir? The other staff members will be here any minute.” I walked over, stopping him in his tracks. “You tied this, didn’t you? How are you so competent yet so bad at tying ties?”
He grinned as I undid the knot and adjusted it around his neck. “Because you always step in to do it for me, Miss St. James.”
Was this bastard flirting with me right now?
“There’s your fabulous weaponised incompetence, sir.” I swiftly reknotted the tie and secured it in place. “I’d tell you I won’t do this anymore, but we both know that’s a lie.”
“That’s why I do it.”
“Your new secretary might not be so understanding.”
“That’s quite all right. I don’t intend to let anyone tie it but you.”
“Then might I suggest you up your tie-tying game, sir?” I stepped back. “Don’t loosen it again. You don’t want to look a mess to the employees.”
He smiled, tilting his head down to properly meet my eyes. “I know I keep saying it, but sometimes, it really does feel like you’re the boss here, Chloe.”
“I’m glad we’re finally on the same page,” I said dryly, picking a bit of lint from his lapel.
