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“Are you going to lock me in your ivory tower too?” She batted her damn lashes at me.
“Cute, I’ll be back by the time you’re ready to leave. It’s a big place I’m sure it’ll take you a while to snoop.”
“You know me so well already. Come on girl let’s go pack your stuff he’s not gonna leave.” She moved out of the way so Emily could head up and turned back to me.
“Remember, you hurt her I’ll have your balls.” I had no doubt that she meant every word. All easy going teasing was gone and I saw the daughter of the wealthiest man in the city standing before me. No air headed socialite this.
“Fair enough. But I’m pretty sure you knew when you were setting me up that I wouldn’t.”
“You got a point.” She turned and headed up after her friend and I breathed for what felt like the first time in two hours.
I stood looking out the window as I waited for them to return. I was treading in unfamiliar water here. There was no guide book as to how I was supposed to act in this new situation I find myself in. I’ve always dealt in logistics and numbers, but there didn’t seem to be anything logical about the riot of emotions she’d awakened in me in the last couple of days.
I stupidly believed that I could compartmentalize this ‘love’ thing, but it was obvious I was looking at the shit all wrong. I thought I could head off to the office, business as usual and leave her out of my thoughts until I logged off at end of day. The car hadn’t turned the corner this morning before I was already missing her.
At the office it took all my effort to concentrate on business, when only a few short days ago it’s all I lived and breathed. I’d hunted down those damn flowers for her when I should’ve been going over specs. Then she’d invaded my every thought until I gave in and called her. The panic I felt when she didn’t answer any of my calls will live with me for a long time. I’m not an alarmist, but I swear every negative thought possible went through my head in the space of five minutes.
Now as with everything else in my life, everything that I’d ever wanted and gone after, I was going full throttle. It makes sense that she lives with me now, she’s mine, where else would she live? But I have to think about her mother and what to do there. I had a bit of an idea what to do, but it would take more thought than I had to give the situation right now. Later I’ll think about it and discuss it with her.
I turned to look around the room that I’d hardly paid any attention to the last time I’d been here. This is what she was accustomed to. Not that my place was a dump, but it was a far difference between living in a luxury apartment where space was limited and your neighbors were right below you and a ten thousand square foot mansion with extensive grounds. At least I owned the whole top floor. Shit, my ass will probably be in a house before the year is out.
She came downstairs with a few pieces of luggage still looking a bit shell-shocked, while her friend brought up the rear with more of her stuff. I relaxed once I saw that she’d packed more than an overnight bag and moved to take the luggage from her hands. At least I won’t have to argue or threaten to get her to stay where I put her.
22
Jason
I had the driver drop them off because I really was late for my meeting, another first. Hopefully once we got settled in my life would go back to normal, though I doubted it when I found myself calling her as soon as the car pulled off. “Leave your phone on.” I hung up with a smile at her huff.
Shit, I’d forgotten to tell her about the article. It’s the reason I’d been in such a panic. I’ve had nosy ass people in my business before but not to this extent. I had no doubt that we’d be bombarded for the next few weeks at least because of whose daughter she was. I’ll just have to deal with it as it comes. I value my privacy too much to live my life in a fucking fishbowl so these fucks can sell their rags.
As to her protection, that was my job. I know for damn sure I wasn’t about to put up with her name being dragged through the mud the way it had been in the past. I’m guessing she knows that the wild parties and bullshit were at an end. And that thought brought me back to the biggest shock of all. Even more shocking than my hard and fast fall for her. A virgin. I didn’t know that I had such archaic ideals in me. But fuck if I wasn’t thinking marriage.
