“Oliver, don’t you think you’re being paranoid?” Fred asks over FaceTime.
I’m seated at my desk in my home office with Jamie by my side and Fred on the line, discussing the Bethany Hotel deal. I knew Jason’s family was loaded, but I didn’t think he’d be capable of outbidding me. We’re really going to have to pull all our cards if we’re going to make this work and seal the deal.
“You said you barely knew the guy,” Fred points out. “Why the hell would he suddenly want to steal your investment?”
I turn to him, my eyes blazing. “You don’t understand, Fred. If you saw the look on this guy’s face last night, you’d agree he’s out to get me.”
Fred shakes his head. “I still think you’re overreacting. Besides, it’s the weekend. Don’t you think you should take a break from work and relax a bit? Focus on something else?”
Immediately, my mind wanders to Catherine and our plans for tonight. I glance at the time on my phone. Time couldn’t be counting down slower. I’m growing anxious with each passing moment as my desire to touch Catherine again consumes me.
You’re right. I need to distract myself.” I glance over at Jamie. “You can go.”
She raises her brows. “Are you sure? I don’t have any plans for the weekend. I can stay as long as you need.”
I rise, slipping my hands into my pockets. “Thanks, but there’s no need, Jamie.”
She nods and stands, ready to leave.
“Fred, I’ll call you later.” I hang up the phone and turn to Jamie. “Do you need a ride home?”
Jamie smiles softly. “No, that’s okay. I drove.”
I gesture for her to lead the way down to the foyer. The late evening light casts an orange glow over everything, stimulating my senses with its calming ambience.
We stop in front of the door and I open it; the streetlight reflecting off its surface like a kind of dreamy haze.
Just then, Catherine walks past us on her way upstairs from the kitchen. She takes one look at Jamie and smiles kindly. “Hi,” she says, stopping at the stairway.
“Hi,” Jamie responds in a less than friendly tone, eyeing Catherine up and down.
“Jamie, this is Catherine. She’s my sister’s best friend and Alice’s new nanny. Catherine, this is Jamie, my assistant.”
Jamie’s jaw practically falls to the floor when she hears this. “You’reAlice’s nanny? Like a live-in nanny?”
Catherine nods, amusement forming on her lips. “Yep.” Her eyes sweep over to mine. “I thought you were a world-class employer,” she quips. “Yet here you are, assigning your assistant work on the weekends.”
“I don’t mind,” Jamie says, quickly recovering her composure. “It’s my pleasure.” But there’s a touch of annoyance in her voice that doesn’t go unnoticed by Catherine or me.
“I appreciate it, Jamie,” I tell her.
“Well, I’m off,” Jamie says, clutching her purse tightly. “Have a good night, Mr. Burke. Catherine.”
With that, she practically scurries out the door, her heels clicking on the pavement as she hurries to her car. Catherine and I watch her go in silence, the tension between us growing thicker.
“So, what’s the plan for tonight?” Catherine asks finally, breaking the silence as I close the door.
I turn to her, feeling my heartbeat quicken. “Is Alice in bed?” I ask, my eyes wandering over her body. I feel my arousal growing, but I try to tamp it down. The last thing I want is to come across as eager, but this is the first time in a while I’ve been truly excited with a new woman since my wife passed away.
Catherine nods, and I can sense her own energy pulsing through her body. “She’s about to take a bath,” she says. “I can get her to bed right after.”
“Sounds good,” I tell her. “Meet me in my room after.”
Catherine’s lips curve upwards into a seductive smile as she saunters toward me. “I’ll be there,” she purrs.
I can hardly contain my excitement as I make my way up to my room. It’s been a while since I’ve felt butterflies in my stomach like this. I take a quick shower, the water cascading over my body calming me down a bit. I can hardly wait for Catherine to arrive.
As I step out of the shower, I hear a knock on the door. I wrap a towel around my waist before going to answer it. Catherine stands there, her eyes lingering on my body before flickering up to meet my gaze.
