Page 122 of The Bad Husband

“Lila,” he murmurs. “What brings you here?’

Do I like his frosted voice? Not in the slightest.

He makes a stop at the bar and pours himself a shot of hard liquor.

A sharp suit hugs his muscular frame while a starched white dress shirt highlights his neck.

I wait for him to turn around and face me.

He does that eventually, but instead of coming to his desk, he leans back against the bar, brings his drink to his lips, and observes me over the rim of his glass while sipping whiskey.

His attitude throws me off.

“Does your work offer still stand?” I ask, and his expression immediately changes.

He sets his drink down, crosses his arms over his chest, and tilts his lips into a smile.

“Absolutely. Did you quit your other job, or did you get fired?”

“No to both. I just want to start working for you on a part-time basis. Maybe on the weekends?”

A knowing smile creases his lips, amusement glinting in his eyes. He pushes off the smooth edge of the bar, walks to his desk, and claims his seat.

All of a sudden busy, he turns on the screens and checks the live feeds from around the venue.

“Why are you really here, Lila?” he asks, his eyes pinned on one of the screens.

I prop myself against his desk and study his profile.

Eventually, he turns the screens off and looks at me.

“I heard that Henrietta’s stuff was about to be moved to the guesthouse,” I say.

“You did?”

He leans back, lifts his arms up, and clasps his fingers together behind his head.

His broad chest strains against his shirt.

He doesn’t wear a tie today, and his suit jacket is open, revealing his torso and the belt highlighting his trim waist.

My eyes slip below the shiny buckle and linger on his groin.

“How come?” he asks.

“I heard Livia giving directions to the staff.”

“Mm-hmm.”

He straightens and leans forward, pondering something before removing his jacket and sliding it onto the desk.

“Was she still mad?” he asks quietly, and I pause.

“What makes you think she was mad?” I ask after a moment.

He glances up.

“She was mad.”