Page 73 of Painted Truths

His deep, unbelievably sexy laughter fills my ears, causing butterflies to flit from one side of my belly to the other.

“Well, who else would be calling you baby after the indecency that we participated in less than a fucking hour past!”

I can feel my cheeks blush heavily in memory of his reference, and I can barely string a question together.

“Umm… I… is everything okay?”

“Everything is perfect, Peaches. But I just had to let you know, you may need to pack a bag for our date.”

“Henry…!” My mouth hangs open in shock at his gall. I’m overwhelmed by the urge to slap him!

“I have to fly to the U.S. later tonight, and I…”

My stomach does a somersault at where this conversation may be headed.

Deep breaths, Liv. Play it cool.

“Baby, would you please come away with me for the weekend? My best friend is getting married on Saturday, and I can think of nothing I’d rather than for you to be by my side.”

Oh. My. God.

I take a minute, thinking about being cautious. Of being a good girl and doing what I’m supposed to do before I throw caution to the wind, allowing my heart to take the lead.

“When do we leave?”

Following a stunned silence, he relays all the info that I need, but refuses point blank to tell me where we are headed, insisting that it’s a surprise.

Bidding me an unwilling farewell, I hang up the phone to turn around and see Freya has cleared the rest of the women from around my desk. But true to form, she stayed on and had a proper eavesdropping. Once I explain what I’m about to do, she can barely contain her delight, though I swear her to secrecy.

My fate has been sealed, and I can’t stop the little thrill of delight that zaps through me. The ability to make decisions for myself will never be lost on me.

Hugging my friend goodbye, I race to the waiting town car, noting Samuel’s absence when the driver, Colin, makes his introduction.

Since having made the move to my new place, the drive home takes even less time than on previous trips, but it feels interminable.

Upon reaching my apartment, I immediately begin packing for the coming days. I’ve never been so grateful to have Josie in my life as I am right now. She’d taken me on a mini shopping trip as a goodbye present when I’d moved out, so I know exactly what clothes to pack for this trip, Henry having told me to prepare for a warm climate.

After living with the girls for the previous two years, I’d become used to keeping my personal items in my bedroom, so having the entire apartment to myself has found me leaving things in the most random places. After eventually locating my body lotion on the sideboard of my itty-bitty kitchen, I realise it has taken slightly longer than anticipated to get my stuff together.

Having finished throwing together a smallish suitcase, opting to pack some fancy pants lingerie to sleep in instead of my go-to ratty t-shirt from the night I’d met Henry, I quickly shower. Afterwards, I scarf down some instant noodles, chuckling darkly to myself upon the realisation that the last thing I swallowed was Henry’s salty climax.

Shaking my head at my depraved train of thought, I dispose of the remainder of my food before throwing a few last-minute items into my handbag. My mind is still utterly consumed by the difference a couple of hours can make when two people finally get their shit together.

It isn’t long until the man on my mind arrives in a dark grey sports car that he later informs me is a Ferrari Roma and his “latest baby.”

Gone is the business attire I’ve become used to and, in its place, he’s wearing light wash, tight-fitting denims, which are ripped at both knees and moulded to his spectacular ass like a glove. He’s paired them with spotless white trainers and a grey hoodie that’s mostly covered by the sexiest black leather jacket known to man.

His dark hair looks freshly washed and holds none of the product it does when he’s working, so it keeps landing in his eyes, causing him to brush it back in annoyance.

Just like when we first met.

And still as sexy as ever.

Upon reaching him, I see his green eyes glowing like precious emeralds as he takes me in from head to toe. I’ve opted for what I think is a chic yet casual look in an oversized cream jumper dress that lands just above mid-thigh, covered by a beige woollen pea coat and matching beige suede over the knee boots with a low block heel.

I think I’ve hit the nail on the head when he makes a fist, raises it to his mouth, biting it with a pained expression on his face.

“Peaches. What are you doing to me, baby?”