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I glance up to see something even more breathtaking than the penthouse.
My boss is standing to the left dressed in faded jeans and a black T-shirt. That’s giving me an unobstructed view of his muscular arms. His left forearm has a black and gray tattoo wrapped around it, but if I stare any harder, he’s going to take notice.
Who knew he was even more gorgeous dressed down?
“Trina.” My name snaps from his lips. “You made it.”
As if I had a choice.
It’s not just the one and half million dollars that dragged my ass and most of my clothing here, but it’s Mr. Abdon.
I don’t want to let him down.
Graham stalks toward me to grab the handle of my overstuffed suitcase. He picks it up with ease. “I’ll put this in my bedroom.”
I don’t wait for an invitation to follow him. I do it because I need to know the route when this day is finally over.
It’s a much less complicated path to his bedroom than it is to the guest one.
Once again, large wooden double doors await us.
“If this isn’t up to your standards, there are several other bedrooms.” He tosses me a look. “I expect you to let me know if you’re comfortable.”
Feeling as though I’m about to enter a palace, I smile. “I’ll be fine here, sir.”
He cocks a brow.
“Graham,” I correct myself. “I meant Graham.”
He turns one of the door handles and steps aside. “After you.”
I hold in my surprise as I enter his bedroom. This is not at all what I was expecting.
It’s much smaller than the guest room. A king size bed takes up most of the space. The view beyond the window is of the side of a building next door. It’s the only building on the block that’s taller than this one.
There is no fireplace or expensive artwork on the walls, but the ambiance is welcoming. It’s cozy, and the colors on the curtains on the window and the bedding are shades of gray with accents of black and white.
Graham steps around me to place my suitcase on the floor near the foot of the bed. “As I said, if it’s not suitable, I can relocate you to another room.”
I glance at him. “It’s fine. I like it.”
His finger juts out to point to two closed doors. “There’s a bathroom to the left, and the walk-in closet is empty. I moved my things into the adjoining room.”
That tracks my gaze to the right and an open doorway. “That’s over there?”
He nods. “Yes. We’ll keep that door closed unless there’s a reason for me to join you in here.”
Our eyes meet for the briefest of moments.
Barring an emergency with Mr. Abdon, there should be absolutely no reason for Graham to join me in here.
Even though I kind of might want him to at some point.
I chase that thought away because he sure as hell doesn’t think about me that way.
“I suspect we have another hour or two before Lloyd wakes up.” He pinches the bridge of his nose. “Take some time to unpack, and then we’ll get started in the kitchen.”
“All right,” I say quietly.
This is really happening. I’m temporarily moving in with my temporary husband.
Graham brushes past me on his way out of the room. Before he reaches the doorway, he turns back. “Thank you, Miss Shaw. This means a great deal to Lloyd.”
I have to wonder if it means anything to him.
“I appreciate you putting your life on hold for the next ninety days.” He drops his hands to his hips.
“Mr. Abdon gave me an incredible opportunity when he hired me. If I can do anything to make him happy, I want to.”
His eyes bore into me as he studies me from head to toe. “He made the right decision that day, Trina.”
Maybe. Maybe not.
Lloyd couldn’t have known when he hired me that one day I’d end up pretending to love, honor, and cherish his CEO.
“That was delicious, Trina,” Lloyd says as he wipes a linen napkin over his lips. “Chicken Piccata is a long time favorite of mine.”
I breathe a sigh of relief. After arranging everything in Graham’s kitchen, including putting away all of the groceries, I knew I had to whip up something quickly for dinner.
Chicken Piccata fit the bill. I paired it with a side salad and some crusty bread.
Graham chose a bottle of white wine, and by the time Lloyd woke from his nap, dinner was ready, and the dining room table was set.
I turn to him. “I’m glad you liked it.”
My gaze wanders across the table to where Graham is seated. It was his choice to sit Lloyd at the head of the table with us on either side of him.
I had to struggle not to stare at my boss through dinner. I don’t know what it is about him in his home, but it’s captivating. Maybe it’s because, for once, he looks somewhat relaxed and at ease.
