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The gun at a horserace went off and there went my heart. It was thundering like a herd of hooves. I managed out, “Uh, coffee?”
His grin widened. He knew full well what he was doing to me, but he turned towards the stove again. “Or I could make you an omelet?”
“Oh. Uh.” My stomach rumbled, but I shook my head. “Coffee is usually my breakfast, or a breakfast bar on the run. I hit the snooze too much and am always late for work.” I grimaced. “Or almost always late.”
He checked his watch. “What time do you start work?”
I snorted. “After last week, I doubt I have a job there.”
“Are you sure about that?”
My eyes had wandered over to the coffee, but now they whipped back to his. A deeper look caught and held me breathless. Then a suspicion started to grow. “Carter, what did you do?”
“What makes you think I did something?”
I studied him, but there it was. I saw it again. There was a spark of amusement in his wolf-like blue eyes. I sighed. I was starting to realize he could do anything, and getting my job back was probably something he could’ve done in his sleep. “You know Mr. Hudson, don’t you?”
His grin widened. “No, I don’t know Mr. Hudson. Who is he?”
I couldn’t tell if he was lying now. “He’s the Head of Beverage Sales. I’m his assistant.”
“Oh.” He lifted his orange juice and took a sip. “That’s good to know.”
Why was I getting frustrated with him?
He glanced at his watch again. “When did you normally have to be at work?”
“Nine in the morning.” I narrowed my eyes. “Why?”
“You’re going in like that?”
I glanced down at myself, in the robe with my bare feet poking out. Then I heard what he said again and my head whipped up. “You got my job back, didn’t you?”
He took ano
ther sip of orange juice. “I don’t know Mr. Hudson, no, but I am sparring partners with Noah Tomlinson.”
My eyes bulged out. “You know Noah Tomlinson? He owns The Richmond, Carter.”
“I know.” His grin grew wicked. “He owns all of them.”
I couldn’t talk, not for a while. The Richmond was a ritzy hotel, with a chain that spread nationally and internationally. It had global success and Noah Tomlinson started it all. Wait—did he say sparring partners? Feeling dizzy all the sudden, I reached out for the counter to steady myself. My hand slipped, and I would’ve fallen off my stool to the floor had Carter not caught me. He grabbed my arm. It happened so fast. I couldn’t look away from his hand as it was wrapped around my arm. He righted me back on my stool before he stepped back.
“Good reflexes,” I noted, breathless. “I’m sure that comes in handy when you’re sparring against an MMA Champion.”
Carter grinned and shrugged. “It does have its benefits.” Then he gave me a pointed look. “You are going to be late if you don’t get ready.”
I still couldn’t believe any of what he said.
“Emma.”
Work. Late. It was after 8:30 now. Oh god. I shook my head. I was getting dizzy again. Then I choked out, “Noah Tomlinson didn’t have enough money to start all those hotels at once. He got the money from you, didn’t he?”
Carter lifted an eyebrow. “Your job is still there, but if you’re late, I can’t guarantee it’ll always be there.”
He didn’t have to say any more. I raced upstairs and emptied my bag onto the bed. When I couldn’t find anything that would’ve been appropriate, I wanted to scream. But then I looked at the closets and I wondered…. I swept it open and gaped. Well, that wasn’t true. I would’ve gaped if I had enough time. The closet was full of designer labels and after I checked a skirt, I saw it was in my size.
I didn’t have time to think about that coincidence.
