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“I’m on my way back then,” I tell him, masking my aggravation.
“No need,” he replies nonchalantly.“Why don’t you take the weekend off?Stay at the villa.”
“It’s Wednesday,” I remind him.
“Then take the rest of the week off.”
“But I’m here to work.”
“Kylian has things under control.And before you say you can’t because you don’t have any clothes or toiletries, I’ve got you covered.Your suitcase is in the back of the SUV.Although, I did have to get my personal shopper to pick up some shorts and swim trunks for you, because you had absolutely nothing for a stay at the beach.”
“Anders...”I begin, a sneaking suspicion settling in my stomach.“What’s going on?”
“Consider this a retirement gift.Don’t worry.I wouldn’t be so cheeky as to just give you a few days off and call it a gift.Your real present is waiting inside.Have fun, mate.And I don’t want to see your ugly mug back in the city until Sunday.”
“But I don’t—“
“Bye, Creed.”He ends the call, leaving me bewildered.
And curious.
I scoot around to the boot of the SUV, clicking the button on my key fob for it to open.Like Anderson claimed, my suitcase is sitting there, packed and waiting for me.
I grab it, then click the rear door closed before climbing up the elaborate stairs, punching my code into the keypad.When I step inside the grand foyer, dropping my suitcase by the door, I’m surprised at how quiet it is.Normally, this place is buzzing with staff, especially in the summer.
Not today, though.
I wonder if Anderson gave them the rest of the week off, too.
When I hear footsteps, I dart my eyes toward the great room just as a body comes into view, wearing a bikini and a sheer coverup, legs seeming to go on for miles.
I blink repeatedly to make sure I’m not seeing things.Make sure this isn’t a figment of my imagination.A manifestation of my deepest desires.But when Esme saunters up to me, surrounding me with her addictive scent, I know it’s not.Know she’s real.
“You’re here.”
She slowly nods, but doesn’t make a move to touch me.“I’m here.”Her lips curve into a smile.“Anderson wanted to do something nice for you as a retirement present.So did Archie.”
“Archie?”I lift a brow.
She shrugs.“He knows how we feel about each other and was happy to help Anderson.He’s staying at a hotel down the street and will leave us alone as long as you check in with him once a day, since he’d rather not lose his job over this.But don’t worry,” she adds quickly.“He knows you haven’t officially given your notice yet.You can trust him to stay quiet about your retirement… And me.”
I shake my head, overwhelmed by the lengths both Anderson and Archie have gone in order to make this happen.To give me the best gift I’ve ever received.
Slowly moving toward her, I rake my gaze down her body, moistening my lips as desire blooms inside me.“You’remy retirement present?”
“I hope you’re not disappointed that you didn’t get some expensive watch or monogrammed cufflinks.”
I grip her hip, yanking her body against mine.She gasps, my touch taking her by surprise.I understand why, considering I’ve resisted any sort of intimate touching between us.
But right now, in this place, I can do whatever I want without fear of someone learning the truth.
For the next five days, it’s just us.
“This is the best present ever.”
Then I slam my lips against hers.
ChapterTwenty
