Chapter Nineteen
LEONI
My body aches. That’s my first thought as I roll onto my back. My second is, where the fuck am I?
I sit up, and Warren stirs beside me. Fuck.
I run my fingers through my hair. Wet. I frown, lifting the sheets to see I’m naked. Double fuck.
“If you’re thinking of running, don’t.” I jump at the gravelly sound of his voice. His eyes remain closed as he adds, “besides, I know where you live,” his lips lifting into a small smile.
“Did I drunk text you?” I ask, wincing.
“Hard to text when you deleted my number. No, you crashed out in front of my elevator. How did you get down to the basement carpark exactly?”
I groan, burying my head in my hands. “I might have squeezed through the gate.”
His arm snakes around my waist, and he pulls me to him until I’m lying against his chest. “I admire the lengths you went to, to see me, and I’ve put my number back in your phone, don’t delete it again.” He presses a kiss to my neck, and his fingers trace circles across my back.
“This doesn’t change anything,” I mutter, trying to pull away.
He laughs, holding me tighter. “It changes everything, Little Dove.”
“You’re not listening to me–”
He twists his body until he’s lying over me, his nose pressed to mine, his eyes burning into me.
“You’re not listening, Leoni. This thing we have, it’s real and it’s staying.
Italy will not happen again. That part of my life, it will never touch you.
” His erection nudges at my entrance, and I feel my resolve melt away as I part my legs further and he sinks into me.
I watch as Warren fastens his tie, his eyes meeting mine in the reflection.
“What are your plans today?” he asks.
I shrug, pulling the sheet around my naked body. “I should dress,” I say, smirking. We haven’t bothered with clothes all weekend.
“Or stay here and stay naked,” he suggests, grinning as he swoops down to kiss me.
I hook my arms around his neck, keeping him there as I pull up and onto my knees. “Stay with me,” I suggest, biting my lower lip for extra effect.
His eyes wander down my body, like he’s contemplating it. And then he stands, and my arms fall away. “Too much to do at the office.”
I pout playfully. “Why don’t I come in?”
“We talked about this last night,” he replies, fastening his cufflinks. “I’ll speak to my father and have your contract terminated with immediate effect; you worked most of your notice. What with your brother and the funeral, it’s understandable.”
“I didn’t even put my notice in writing.” I bite on my lower lip. “What if I don’t want to leave?”
His eyes linger on me. “Leoni, you’ve been wanting to leave since you started,” he reminds me.
“That was before,” I say, throwing my legs over the edge of the bed. “Now you’re not being so much of an arse…”
He grins, leaning down to place another kiss on my lips. “It’s best we leave things as they are,” he says, and I frown. “Besides, you don’t have to work, I have plenty of money for the both of us.” And then he’s gone before I can argue.
I shower and dress, then head down to my apartment. Warren’s words are playing on my mind. I’ve never thought of being a ‘kept woman’, until now at least. And I don’t like it. The thought makes me uncomfortable.
My phone rings, and I smile when I see Courtney’s name.
“Hey.”
“Did you sort things with Mr Tall, Dark and Handsome?”
“I think so.”
“Then why do you sound so sad?” I hear her rustling before she says, “Coffee, black.”
“Because he doesn’t want me to work for him anymore.”
Courtney laughs. “You hated that job.”
“Well, I hated him, and now I don’t so…”
“You seriously want to go back there now you’re dating your boss?”
I smirk, “Office sex would be hot.”
“Didn’t you say half the workforce in that place want to shag him? How are you gonna handle that day in, day out?”
Her words hit me in the chest, and jealousy burns a little. “I’d have to suck it up. It’s me he’s going home with.”
She laughs again. “Now you’re living with him?”
“Well, no…not exactly. But he did hint he would keep me. He said he had enough money for the both of us.” I cringe as I say the words out loud.
“I’m confused. One minute you hate him, the next you don’t, now what, you’re gonna stay at his place and be his secret whore?”
“Court,” I gasp.
“Well come on, he doesn’t want you to work with him, you already said his family are awful so is he even telling them about you? And he’s offering to pay your bills? Sounds like the perfect sugar daddy.”
I sigh heavily. “I didn’t like the idea; it’s not like I was gonna say yes.”
“You want my advice?” She pauses, and when I don’t respond she adds, “Go to work. He hasn’t taken your resignation yet.
Let him know you’re an independent woman and you can make your own decisions.
And if you decide not to work for him anymore, you’ll hand in your resignation when you’re good and ready. ”
I nod, even though she can’t see me. “You’re right,” I say, getting to my feet.
“Have a great day,” she says, making a kiss noise before disconnecting.
On the way to the office, I call in to the coffee shop. Mike glances up, and his expression changes instantly, like a rabbit caught in headlights as I approach.
I wince before saying, “I am so sorry about the other night.”
“What can I get you?” he asks, his tone all business.
I sigh, “Come on, Mike. I didn’t know he’d show up. And I didn’t expect him to react like that. He just assumed the worst.”
His eyes narrow, “I was a complete gent.”
“I know. And I appreciate it. I was so drunk and the funeral hit me harder than I thought.”
He sighs, grabbing a cup and setting it on the machine. “Just as long as he doesn’t come looking for me.”
I smile gratefully. “I swear I’ll keep him under control.”
Talia smiles as I stride through reception.
“Well look what the cat dragged in.” She rounds the desk and embraces me. “I thought you’d left.”
“No, I just needed some time after my brother.” I leave the part out about going to Italy with Warren, not wanting to fuel the gossip.
She rubs my arms in sympathy. “Understandable.”
“Did I miss anything?”
She gets back behind her desk. “Not really.” Then she leans closer.
“That bitch is here though; she’s been parading around this place like a queen.
I don’t know what’s going on.” I stare blankly, and she grins, “Yah know, the one who was here before,” she taps a finger to her lip like she’s trying to recall something. “Sandy… no that’s not it. Brandy…”
My heart stutters. “Nancy?”
She grins, “Yes. That’s her. God what a witch.”
I glance towards the elevator. “She’s here now?”
“Yes. Not in his diary mind. But when I tried to stop her, she laughed and carried on like I hadn’t spoken.
I rushed up to apologise to Mr Baxter, you know what he can be like, but he seemed very cosy with her,” and she gives a wink.
“Anyway, I’m so glad you’re back so I don’t have to pick up the slack. No offense.”
I half-smile and head for the elevator. “None taken,” I mutter.
By the time I get to the office, my blood is pumping and my heart racing.
What did she mean by cosy? Warren’s office blinds are closed.
I shrug out of my jacket and place my bag on the floor under my desk.
Then I square my shoulders and head for the door, knocking and waiting.
When he doesn’t answer, I take a breath and push the door open, only to find the office empty.
“He’s in a meeting.” I spin around to find Erik leaning in the doorway with a grin on his face. “Good to see you back. How was Italy?”
I go back to my desk and set the coffee down. “Good, thank you.”
He saunters in, picking up the coffee and flopping down into a seat near my desk. “What did you do there?”
I lower into my seat and turn on my computer. “Didn’t Warren tell you?”
He shrugs, “I’m asking you.”
“I’d prefer you to ask him.”
His eyes travel towards the door, and he stands. I turn to see Warren marching over, his strides long and his face stern.
“I didn’t expect you in today,” he says tightly, not quite meeting my eye.
“I’m ready to be here,” I say, “I did try to tell you that this–”
“Let’s go over my schedule,” he cuts in before I can finish, heading into his office.
I sigh, grabbing my note pad and pen.
“He doesn’t seem very pleased,” Erik whispers with a smirk as he heads out.
Warren is sitting at his desk, staring at his phone. “I thought I made it clear this morning,” he says, raising his eyes to mine.
“You didn’t give me a chance to reply,” I mutter, sitting down.
He rubs his brow. “I don’t understand the issue. You wanted to quit.”
“And I don’t understand your issue,” I snap. “You told me I had to hand in my notice in writing. You were very specific on that.”
“That’s when I was trying…” he trails off, sighing. “To keep you around,” he admits, reluctantly.
We both fall silent for a moment. “Have you told your family about us?” I ask.
He almost laughs, then realises I’m serious and frowns. “Tell my family?” he repeats. “Tell them what exactly? We only made up a couple of nights ago.”
I suddenly feel silly, and my face reddens with embarrassment.
His frown fades to something less deep and he gives a sympathetic smile.
“Look, all of that will come. I’m not hiding you away, Lee.
” I nod, keeping my eyes fixed on the notepad in my lap.
“We can tell the world, but for now, can we keep it between us? I don’t want you to be the hot topic of gossip around the entire office.
And until we work out exactly how to navigate it, I want to keep you to myself.
If my father finds out he’ll be adding us onto guest lists at all of his boring functions. ”
I glance up. “Okay.”
“Sure?” he asks, and I nod again.
“Great. Now, can you change some appointments around for me.”
And just like that, he’s back to business.
WARREN