Chapter 10 Leander #2
Leander shook his head, though his irritation was more fond than genuine. “I should have seen it coming. But Mother, it’s turning out better than I ever expected. It’s Camille St. James.”
The sharp intake of breath on the other end told him his mother recognized the name immediately. “The socialite? The one who’s always in the society pages? Leander, that’s quite surprising. But I’m happy for you, darling.”
“She’s nothing like what you’d expect from her reputation,” he said quietly, his voice carrying protective undertones. “She’s brilliant, passionate about architecture, and she’s been living a life that never belonged to her. Her parents just kicked her out for refusing to quit working for me.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” His mother’s voice gentled with understanding. “She’s living with you temporarily, then?”
Heat crept up his neck. “Yes. And Mother... we may have already...”
“Leander Drake, please tell me you didn’t sleep with that poor girl on her first night in your home, especially when she’s vulnerable and displaced from family drama.”
“She made the first move,” he said quickly, then cleared his throat. “I was showing restraint. But the bond, Mother—it’s incredibly strong. And she’s not some fragile flower. She’s fierce and independent and exactly what my lion has been waiting for.”
His mother’s sigh carried both exasperation and affection. “I suppose I should be grateful you found your mate. But darling, getting involved with the St. James family drama could complicate things significantly.”
“I can handle whatever comes,” he said firmly. “She’s mine now, and I protect what’s mine.”
“Well then, I suppose you’d better bring her here so I can meet the woman who’s finally tamed my stubborn son. Why don’t you both come to the Hamptons tomorrow? A long weekend away might be exactly what you need.”
Leander blinked. “Tomorrow is Friday, Mother.”
“And? You’re the CEO. You can take a day off to introduce your mate to your mother. Besides, the estate is beautiful this time of year, and she might need time to decompress from all this family upheaval.”
The idea settled into his mind with surprising appeal. Three days away from the city’s chaos, from Damian’s schemes, from the constant demands of the business world. Three days to explore this new bond without interruption, to show Camille the place where his lion could run free.
“Alright,” he conceded. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
After ending the call, Leander turned his attention to the Lexington blueprints spread across his desk.
He marked problem areas with quick, efficient strokes, genuinely eager to see what insights Camille’s fresh perspective might offer.
Her architectural instincts were sharp, and he suspected her solutions would be far more elegant than anything he’d managed to devise.
Minutes later, the walk to her office next door felt charged with anticipation.
When he knocked and entered, the sight of her bent over her computer, completely absorbed in work, sent heat through him.
“I have those blueprints ready,” he said, setting them on her desk. “But I also have something else to ask you.”
She looked up, her blue eyes bright with curiosity.
“My mother would like to meet you. I’m heading to the Hamptons tomorrow for a long weekend, and I’d love for you to join me. But if it’s too much too soon, I completely understand.”
To his surprise and delight, she didn’t hesitate even a moment. “That sounds wonderful. I’d love to meet your mother.”
The smile that spread across his face felt unstoppable. “Perfect. We’ll leave first thing tomorrow morning.”
Back in his office, Leander found himself mentally planning their weekend—quiet walks along the beach, showing her the pride lands where his lion could finally run free, and intimate dinners without the pressure of the city’s watchful eyes. For once, he looked forward to time away from work.
Travis appeared in his doorway without knocking, as was his habit. “You’re smiling again,” his cousin observed with amusement.
Leander touched his face, surprised. “Am I?”
“Like a man who’s gotten exactly what he wanted for Christmas. Let me guess—things went well with Camille last night?”
“Camille and I will be taking tomorrow off to visit my mother at the estate.”
Travis’s eyebrows shot up. “You’re taking time off? In the middle of the Lexington project? This must be serious.”
“I claimed her last night,” Leander admitted quietly.
Travis’s laughter filled the office. “I knew it! Didn’t even last one night under the same roof. I told you restraint feels different when she’s that close.”
“She initiated it,” Leander replied firmly.
“Well, even better then. Means she wants you as much as you want her. At this rate, there might be a wedding before we know it.”
The thought sent a thrill through Leander that he didn’t bother to hide. “Hold down the fort while I’m away?”
“Yes, boss. Go enjoy your mate.”
As Travis left, Leander settled back into his chair, his mind already in the Hamptons, already imagining Camille’s reaction to the sprawling estate where his family had lived for generations.
The rest of the day passed in a haze of anticipation and half-formed plans for the perfect romantic weekend.