Page 43 of Wreck Me

‘Yes.’

‘I’m not sure what’s more exciting, that you’re going on a date on Valentine’s night or that you’re finally bringing a girl to meet us. How exciting!’ My mother puts her cup down inits saucer and stands. ‘Now, I must go, darling. I have a nail appointment in ten minutes.’

‘I can see how busy you are.’ I shake my head but my heart squeezes. If I thought I could find a love as strong as my parents share, or like Caelon and Isabella, I wouldn't shun the idea of marriage.

But the problem with letting someone in, rather than pretending to let someone in, is that you open yourself up to get hurt.

Which is why I vowed never to put myself in that situation again.

Chapter Twenty-One

JAMES

An urgent phone call from Julian Jones, the Chairman of the Board, holds me up for another forty-five minutes. Then he demands an update on the acquisition, and my love life. Both of which I’m able to report are progressing nicely.

When I eventually hang up, Chantel appears to clear away the tea. ‘Someone’s sent you a Valentine’s present,’ she singsongs, twisting her ponytail around her fingers.

‘Put it in the bin.’ It’s not the first time. Once, some opportunistic stranger sent lingerie.

‘I think you’ll want to see this one.’ Chantel eyes me smugly.

‘Doubtful.’

‘A courier arrived with it fifteen minutes ago. It’s from Scarlett.’ Chantel is up to speed with our arrangement. I can’t keep secrets from her.

I yank my eyes from my computer screen. ‘You opened it?’

‘No. She wrote her return details on the packaging. I’ll fetch it for you now. I thought this thing between you was for the benefit of the Board?’ Chantel teases, shimmying her hips.

‘It is.’ Mostly. ‘Where is it?’

‘Give me a second.’ She takes the tray and returns thirty seconds later clutching a small box, wrapped in brown paper and tied with a scarlet bow. I pull the string, but then think better of it with Chantel peering over my shoulder like a pirate’s parrot. ‘A little privacy please.’

‘Don’t leave me hanging!’ Chantel begs as I shoo her out the room and close the door. ‘Go home,’ I shout before it slams shut.

The box burns beneath my fingers, curiosity curling in my core. I tear the paper clean off, and laugh as it falls to the office floor. A neat crimson box with a clear plastic lid reveals a designer tie in a familiar shade of grey. I open it and pull out the tiny card attached.

Thought you could wear this laters, baby. Scarlett x

I pluck my phone from my pocket and message Tim. I can’t wait another second to see her. We might be pretending to be in a relationship, but I’ve never pretended I don’t want her physically.

Tim drives frustratingly slowly, religiously sticking to the speed limits. Clearly, he’s not as eager as I am to get home.

The smell of roast chicken and thyme permeates the air as I step into the hallway of my home. A thrum of anticipation ripples down my spine.

Rosa strides into the hallway and takes my coat. I scan the room. ‘Where is Scarlett?’

‘In the dining room, sir.’ Rosa points to the door, even though I’m well aware of where my own dining room is. I grab a bottle of Beckett’s whiskey from the bar in the sitting room before making my way into the dining room.

Scarlett is perched at the top end of the table, with her nose buried in her new laptop. A pile of textbooks sits beside her. She glances up as I enter, a small smile playing on her crimson-painted lips.

In a figure-sculpting black cocktail dress that dips into a low V at the front, she looks elegant, endearing and utterly enticing. The elaborate bouquet I bought her sits in the centre of the table.

‘You’re home!’ Is that pleasure in her tone? There’s a hint of mischief in her kohl-lined eyes.

‘I am, thank goodness. It’s been a long day. Scratch that, it’s been a long few weeks,’ I drag in a breath and blow it out slowly. ‘Especially knowing you were here.’ I cross the room to stand beside her.

The scent of her perfume lingers in the air between us.

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