Page 64 of Wreck Me

The man is a workaholic, so I wouldn't have thought he’d have minded a Saturday business trip if it meant expanding the Beckett empire.

‘I don’t usually.’ His eyes flash to the bare skin between the junction of my boots and the hem of my dress. ‘But I’d far rather spend the day here with you.’ Warmth spreads through my chest. ‘At least we have tonight,’ he says, pushing the cup back towards me.

‘Where are we going?’ I place my lips on the crimson stain again and sip.

‘Dinner. You’ll love it, I promise.’ He prises the cup from my hands and drinks again.

Who knew sharing a coffee could be so intimate?

I spend the day working on my dissertation. James returns home around four o’clock. His voice floats from the hallway up the stairs.

‘Matteo, make it special. I want to spoil her,’ he says.

Excitement zings up my spine.

I have no idea who Matteo is but if it’s me he wants to spoil, I am here for it. Here for a good time, not for a long time. Avery’s carefree attitude might finally be rubbing off on me.

I fling open the walk-in wardrobe, musing over my killer collection of dresses, before settling on an Alexander McQueen bow-embellished midi in a shade of ice blue. Martha, from the boutique, swore it emphasised my eyes. Given the slit up the left side that ends almost indecently, I’m pretty sure James isn't going to be interested in my eyes.

I have no idea where we’re going, but given we’re supposed to be putting on a convincing show of our whirlwind romance, I’m guessing it’ll be somewhere very public.

I’m adding the finishing touches to my makeup when my phone pings.

Avery.

Drinks for your birthday next weekend? Dying to hear how it’s going with Ireland's most eligible billionaire.

I bet she is.

I don’t normally celebrate my birthday. It’s never been the same since my mother passed, but Avery always insists we mark it.

Can we do lunch instead? We have a charity ball next weekend.

Three dots appear instantly.

Lunch it is then, Cinderella! A ball sounds fancy! Remember, if you lose your shoe at midnight, you're drunk. The real question is, will you lose your panties?

An evil laugh splutters from my chest.

Who says I haven't already?

DETAILS!!!

Soon.

I’m ALL for kinky fun with the billionaire, but be careful, babes! Whatever you do, don’t fall in love with him. A man like that will break your heart as fast as look at you. He’s sohot he’s on fire.

I know better than anyone what happens when you play with fire. You get burnt. Yet I can’t seem to stay away. I force away the negativity threatening like a black cloud over my head. I’m going out with my fake boyfriend with benefits, and I’m determined to enjoy it.

Chapter Thirty-Two

SCARLETT

A knock sounds at my door. I slide on a pair of Jimmy Choo silver patent stilettos and strut across the room to answer it. James is standing outside, wearing a navy tailored suit paired with a crisp, white slim-fitting shirt which clings to his torso and leaves nothing to the imagination.

A flashback of yesterday in the jacuzzi sets a hundred hummingbirds fluttering in my chest.

'You look positively edible.' He presses a tender kiss to my cheek and steps backwards into the hallway. 'Are you ready?'

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