Page 39 of The Attraction

Plus, we managed to have one night of sex and can still stand to be around each other without the world exploding, so let’s not risk a second night and ruin it all. Well, at least I think that is the case. We will find out shortly after I shower and head out for breakfast.

Please don’t let me be wrong about this.

But the moment our eyes meet in the kitchen, I discover I’m in trouble, and judging by the smile creeping up his face, he knows it.

Tingles release, and my heart thumps harder.

Damn, it’s the wrong kind of explosion between us that I was worrying about.

Oh boy, how the hell do I get out of this?

ChapterNine

HARPER

“Good morning.” I continue to where Forrest is standing, dressed and ready to leave.

There is something about a man in a suit and tie. Especially when the suit is tailored to fit him perfectly. Hugs his body at the waist just like it should, which accentuates the broad shoulders, and if I’m lucky and get to see him without the jacket on, the bulging biceps in a business shirt and the tight ass in the perfectly fitted pants is worth waiting for. Drool worthy.

“Good morning, how did you sleep?” he asks as he pushes my coffee toward me, along with a plate with a piece of toast with avocado, chopped tomatoes, and a slice of smoked salmon on the side.

“Not sure I can ever look at an avocado the same way again.” We both laugh as I take a seat at the counter and take a sip of my coffee. “Slept great. Thanks for making my bed for me, or do you have a housekeeper that comes in? I forgot to ask.” I take the first bite of my breakfast, and while I’m chewing away, he just watches me and drinks his coffee.

“I usually have a housekeeper, but I gave him a paid holiday while you are here. I didn’t want you to feel uncomfortable.” He moves from where he was leaning on the cupboard and pulls the door of the dishwasher open to put his empty cup in.

“You have a male housekeeper?” It slips out before I realize how bad that must have sounded.

“Yes, what’s wrong with that? Graham is great. I’ve had him for five years. He used to work at one of the hotels but got old enough that he needed to slow down. So, I offered him the job here, and it’s perfect for him. Nothing too hard, a few hours a day, and I pay him well. I trust him and don’t have to worry.” Forrest is trying to explain his decision.

“Oh, nothing wrong at all. I think it’s great and love when I see people breaking the molds in jobs. Look at Felisha, the number of times people said she couldn’t do this, and now she is proving to every one of those old farts, who were ready to tear her down, how wrong they are.”

“Before I knew her properly, I still knew she would be a kickass CEO. She was born to do it. Regardless of her awful upbringing by her asshole father. Just goes to show that you can push through trauma that has come from parents. I mean, look at you, tackling this head-on, even though it is bringing up some past hurt, I’m sure.” Forrest is talking while he wipes down the kitchen countertops, not even looking at me.

If only he knew what I mess I am on the inside. I totally have daddy issues, compounded with the fear of letting anyone get close to me, and let’s not forget the problem I have with anyone trying to hug me. I’m so fucked up it’s not even funny, but I have managed to hide that for years, until this brought it all back up again.

“Yeah, but I’m not letting it get to me. It’s all in the past, and as soon as we deal with this guy, I won’t even think twice about it again,” I say, trying to bluff my way through it, and take the last mouthful of my breakfast so I don’t have to talk anymore.

I stand to clear my plate, but Forrest is right beside me. “I’ll take that. You grab your things, and we can get going down to the cars. Another busy day I’m sure for both of us.”

Thanking him, I brush my teeth, and we are out the door. It’s not until I’m halfway to work driving in my car that I realize neither of us said one thing about the other night, and it’s like it never happened.

Maybe it’s for the best. Just pretend that I didn’t get fucked within an inch of my life.

Yeah, like I’ll ever forget that.

FORREST

“The castle hotel in Scotland is the last one we need to talk about. The profits are continuing to rise, and if my projections stay on track, we will be ready to do the addition by spring of next year, for the dedicated function center on the grounds. It will expand the ability to hold bigger functions.” I look across the table at Nic who is scanning the reports for this one, and I can see he is happy. He purchased this hotel so he could buy his wife a castle. Over the top, but it has brought them both joy, and luckily, it has also been a valuable addition to the portfolio.

“Perfect. Flynn, can you start the process, please?” Nic looks to my brother who is his right-hand man and our logistics person. I look after the money, Rem is our IT/tech person, as well as head of security, just keeping us all safe in all the ways. But to be honest, Flynn has a big workload across a broad range of jobs. And Nic, of course, is the decisions man. That privilege comes with being the boss.

“On it.” He notes it down on his laptop and then looks up at us all. “Are we done?” We all nod, which means the meeting is over and we can get out of the office for the day.

“Who’s up for a quick drink before heading home?” Nic asks as he stands and collects his things off the table.

Looking down at my phone, I haven’t had any messages from Harper yet, so she must still be working.

“Do you know what the girls are up to?” I ask Flynn, wondering if he has heard from Felisha.

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