Page 44 of Forbidden Billionaires: Vol. 8
The smell of bacon changed my mind.
I sat up as Tanner put a tray on my lap. It was piled high with all the best breakfast foods. Waffles. Eggs. Hash browns. Bacon.
“I wasn’t sure if you wanted coffee, guava juice, goat’s milk, or sparkling water,” said Tanner, pointing to the four glasses on the tray.
Damn, he even brought beverage options?They were strange options, but I still appreciated it. I had totally hit the man-jackpot. “I actually don’t mind having all four.”Why did I just say that? I’m not going to drink a random goat’s milk for breakfast.
“Well then, you’re all set.” He grabbed his own tray off one of those fancy little room service carts and hopped back into bed with me.
We ate in silence for a bit. After last night, I was absolutely famished. And I’d never tasted such fluffy eggs before. I had no idea if Tanner had made everything or Nigel had…but I didn’t really care. I just wanted this breakfast every single day of my life. But maybe I needed to tell him I was an orange juice sorta gal.
“Last night was incredible,” he said after he’d polished off half his waffle.
“You’re incredible,” I replied.Especially with your tongue.
He brushed his hand through my hair. “Are you sure you have to go to work today?”
Oh shit.I’d been so caught up in everything that I’d totally forgotten that it was Monday morning. “What time is it?”
“A little past noon.”
“WHAT?!”
Tanner laughed. “No, it’s 7. Come on…that was too easy. You can even see the sun rising.” He pointed out the huge window at the sun rising over Midtown Manhattan. For a second I wondered what had happened to the glass ceiling, but then I remembered that we’d ended up in one of his spare bedrooms thanks to me soaking the sheets in the master bedroom.Gross.I really needed to talk to Chastity about that. But first I had to retaliate to Tanner giving me a mini heart attack.
I punched his arm. “Dude, not cool. I woke up like two minutes ago.”
He rubbed his arm to pretend like I’d actually hurt him. “Why do you care what time it is?”
“Uh…because I have work.”
“Do you?” he asked with a laugh. “Because I’m pretty sure you’re gonna get fired. You do remember that Dr. Lyons and I beat up your boss, right? And trashed the whole office? And then you and Chastity turned the conference room into Guantanamo Bay?”
“Ugh. You really think I’m gonna get fired?”
“Absolutely. But that’s fine. That means you can focus on breaking this curse. You did promise me that it would only take a week…”
“It’s definitelynotfine if I get fired. I have rent to pay. And unlike you, I haven’t had 300 years to amass a fortune.”
“You can live here,” said Tanner, gesturing to the huge guestroom. “And I’ll pay off your lease. There, problem solved.”
For real?I was so tempted to say yes. But after my breakup with Joe, I’d promised myself that I’d never rely on a man again. Tanner could disappear at any moment - as he’d shown time and time again - and I’d be left with nothing. No apartment, no job, no boyfriend. Joe had already done that to me. And I was no fool. “Thanks,” I said. “But I really like my job. Well, except for my awful boss. And I know my apartment isn’t nearly as nice as this, but it’s still my home.”
“Suit yourself,” said Tanner.
Shit! Why did I just turn that down?“But if I get fired, then my answer is definitely yes.”
“Perfect. I’ll have Nigel run out to get you a toothbrush. Nigel!” he yelled.
“No!” I yelled back. “Stay away, Nigel!” I yanked the sheets up around my naked body and turned to Tanner. “You can’t go summoning your houseboy when I’m sitting here naked.” Then something hit me.Shit!“What am I going to wear to work? I’m pretty sure you tore my skirt in half last night.”
“I was thinking you could go like that.” He pulled the sheets down to expose my body.
“What?! First you want your houseboy to see me naked, and now you want my whole office to see me too?”
He laughed. “I don’t love that idea, no. But you said you’d move in with me if you got fired, so…”
I pulled the sheets back up. “Seriously, I need to get home immediately so I can find some clothes. Unless you happen to have a skirt and blouse lying around.”
