Page 14 of Filthy Mouth
“Let her go. She needs to get back to work,” Father said, but this time he seemed uncomfortable.
When I studied him, I knew he was trying to hide something.
How did he know someone like Benedict?
What was this meeting all about? He was a retired politician who dabbled in small projects, real estate and minor investments.
“Work,” Benedict said, drawing my attention to him.
I knew what kind of work he thought I did. I dragged my tongue across my upper lip until I thought he would crush the menu he held.
“Yes, a woman has to work in this economy. It was nice meeting you, Mr—” I said, waiting for his real name.
His eyes narrowed on me, from suspicion to realisation that I’m not a lady of the night.
“Lancaster.”
I smiled smugly and turned to leave. There wasn't a doubt in my mind that I would be seeing Benedict Lancaster. His reaction told me he thought we had unfinished business. He would be disappointed to know that I was not who he thought I was. That night was a one-off indulgence.
??????
My office was my second home, and being at work always made me feel closer to my mum. Iona Blythe built this company from scratch, and I caught it just in time. Between university and working here part-time, I’d gained enough experience to skip a few steps before eventually reaching the executive level.
The company and the position were mine, but I chose to work to learn because that is what my mother did. Isaac and Delphina almost dragged it under from mismanagement and embezzlement.
Since the epic face-fuck night, I’d moved into my own apartment, leaving my family home. It didn't matter how many heart attacks or stroke scares my father’d had, I wasn't going back this time.
If it weren't for the inheritance terms, they would’ve tried to kill me long ago. If I died without an heir, the Winborne estate would be handed down to my second cousin, Thomas.
They were getting desperate.
In what fucking universe would I ever marry Edmund Milland?
And what—produce an heir so they could live in luxury.
I’d rather pass everything on to Thomas.
Hmm. Now that was a viable option. Iona Designs wasn't part of the estate.
With a sigh, I switched off my computer, waited until my monitor went blank, and gathered my jacket, handbag, and phone. I wished I could be a carefree twenty-five-year-old, but I felt twice my age.
I couldn't help but smile at the thought of Benedict Lancaster. He was the most outrageous risk I’d taken in my life. The thought of how he’d taken my mouth made me squirm.
My life was far too messy right now for me to consider any man. I could understand why people kept friends with benefits arrangements.
It sucked being alone all the time.
??????
It wasn’t until I was in bed that night that I finally caved and searched for more information on the twice-divorced Mr Lancaster. He was a successful property developer, and I wondered why my father was meeting with a billionaire when, according to him, they were struggling. He was a pauper in comparison to Lancaster. I turned on my sleep meditation app.
There was no point in dwelling on either man.
Chapter 7
Benedict
I checked the bar before walking around, but he wasn't there.
