Page 23 of False Start

“Breakfast in bed again?” I asked.

“Damn straight,” he confirmed with a wink. “Gotta keep my woman happy now that you agreed to live with me.”

Piling the pillows behind my back so that I could sit up, I quirked my brow with a grin. “I’m not sure that I agreed so much as went along with the plans that you and my mom already made for me.”

“Which is why I’m going to do my best to make sure you never regret your decision,” he quipped as he bent to set the tray on the mattress next to me.

“I’ll let you in on a secret.” I leaned forward to brush a kiss against his cheek before he moved my mug of coffee to the bedside table. “Keep the mind-blowing orgasms coming, and you won’t have to worry about a thing.”

“No worries there, baby. Stuff like breakfast in bed is just an added perk to living with me. Screaming my name while I make you come is the real advantage.”

“So cocky,” I murmured before popping a ripe berry into my mouth.

“Which is exactly how you like me,” he retorted, reaching over to grab one of the plates with an omelet.

“I have to admit that I’m a big fan of your cock…iness.”

He chuckled. “And I’m a big fan of your sassiness, baby.”

“That’s a good thing because I came by it naturally,” I teased before taking a bite of my omelet.

“Having met your mom, I’m sure you did.”

I giggled so hard that I almost choked on my food. Ames patted my back until I could breathe again, and our conversation died down so we could concentrate on finishing our breakfast. After we finished, we cuddled until it was time for me to prepare for my interview.

Having been pampered on a tropical island for the past several days, I practically glowed with good health. Although that might also have been due to all of the fantastic orgasms.

Either way, I looked better than I ever had in my navy-blue suit and white blouse as I walked into the conference room the receptionist had guided me toward. I’d thought I would meet with someone from human resources, but Justice Kendall also waited for me.

All of my hard work over the past four years seemed to have paid off. Sitting across from a founding partner of one of the most respected investment firms in the country for a second interview was a dream come true. Especially since Janet—the woman from human resources—had a stack of papers in front of her that looked an awful lot like the documentation new hires had to complete before they started work.

Mr. Kendall dipped his head in greeting. “Thanks for coming in again under short notice, Dakota.”

“It’s my pleasure.” I smiled at them both. “As I mentioned in my first interview, K-Corp is at the top of my list for prospective employers.”

“That’s good because I was quite impressed with how you handled your interview.” Mr. Kendall steepled his hands. “Your achievements at Wharton say a lot about your intelligence and work ethic, but your ability to keep your cool while interviewing with me was what stood out the most. Most recent graduates get flustered when they’re face-to-face with the CEO of a firm like ours.”

Janet laughed softly and shook her head. “Which is why he likes to ambush potential new hires like that. Trial by fire.”

“Our business isn’t for the weak of heart. We have clients whose portfolios put mine to shame and advising them on their investments requires as much confidence as it does brains,” Mr. Kendall explained.

I nodded. “I have no doubt that I’m up to the task, sir.”

“I hope you’re right because I’d like to fast-track you in our client management program.”

My breath caught in my lungs. Not only had I been offered a job at K-Corp, but it was even better than the one I’d been interviewing for. “That sounds like an amazing opportunity.”

“But it comes with a catch. Can you leave for London by the end of the week?” he asked.

My eyes widened, and Julie added, “We have a six-week training program starting on Monday that we’d like you to join.”

“In London?” I echoed softly, my brows drawing together as I tried to wrap my head around their offer.

She nodded. “Yes, it’s the best training we offer and at a much faster pace than what you’d get here. You should be ready to take on clients of your own when you return to New York.”

“Wow,” I breathed, stunned by their confidence in me. And the prospect of traveling all the way to Europe for a job. Six weeks wasn’t long in the grand scheme of things, but my relationship with Ames was so new. I wasn’t sure if we could survive the time apart, having only known each other for two weeks. I felt torn between my dreams for my career and the one building in my head about a future with Ames—and the family we could have.

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