Page 108 of The Grand Duel

I dip my head as my blush fully sets my body on fire. No amount of makeup could hide this level of heat.

He sits back a little, giving me space as he lifts his glass. “Seems you’ve rendered me stupid this evening, Miss Lissie. Anything you’d like to toast?”

I lift my eyes only, twisting my lips.

So forward. He’s been warming to me more and more as the days pass. I’m starting to wonder whether all the bad bits I once saw in him were just poor judgement or a guard he put up to keep me away.

If only I knew why.

“How about to beautiful people?” I hold up my glass, letting my gaze drop down his lounged form.

Because he is beautiful. He might be the most beautiful man I’ve ever met.

“You,” he says, nodding. He clinks his glass with mine. “To you.”

“To you,” I say, maybe a little too gently.

We sip our champagne, gazes locked in some sort of silent need. It’s me who relents first and looks away. “The meeting and panels this afternoon, they went well?”

“Very well.” He clears his throat. “I’ve been wanting to catch Gabe Fishers for years now.”

“Good,” I say, feeling proud for setting it up for him.

“How was your day?” he asks.

“Terribly lazy,” I admit with a slow smile. “Once I showered and unpacked, I had no idea what to do. I caught up on emails and tried to work on the two cases I brought along, but I was sat out here in the sun and ended up drifting off to sleep.”

I also tried calling my sister, but she never answered, and I’ve still not heard anything, which is unlike her. Unless she’s picked up an extra shift and not told me.

“What cases?”

“Temple and Renswrath. You have a meeting with Jimmy on?—”

“No working,” he says, cutting me off. “Not here. This is time for you to catch up. Recharge.”

I frown and shake my head. “No, it’s for you to rest and recharge. I don’t need to.”

“That wasn’t a request, Lissie. I’m telling you. To be at your best, you need to be well rested. No working on cases or checking emails. It’s two days. Less than that now.”

I frown. “You’re still working.”

“I’m the boss.” He shrugs, his mouth turning up on one side. “I get to do whatever I want.” He takes another sip of the champagne.

“And I’m your assistant. Employed specifically to make your life easier and ensure balance.”

“Then make it easier and listen to me.”

I snap my mouth closed, completely stumped for a change.

He smirks at me.

Smirks.

“I’m technically in charge of your whole life since you employed me.”

He chuckles. “I don’t think that’s how the contract was worded, but I’ll humour you.”

I roll my eyes and smile. “Humour me.Please. You love it.”