Page 135 of The Grand Duel

I wet my lips and chuckle, resting my arms on my knees.Shit. “I took my assistant away with me.”

“Shut up!”

“Don’t be like them,” I say, referring to the other girls.

“Charlie.”

“I told you because you’re not an idiot, Scarlet.”

She puts her hand on her chest. “Are you serious? You expect me to not react?”

“I expect you to be an adult. I know what the girls would be like if they knew.”

I can feel her eyes glued on me. “What happened? What’s her name again?”

I twist my head to look at her, my gut growing a little tighter. “Lissie,” I tell her.

“Lissie,” she repeats. “Tell me things. What’s she like?”

“Stubborn,” I say instantly. “She drives me wild.”

Scarlet’s eyes light up. “Charles, this is huge.”

“I don’t know. We had a bit of a thing when we were away.”

“A bit of a thing?”

I lock my jaw, my gaze refocused on the lake. “Well, I did things with her.” Scarlet goes utterly silent at my side. “It was fucked up because I wanted it to happen, and I don’t regret a second of it, but it’s so far from what I know, you know.” I shake my head and look towards her, not expecting her to have answers. “I messed it up a bit after.”

Scarlet’s eyes are shining.

“What’s wrong?”

She shakes her head. “Nothing. I’m just very emotional, and…you shocked me.”

“I shocked myself.” And then I rejected her. I don’t think I can share that with Scarlet. As much as I want to, maybe even need to, I don’t think my pride can quite handle reliving it for a second time.

She knocks my shoulder, and then drops her head to it. “I like her.”

“You like her?”

“Lissie,” she confirms.

“You’ve never met her.”

“No, but I’ve known you for over fifteen years and never once have you mentioned another woman’s name.” She squeezes my side. “You feel different, Charles. I don’t know how to explain it, but you feel a little more whole than the last time I saw you.”

“You’ve been breathing in too much country air. I promise you this can only end terribly.”

“Why would it?”

“She’s my employee. Eleven years younger than me and fucking beautiful beyond anything I’ve ever—” I catch myself, cutting myself short. “Don’t say anything,” I warn.

I can tell she’s smiling. “You said something before.” She looks up at me, eyes brighter now but still heavy from a day at the hospital. “You said she drives you wild.”

“She does.”

Her lips quirk, her face growing wistful as if she’s lost in a memory. “Let her.” She stands and holds out her hand for me.