Page 26 of The Bossy Billionaire

“What happened? The country's biggest playboy couldn’t get a girl?” Eddie teases.

“Fuck you,” I murmur, angry at myself, not Eddie.

“I’m teasing. What’s up your ass?” Eddie changes his tune, calling a truce.

“I haven’t been with a woman in months.” The words fall from my mouth without thought as I scrub my face with my hand.

“Why? Because of Amy?” Eddie asks cautiously.

“Fuck no. Amy is gone. Out. Not even in my memory bank.” Although the pain is still there a little. But as I think about the question, I come to the realization that I haven’t been with a woman since I met Lucy. That thought is startling.

“I haven’t been with a woman since I started working with Lucy,” I warily say, telling him the truth. I’m fucked.

“Fuck, don’t even go there,” he warns.

“Eddie…” I remain firm.

“Stop. She is my fucking sister. Harrison will kill you. He won't be president of this country because he will be behind bars for your murder.” I remain quiet, not sure what I can say at this point.

Maybe I need to go home for a while. To the small town of Whispers where I grew up. See Mom and Dad. Take some time away for a bit and find my balls. I went back after Amy left and licked my wounds a little. Since then, I have buried myself in work and women and only manage to get back there a few times a year. It has been a while since I last went back to my small town and just recalibrated.

“Maybe you shouldn’t be her business coach anymore…” Eddie adds, and I am disappointed he doesn’t give me the green light.

“No. I’ll be professional. I can keep everything aboveboard,” I reiterate. Harrison asked me to do a job, and I will do it. I’ve never let him down before.

“Okay. Well, we trust you.” I drop my head into my hands.

“I know.” Ending the call, I toss my cell on the desk.

I run my hand through my hair and pull at it, willing my brain to get into some sort of order, but all I can see is Lucy’s face, her lips, and I close my eyes, remembering her floral smell, the way her body felt under my hands.

“Shit,” I say out loud and grab my cell, shooting a text to my brother, Hudson. I’m going to go to Whispers, and I know he and my nephew Harvey need a break as well. Whispers is exactly what we all need. I toss my cell back on my desk and sink into my chair.

Visions of Amy appear in my mind. How carefree she was, how she used to look at me, how I thought she was the one. My mind was so made up that I didn’t see any other option. I just went in like a charging bull, but even though I had a rock on her finger, she was never mine. She walked away from me so easily, she never could have been. She broke my heart. Made a fool out of me. Left me without so much as a goodbye.

I never want to feel like that again. So Lucy Bloomer will stay just business. Just like her brothers want.

CHAPTER SIXTEEN - LUCY

It’s dark and raining, the late fall weather now creeping in more and more. Winter and the snow will be here before I know it. I place the last book on the shelf and walk to the children’s area, sinking into my large armchair, exhausted.

Rubbing my thigh, I grimace. It is sore today. It has been ever since the gala. Since that night.

When Huxley left me standing in my living room over a week ago, it took me a while to come back to reality. By the time I locked up and crawled into bed, my mind was working overtime. I touch my lips even now remembering our scorching kiss, and every day since all I have wanted is to do it again and again. But he hasn’t called. Hasn’t visited. I have received a few emails, all business related, but it is almost like he is ignoring me.

Perhaps I should have known better. I know who he is. It is written over every social media post from that night. Playboy bags another one. Huxley Hamilton finally gets a Rothschild. The next morning, there was a photo of the two of us on the red carpet in the Society News. It was a beautiful shot. Him standing slightly behind me, his hand around my back, looking down at me. With me gazing up at him, the two of us look completely lovestruck. No wonder the media had a field day. Was it all for show for him? Another step up in his profile perhaps?

I try to move a little to get more comfortable. I have been missing my physio appointments these past few weeks. Between the work that needs to be done here and the bills that need to be paid, it is just easier to skip a few. Although right now, my leg doesn’t think so. I adjust again as my cell rings in my pocket and I pull it out.

Huxley.

I stare at his name on the screen, wondering if I should answer. My heart races and my breathing quickens. The feelings I had with him in my apartment that night starts to build again the minute I see his name. I am not sure what he is thinking or how he feels, but I can’t ignore him. He is a good business coach, and I am an adult. I will push aside any feelings I thought I had and focus on the business.

“Hey, Huxley,” I say, trying to be light and breezy and not affected by him at all.

“Hey, Lucy. What’s happening?” He sounds perfectly normal as well. Maybe we are just going to ignore the fact that we kissed, even though it was the best kiss of my life.

“Just finishing up for the night,” I tell him as I lean my head back in the chair and snuggle in, needing the protective feel of my armchair.

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