Page 38 of The Bossy Billionaire

“So you are close to your parents?” Her eyes look into mine like they are magnets.

“Very close. I also have a brother, Hudson, who is an orthopedic surgeon in LA, so I don’t get to see him a lot, but we are close. He has a son, Harvey, whom I love spending time with too.” I have thought about seeing if she wants a second opinion on her leg. My brother is one of the best in the country. If he can’t help her, no one can.

She swallows and nods, turning back to the window.

The car turns down my long driveway, the grass greener here, and I look out the window at the cattle and horses, seeing a few of our team working on the fencing, all looking up and waving as we continue on to the main house.

“Wow…” she says as my house comes into view. I try to look at it through her eyes. It is a large two-story made of stone and timber. The driveway is paved the entire way. The windows are large, and it has big trees running the perimeter for complete privacy. I have a helipad to the side, my sleek black chopper ready to go on the landing pad. It is my usual means of transport from the airport, but since it was Lucy’s first time in an airplane, I didn’t want to push her to then jump in my chopper to come here. Henry and my car seemed like a better option. The house is in complete contrast to her cozy apartment, but it is secure, which is what we need for her right now.

The car pulls up, and I jump out quickly, needing the country air in my lungs. My shoulders lower instantly, and when I feel her step out after me, her hand finding mine, I open my eyes and wrap my arm around her waist and pull her in tight. This. This is what I've been missing. I can almost feel my body click back into place. The world around me rightens. Stress leaves my body. It is quiet, relaxed, and having Lucy safe with me, it all feels better than it ever has.

“Well, nice to see you, darling.” My mother’s voice sounds from behind me, and I turn to see her and my dad walking down the steps from my front door. I had them come over this morning to ensure everything was ready for Lucy and me.

“Hey, Mom.” I step toward her and hug her tight.

“Hi, son. Good to see you,” she says before pulling away, and I shake my dad’s hand. My dad is more traditional. Tall and broad like me, a man of the land. He is tough, doesn’t show his feelings, and very rarely smiles.

“You must be Lucy?” my mom says, looking at Lucy, who is smiling so brightly that she competes with the sun.

“Hi, Ms. Hamilton, so nice to meet you,” she says, pushing at her glasses as my mom beams at her.

“Oh, aren’t you beautiful. Huxley, you didn’t tell me your girlfriend was so beautiful,” Mom says, her eyes alight at me bringing a girl home. She then steps forward and encases Lucy into a big hug, engulfing her, and I see Lucy’s eyebrows raise a little in surprise. I don’t know what Lucy and I are, but I don’t correct my mother’s assumption that she is my girlfriend. In fact, I really like the idea of making her mine permanently. Lucy goes a light shade of pink on her cheeks, though, which I find increasingly adorable.

“Please call me Susan. And this is Doug,” she says, introducing my dad as I stand back at Lucy’s side, taking her hand in mine.

“Hi, Mr. err, ahhh, Doug?” she says, and my dad actually smiles. His grin is small, but it is there. Yeah, she makes grown men weak. It is her superpower, and she doesn’t even know it.

“Nice to meet you, Lucy, welcome to our part of the world,” my father says, shaking her hand, and I look at Lucy whose smile is ear to ear. She is fucking cute.

“We are going to head home and let you get settled. Everything you wanted is inside. Come over for dinner later. I’ve put on a pot roast,” Mom says, and I nod. Mom always makes a pot roast the day I arrive back home. It has become our tradition.

“See you later, Lucy,” she says, and we watch them climb into their little 4WD buggy and take off down the road, making a sharp left to take them to their house that sits proudly on the hill overlooking the property.

“Wow, they are nice,” Lucy says, and I wrap my arm around her waist and bring her in tight.

“How are you feeling?” I ask her, my lips landing on her forehead, concerned that this is all a little bit too much for her today.

“Stop worrying about me, Huxley. I am fine,” she says, slapping my chest.

“Now who is being bossy?” I smirk at her as we walk up the stairs. We take the steps together, and I push open the large double timber doors, opening up my home to her.

“Welcome to the ranch,” I say, stepping inside the large foyer which is encased in natural light.

“Wow. This is not what I was expecting.”

“What were you expecting?” I am intrigued by her thoughts as she looks around.

“I don’t know. Maybe something a little less…” she trails off.

“Less what?” I push as we walk through.

“Just less. This is amazing. All new and polished, yet completely charming.” She sounds surprised.

“The two can work together well,” I say to her, thinking about her store. She likes the charm, the originality, and that is one reason she hasn’t upgraded it.

“I can see that,” she says slowly before she breaks out in a yawn.

“Why don’t I take you up to my room? You can sleep for a bit. This day has already been exhausting.” Taking her hand in mine, I lead her up the wide staircase.

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