Page 187 of By His Rule

I smile up at him, refusing to be intimidated.

“Just wait until you see your hotel room.”

44

KIAN

Refusing to be blindsided again, the moment Lorelei excused herself to use the bathroom, I called the hotel and fixed our room situation.

Just like she’d taunted, she’d booked me into a basic twin room.

I’ll never admit it to her face, but her audacity amuses the hell out of me. I’m not sure there’s anyone else on the planet who would dare test me like that. Okay, yeah, my siblings would. They’d get a massive fucking kick out of it, too.

Conversation between us remains focused on work, despite my desire to return to our little texting session last night.

We’re away for three days. Something tells me that it’ll come up.

I didn’t need to bring Lorelei to an airport to know that she was not a seasoned traveler. But seeing her wide-eyed expression as we walked into the lounge...I guess it’s easy for this life to become normal.

Hell, it is normal for me. I don’t ever remember traveling any differently.

Maybe she’s right. Maybe I am nothing but a wealthy, entitled asshole.

I smile. Yeah, I’m definitely that. But there’s more if you care to look a little deeper under the surface.

“Are you going to share the reason we’re going to Charleston, or is it something I have to guess?” Lorelei asks when she returns to her seat.

“We’re going to meet with the management team at The Regency. They’ve had issues with staff retention recently and their accounts are looking…interesting.”

She studies me, and I wait with bated breath for her response.

“And that’s a job that requires the CFO’s involvement?”

I hold my head high, both annoyed and impressed that she’s seen straight through me.

“Normally, no. But I haven’t traveled this year like I usually would, and it’s time to make my presence known, especially at some of our locations that are struggling. I believe it’s important to remind the management teams that despite being miles away, we are watching.”

“I see.”

“If you have something to say, Lorelei. Please, just say it.”

She silently fumes, her head spinning with whatever it is that’s bothering her.

It would be easy to think it’s the photo that’s still burning up my cellphone.

Sending me a picture of her tits by accident probably is a big deal, but she’s strong enough to deal with that.

“How’s Tia?” she suddenly blurts.

I frown.

“Ti—oh. Tia Halliwell. She’s…fine, I believe. Do you know her?”

“Nope. But it seems you know her well.”

I haven’t been on social media for days, but I’m not stupid. I’m more than aware that there’s probably a photograph of us together on Saturday night. Tia loves the spotlight. She’ll make the most of any opportunity to turn the attention on her.

It seems that little bit of attention may just have passed by Lorelei’s radar.

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