Page 74 of Broken Bonds

I won’t miss the chance to surround myself with positive energy and courageous women, this is the perfect opportunity. Also…

“I’d like to discuss it with Lionel first, you know, for security and all.” I do want to, but I don’t want to forget everything else. “But I don’t think there’s going to be any problem.”

The gears in my head have started, I’m already making a plan. One that seems really good to me.

We don’t even have time to eat between appointments. After discussing potential looks with the hairdresser, Alexandra leaves. Life doesn’t stop and she has clients to attend to. It’s after four in the afternoon when I finish at the hair salon. Lionel is probably taking advantage that I’m not home to continue working in his office, so when the man who usually drives Lionel around is waiting for me at the curb, I don’t hesitate to ask him for anything.

“Could you take me to my husband’s office, please?”

“Of course, Mrs. Kral,” he replies as he looks at me in the rearview mirror for a couple of seconds.

Just over an hour later we are entering a fairly modern and beautiful four-story building. It has Lionel’s flair etched into every corner, from the bright blue glass covering the façade to the gray marble floor that adorns the entrance.

“Mrs. Kral is here to see Mr. Kral,” my security detail tells the guard next to the access point. The people around me stare like I were a fairy or something. Everyone seems taken aback by the surprise wedding. I, on the other hand, am in awe of my husband’s workplace.

After a short elevator ride, we reached the floor where Lionel’s office is located.

“Mrs. Kral,” Hadley greets me as soon as she sees me. “We weren’t expecting you, Mr. Kral is on a call with some investors. I’ll let him know you are here.”

She looks quite puzzled by my presence. Or maybe it’s my appearance. Anyway, I’m not interested. I didn’t come to see her.

“Don’t worry, Hadley,” I say, taking my phone in my hands. “I’ll tell him myself.”

Without delay, I send a text message to Lionel. He immediately answers telling me to go see him. Hadley shows me a set of dark wood double doors down the hall.

As Hadley said, he’s on a call, as he continues to talk to two people on speaker phone, but all his attention is on me. His eyes light up when he sees me. This has been a good surprise. His eyes don’t lie.

The lion is on his throne, commanding his jungle of concrete and steel.

Lionel is sitting at his desk, so that’s where I’m headed. He has removed his jacket and has the sleeves of his shirt rolled up to his elbows. He has removed his tie as well, so that triangle of skin under his throat is in plain view and I want to put my lips on it. As soon as I’m within his reach, he takes my hand to settle me into his lap. Immediately he buries his face in my neck, filling his lungs with my perfume, then his lips caress me from top to bottom making my skin stand on end.

“Do you want us to go ahead with the auction proposal?” A man’s voice from the other end of the line fills the silence. “We have everything ready to proceed as soon as you give us the green light.”

Lionel smiles, the feline is about to devour its prey. Surely this is going to be a very good business deal.

“Several acres in Calabasas in a prime location,” he responds in a firm voice as his hand climbs up my white linen skirt. Hearing him speak like that awakens the butterflies that lately live in my stomach. “I know what they are offering me, but to continue working with their agency, I need to make sure they’re taking care of my money. For this to be profitable, we have to stick to a budget.”

The man talking to Lionel clears his throat before speaking again. “Our experience allows us to offer you the best service, you can rest easy, Mr. Kral.”

“Very good,” adds Lionel. “I hope to receive news tomorrow before the end of the day. On Monday I can send a surveying team to carry out work while we adjust the deeds and other legal issues.”

“Consider it done.”

Lionel ends the call without much ceremony. His hands take me by the waist to get up. He runs his eyes over me from head to toe and as he does this my heart speeds up.

His actions have the potential to escalate into more.

“How many houses are you going to build this time?” I ask him, showing interest in his work. I value his business as much as he does my own.

“Enough for my wife to buy many dresses like this.” And a soft kiss falls on my lips.

“I appreciate the interest, Mr. Kral. But I’m also proud to inform you that this has been purchased with my own money. I’m not a princess looking for her Prince Charming.”

“I’m glad, because I’m certainly not a prince, I’m the fucking king.”

“So modest, Mr. Kral,” I rebuke him and we both laugh.

“You look amazing,” he compliments me, a smile tugging at his sexy lips, his hand on mine, lacing our fingers together. A combination of pride and understanding shines in his dark eyes.

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