Page 79 of Billion Dollar Revenge

She blinks at me, pausing mid-task.

“What?” I stiffen, wondering if I said something wrong.

Her face softens and her lips twist up. “You’ve been a nice surprise and someone I didn't know I needed, but I'm very grateful you’re in my life.”

It’s exactly how I feel about her.

“Likewise,” I agree, feeling the weight of our admissions.

She turns and moves toward the toaster, and I shake my head, returning to serving up our food. I try not to get too lost in her, but everything about her distracts me.

We sit at the table beside each other. Neither one of us wants to be apart, even if we don’t say it.

Grabbing the ketchup, she drowns her eggs in it.

My face scrunches up at her food on her plate. “I don't think there are eggs left.”

“Don’t knock it until you try it.” She shifts her egg-sauce combo to my lips.

I shake my head, my response fast and firm. “I'll pass.”

“Your loss.” She shrugs and dives into her food.

I stare at her, loving how much she eats. Not self-conscious at all. But I guess she needs it to fuel her body. Especially prior to that awful, torturous class that she calls Pilates.

“I'm surprised your phone isn’t constantly ringing.” Her words pull my gaze up to her face, wondering where that came from.

“I switched it off.”

“He switches it off,” she mumbles under her breath. Not missing the way her eyes narrow to her plate.

“When I’m with you, I don’t want anyone to distract me. I want you all to myself,” I reply boldly, lowering my silverware and sitting back in my chair and watching as her head lifts.

Her eyes find mine, and I find them glassy.

“Work is not a priority,” I add, leaning my arms on the table so I’m closer to her, knowing she needs to hear it.

“It's not a priority,” she repeats, nodding to herself.

She’s thinking about Bobby. We’re two different people. Because when she’s with me, I don't want to be consumed by work. I've built my business where it should run efficiently. I hired the best staff I could find. Hence why I would love to get rid of Bobby, but unfair dismissal won’t let me do it.

If I want to be with her, I can be with her. I've given up so much for work. It was my choice. And now, it’s like I am ready. Healed and open to a relationship. It’s all thanks to the strong friendship we built first and how we grew from there. I never thought I'd be here, so yes, she deserves my undivided attention. It’s a simple but important thing for her.

“You ready to drop me off at home? I need to get ready for work.”

I lean in close to her soft, delicate skin, enjoying the mix of her faded perfume and my cologne as I lay a kiss and whisper, “Are you sure I can’t change your mind?”

“No, mister. Stop distracting me, otherwise you’ll make us both late.”

“I don’t see the problem with that. Isn’t that the perk of being the CEO?” I rasp against her skin.

Chapter 22

Chelsea

A few days later

“Do I look okay?”I ask, adjusting my outfit.

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