Page 97 of The Grand Duel

I do, though. Couldn’t stop even if I wanted to.

I lean down and tap her shoulder. “Lissie.”

She lets out a soft moan, and I clench my jaw.

“Lissie,” I say again, and her brown eyes flutter open.

She bolts upright, making the dogs leap from the sofa. “I fell asleep. Oh my god, what time is it?”

“It’s getting late. Let me drive you home.”

“Late?” She frowns. “I’m so sorry. I closed my eyes for just a second.” She shakes her head, a little disoriented. “What time is it?”

“Six thirty.”

“What?Oh my god.” She stands, swaying. “I’m so sorry. I don’t?—”

I gently take hold of her upper arms. “Hey.” I level with her, smoothing my thumbs over her suit jacket. Cream, of course. “It’s okay.”

Her eyes search mine. “I have a shift. I start at eight.”

“I can get you there.”

She lets out a rush of air, her body relaxing as her panic ebbs away. “I’m so sorry, Charles. I’m mortified. I’ll stay later one day this week, or you can take it out of my pay.”

“There’s no reality in which either of those two things would ever happen.”

She scrubs at her face. “I can’t believe I fell asleep. You should have woken me up. Tossed a pen at me or something.”

“I didn’t want to take my chances.” I give her a wink. “You’re known to be a bit of a diva.”

Her lips twist as she peers up at me. She pushes against my chest, and I still feel her touch there long after she removes her hand.

“I’ll get my things together as quickly as I can. Are you sure you don’t mind driving me home? I have a load of things to take with me to HQ tomorrow.”

Right, that. “Sure. I’ll take the dogs out and meet you around the front.”

Lissie still looks a little sleepy when she climbs into my car, her face paler than normal and her hair not completely tamed.

I can’t help but like seeing the softer, more vulnerable side to her.

“I’m so sorry, Charles.”

“Stop apologising, or I’ll kick you out and make you get the tube.”

She smiles and settles in the seat. “I don’t think I’ve ever done anything so unprofessional.”

“I’m not sure I believe that,” I tell her, trying to keep the conversation light to smother her guilt.

“No, I think falling asleep in my employer’s office for well over an hour is definitely at number one.”

“It was well over two,” I correct.

“Oh god.” She drops her head into her hands.

“Forget about it. What’s your plans whilst I’m away?” I side-eye her. “Not sleeping within work hours, I hope,” I add playfully.

She chuckles. “No. I won’t have the dogs. It’s their fault, you know. They’re too cute and warm.”

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