Page 25 of Seduced By a Billionaire

Stinging from his rebuke, she said, “I guess so and I’m not cheap.” She forced herself not to be on the defensive.He was the one in the wrong here not her!

“Apparently not. I’ll have to make sure I get my money’s worth.”

“I’m sure you will.” She held out a tiny cup with his pills in it and shook it into his open palm.

“We’ll see,” he said. He grabbed a glass of water from the bedside table and swallowed his medication. “At last. Thanks.”

“That’s my job.”

“You’re free to go get settled in. I think you’ll be very comfortable in the guest suite. It’s at the other end, right down the hall. My son’s room is right next to mine. He won’t be joining us until the end of the week. We thought it best to give me a few days to gain some strength.”

“I think that’s wise,” Ella said. “Your place is magnificent.”

“Yes, I suppose it is.”

Ella shook her head in wonderment that anyone could take this opulence for granted. Most homes she had lived in growing up were about the size of his bedroom.

Mr. Drake stepped in and said, “I’ll show Ms. Palmer to her quarters. She needs to get her cat acquainted with the new surroundings.”

“After I get Daisy settled in, I’ll do my assessment.”

“I’ll be here no doubt,” he said, the dark circles under his eyes were the tell that he was exhausted from the trek home from the hospital. Sometimes a patient didn’t realize how impaired they really were until their reentry into their old life. Then it could be quite shocking to realize their limitations.

“Make yourself at home. All the amenities are available to you. Rich will give you the grand tour. No formalities, no dress-code I want you to feel like you’re at home. The fridge is fully stocked. I have a chef that will prepare our evening meals but we’re on our own for breakfast and lunch…unless that’s a problem? Rich is here Monday through Friday nine to five and has his own private cottage on the grounds. He is basically always on call, right Rich?” he said, smiling sheepishly.

“It is one of my great fortunes to be working for you, Mr. Bennett.”

“Stop. I’m sure Ella thinks I paid you to say that. Her opinion of me is only slightly higher than a pile of cow dung.”

“You flatter yourself,” she replied.

He chuckled as she haughtily marched out of the room behind Richard.

“Here you are,” Mr. Drake said, opening the door to her temporary residence.

“Holy shit!” slipped out before she could stop it. Embarrassed she quickly covered her mouth with her hand saying, “I’m so sorry, please excuse me.”

Mr. Drake just smiled, “I understand Ms. Palmer. It is grand indeed by anyone’s standards.”

“You can say that again.” She sucked in her breath as she took in her surroundings. There were vases of beautiful cut flowers filling the room. A large gift box wrapped in gold foil with a bow sat on her bed.

“I’ll leave you alone. I thought perhaps the litter box could be placed in the walk-in closet over there,” he said pointing to the west corner of the room. “The floors are tiled so there is no need to worry about damage.”

“Thank you, Mr. Drake.”

“My pleasure. Feel free to make use of the pool and spa while you’re here. There is a sauna and steam room off the gym. I’ll give you a tour after you get unpacked.”

“That would be great.”

“Please call me Richard or Rich,” he said smiling kindly.

“Okay. Let’s start with Richard. How long have you worked for Kyle?”

“I’ve been working for the Bennett family for over thirty-five years. Since before Kyle was born.”

“Wow!”

“Yes, you can say that again. I’m not at all sure where that time has gone. Should I return, say in twenty minutes, for the tour?”

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