Page 42 of Mr. Billionaire's Second Chance

Chapter Eleven

Katherine

I tossed and turned beneath my sheets, trying not to disturb the open laptop and stack files at the edge of my bed.

I had so much to do that getting away felt like a crime, but I could feel the longing for adventure settle beneath my bones. I didn’t care about the final report, the possible court proceedings that might follow this investigation, or what Mr. Wolfe was going to think in the end. Right now, it would just be Preston and I. A day away from the chaos. I mean, how could I pass that up?

I leaped out of bed, grabbing a woven tote bag, stuffing a change of clothes in with an extra bikini. I made my way into the bathroom to take a hot shower, blow dry my hair, and pick out the right one to wear underneath my flowy sundress. I was about to head out the door when Poppy stopped me with her to-go cup of coffee and her freshly ironed blazer.

“Where are you off to? New dress code at work?”

“I uh, I’m not heading into work today.”

She wrinkled her eyebrows, tilting her head trying to figure it out, and when she did, her eyes widened.

“No. He’s taking you out, isn’t he?”

“Maybe,” I said, coyly.

“Are you sure that’s such a good idea?”

“Says the girl that’s barely home anymore because she’s spending all her time with Chris.”

“You have a point.”

“We both just need a break. Work has been stressing me out and I know he feels like the world is crashing down around him every time the news outlets run a new story. At least this way we can enjoy each other’s company without having to worry about that,” I told her.

“Justify it all you want, but you’re falling for him all over again, Kat. I just want you to be careful this time, okay?”

“I will. I’ll see you tonight.”

“No you won’t!” she called after me as I took the stairs down to the lobby of my building.

Preston was waiting for me when I got out into the fresh morning air, leaning against his Aston Martin with his pastel-pink button-up shirt and khaki pants. I’d never seen him so casual before, and it was the first time in a while he really knocked my socks off.

“You definitely look like Brooklyn today,” I teased.

“Ouch,” he responded, with a chuckle and his hand on his chest like he just took a bullet.

He held the passenger side door open for me and I slid inside. He took the driver’s seat, reaching for my hand as we drove down to the docks. My heart was beating fast and I couldn’t quite understand why. It wasn’t until he glanced over at me did I realize how crazy this was. This is not my typical Wednesday, that's for sure.

“Not used to skipping out on work, huh?”

“Nope, not at all.”

“I promise I’m not trying to take you away from the audit on purpose,” he teased, with a wink.

“Sure, of course you’re not.”

Preston led me down the long stretch of wood and I took in the light mist puffing up into clouds around the water. He took my bag, helping me up onto his yacht, and I couldn’t help but be in complete awe.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“Well, this thing isn’t going to drive itself, is it?”

I smiled, watching him take the reins, and before I knew it we were on the water. I had a few moments to think, and as much as I didn’t want to be, I found myself consumed by the thought of the missing document. I wondered whether I’d ever find it, if I’d ever be able to fully close this investigation, and I started to worry all over again. The yacht came to a slow halt out on the water as it waded, and down came Preston with two glasses in hand.

“Champagne?”

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