Page 129 of Strictly Business

Richard smiles. “Your father was a good man. And after hearing this, I know you’re committed to carrying on his legacy. We’d be honored to partner with Blackwood Hotels.”

Relief floods my chest, and I let out a shaky laugh.Holy shit. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”

Claire steps forward, shaking my hand with a smile. “We’re looking forward to the future together.”

David pats me on the back, a genuine grin on his face. “We all have our moments, Nicholas. Don’t worry about it.”

But it’s Simon who catches my eye last. The same Simon who spent the entire gala checking out Amara. He smirks as he extends his hand. “Hell of an act, Nicholas.”

I force a tight smile. “Not sure how much of it was an act.” I don’t know how much of it was for the company or how much it was my sheer possessiveness over Amara.

Robert slaps me on the back. “Let’s expand your father’s legacy. Together.”

I let out a deep breath. For the first time in weeks, the weight on my chest lifts. I might have lied to get here, but I’m going to prove that I’m the right person for this job.

And when I get home to Amara, I’ll make sure she knows that she’s not just part of my success. She’s the reason for it.

Chapter forty-four

Amara

My phone buzzes on the desk, and I glance down, seeing Nicholas’s name lighting up the screen.

Nicholas:

Come to my office.

It’s my first day back at the office since I tried to quit—which Nicholas flat-out denied—and I haven’t even made it through ten minutes of catching up on emails.

A smile tugs at my lips as I quickly type a response.

Me:

We’re not having sex in your office again. People will talk.

Nicholas:

Couldn’t care less what people say, baby. But it’s not that. I promise.

I laugh under my breath, shaking my head as I stand up, smoothing my skirt down my thighs before heading toward his office.

When I reach his door, I don’t bother knocking. I push it open, not expecting to find anything different. But instead of sitting behind his desk, buried in paperwork like usual, he’s standing by the window, his arms crossed in front of him, watching the city below.

I stop just inside the doorway, feeling a small flutter in my chest at the sight of him, and clear my throat. “You wanted to see me?”

He turns to face me, and his lips quirk in a smile, his eyes softening the moment they land on mine. “I always want to see you.” He steps forward, his hands flying to my hips as our lips meet. I part my lips, gasping when his soft tongue brushes against mine.

“Nicholas,” I murmur, pulling back with a chuckle. “You’re not even pretending to be professional anymore.”

His forehead drops to mine, a soft groan slipping from his lips. “I’ve become an addict when it comes to your lips. I need them, Amara. Always.”

“Later,” I murmur, fingers toying with the smooth fabric of his tie. “What did you need from me?”

His hand lingers at my waist for a beat too long before he turns toward his desk. He grabs a stack of papers, his fingers grazing mine as he hands them over. “I need you to sign these.”

I flip through the pages, my stomach twisting the moment I register the bolded words at the top. Resignation papers.

My head snaps up. “Wait… You’re firing me?”

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