Page 196 of The Owner's Temptation

She sighs, dramatically patient. “Let me see if I can reach Miss Knight and inquire about earlier availability. May I place you on a brief hold?”

“Of course.”

She taps the mute button and kicks back in her chair like she has all the time in the world. “What are you doing?” I whisper, trying not to scream. “I said yes.”

“Oh, I know.” She examines her fingernails with feigned boredom. “I just like to make them wait sometimes. Keeps them grounded. No one else puts men like Dominic Salvi in their place but…wecan.” She throws me a wink.

God, I love her.

After a beat, she unmutes the line. “Mr. Salvi, thank you for your patience. Miss Knight would be pleased to accept your offer.”

“Excellent,” he replies. “I’ll send a car at 8 a.m.”

Eve doesn’t miss a beat. “Ledger protocol states transportation for all Companion contracts will be arranged through our agency. Miss Knight will arrive at the designated hangar at 9 a.m. sharp.”

A small chuckle sounds from the line. “Right. My apologies. Still getting used to your processes.”

Eve’s voice sweetens with professionalism. “We recommend reviewing the Companion charter once more before tomorrow. Miss Knight will be briefed and ready.”

“I look forward to it,” he says. “Thank you, both.”

The call ends, and silence stretches for a moment.

I finally exhale. “That just happened.”

Eve leans forward, drumming her fingers on the edge of the table. “Oh, it’s happening, sweetheart. Now the fun part.” She wags her dark eyebrows at me. “Let’s go raid the Ledger closet and help you pack. You’ve got a plane to catch.”

* * *

The car glides through the security gate and into the private tarmac without a delay from security. I suppose they were expecting us, and the rich can bypass such protocols.

Felix has been picking me up every morning since Lucian had the locks changed on my apartment.

The first day, I thought it was to make sure he wasn’t inconvenienced by my tardiness. But the second day, and the third. It seemed–nice.

I cross my legs tighter in the back seat, pressing down the flare of irritation that still lingers like phantom heat. I’m not thinking about him today. Not really. Except to picture the exact moment he reads the report of which contract I took.

I hope it burns.

"You nervous?" Felix’s voice cuts through my thoughts. It’s warm and smooth, like it was aged in oak.

I glance up. His kind brown eyes are wrinkled at the corners, deepened by years of smiling. His hair is still thick, mostly black, but streaked through with enough white coils to saywise, not old.

“A little,” I admit, smiling faintly.

“Nervous is good,” he says, shifting his hands on the wheel. “Means you’re still paying attention. Can’t teach instinct. But nerves? That’ll keep you smart.”

I study him for a moment. “You always this philosophical?”

He chuckles. “You remind me of my daughter. She was always nervous going to her contracts.”

That makes me pause. “Your daughter?”

“She used to work for The Ledger. A long time ago.”

My eyebrows lift. “Seriously? And you drive for them?”

“I know what goes on here but I support my daughter.” He shrugs like it’s nothing. “Lucian took care of her. Gave her the choice to walk away when she was ready. She’s married now.” He added. “Eight months pregnant with my first grand-baby.”

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