Page 60 of Emergence and Ascendance

She set her coffee down. "People already know we're associated?"

"Business associates, which isn't uncommon. They also know I wanted that property, so me working with you on this deal would be normal. You don't have to worry."

"And the other part?"

"No one needs to know about that."

She nodded, looking relieved but still unsure. "Good."

Cress had my phone vibrating again with a call but I declined it. Her eyes dropped to the phone. "Another who is Scotlyn call?"

I shook my head. "Just Cress. I hung up on her; she's nosy as fuck and persistent."

"Must run in the family," she mumbled and I smiled.

"We get what we want by any means necessary but she can only get information about you through me, and again, I have given you my word."

Scotlyn pushed away from the counter. "Please don't make me regret agreeing to this deal."

"I won't."

She nodded. "I should get dressed before breakfast."

"You don't have to."

"Even though you're comfortable being half naked in front of your staff, I'm not." She headed for the door then paused. "What time do we need to review the contract?"

"Whenever you're ready."

She nodded and left, taking the coffee with her. I watched her go, knowing I was already breaking my own rules about keeping business and pleasure separate but with this woman those lines already were, and would continue, to blur.

eleven

Scotlyn.

I adjusted my tablet and swiped through the sketches my team had sent over for the hotel I wanted to build. Something about the design wasn’t working for me. I made a note to request modifications because this had to be perfect. I dropped the tablet on my lap and let my head fall back against the chair smiling.

This is really happening…

And so was me spending a month with the man helping me make sure it happened. Today had been surprisingly normal. After an hour on the treadmill in Christian's outrageously well-equipped gym, I showered and changed into jeans and a comfy sweater before I did some exploring. The tour last night didn’t do much good because my mind was working a mile a minute, questioning my damn sanity for agreeing to the offer Christian handed over.

Today I was able to see and process the space I would be living in more clearly and I was in awe of this place. It was truly beautiful but I kept my exploring to a minimum and settled in the study after I got a text from James telling me he’d sent several emails.

I decided to bite the bullet and just tell him what was going on. I almost laughed when his only reaction was “you betterenjoy every second of this deal.” James knew about my husband and how my father pulled strings in my life.

He was all for me having a little fun and said we would make this work as far as how we handled business and communicated while I was here. I appreciate that he also assured me his discretion about my personal dealings would be handled like all other situations he had been privy to about my life in the past.

I didn’t give him every detail, but I did tell him Christian and I were spending time together while I was here and staying at his home helped keep our personal relationship private. James simply stated, “not my business” and moved on to our agenda for the day.

The sound of footsteps had me lifting my head and Christian appeared in the doorway wearing black joggers and a fitted gray hoodie. I was learning that everything about this man was sexy, even his relaxed vibe of just chilling at his home.

"Working?" He walked in with two folders in his hand.

I tried not to stare at how those joggers fit snug enough to give me a preview of what was tucked away in them and failed miserably. The way he smirked let me know he’d caught me.

"Going over plans for the hotel.”

He nodded. "Looks like you’re settling in. I saw you heading to the gym earlier. How was the workout?"

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