Page 2 of Scottish Seducer
I sighed out the breath backed up in my lungs and forced a bigger smile. “Oh, good. I wasn’t ready for more drama in my life.”
She rolled her eyes at me like I was an idiot. I managed to ignore the knots in my stomach from her reprimand until she said, “We need you to take the train up to Scotland and drive his car back.”
Our billionaire CEO, whose papers I filed all day, every day, now thought he’d send me – a file clerk with no office – to pick up his car and drive it to London.
“Chauffeur” wasn’t in my job description, so I asked, “Why can’t he use a courier service?”
Her eyes widened. “Because he has you.”
I crossed my arms like this job was beneath me. “I’m a clerk here.”
She handed me a manila folder. “And he’s the founder and CEO, and he’s paying.”
I lowered my arms. This wasn’t the worst thing in my life. I’d drive a nice car for a few hours and then head home. I opened the envelope to find directions, a set of keys, and tickets with a one-night hotel stay, as I said, “Okay. Thanks.”
I headed to my desk and read my job description. At least this paid a bonus. Margot Fletcher probably didn’t want this gig because she’d rather go home to her family once the day ended.
Actually, the money was enough to pay the rent until I found a new roommate. So I nodded to reassure myself that all would be well. I’d soon fix my immediate problem with only one night’s work.
Margot even let me out an hour early so I might pack. I practically bounced as I strode to the Tube then got off at my stop, humming as I walked along until I made it to my flat.
Someone had left a key in the door.
My heart raced. Burglars don’t use keys, so I didn’t run away. Instead, I pushed on the half-open door. I heard panting and my ears burned in recognition. I half backed out, then remembered that these days I lived alone. Adrenaline rushed in my veins the second I saw the ass with a star on its right cheek. Then man who’d broken my damn heart months ago. I’d believed he was my other half, my pretend best friend who’d enjoyed the Jane Austen reenactments and bought his own costumes.
A moment later, the perky breasts of my former roommate followed him out and they both stared at me.
Heat swamped my cheeks and I swallowed. Unlike them, I was in my bones an American, and I wasn’t going to abandon the small place I called home. So I ignored my goose bumps and pretended I was heartless like them. “Richard? Ann? I thought you both left for Belgium.”
I put my bag down and snatched my water bottles out of their hands. They hadn’t paid for anything here in weeks.
Ann covered herself a little and said quickly, “I came to get my things. I didn’t think you’d be home.”
My sister, Indigo, would read them the riot act if she was me. I put the waters back and wished I was as strong as Indigo when I said, “So you thought, ‘let’s fuck one more time in the old bed that we no longer pay for’?”
Richard placed his hand on my shoulder. “Stephanie, don’t be jealous.”
Ann went to her old room.
I smacked his hand off me. “I’m so not.”
I bolted to the door, got Ann’s old key, and slapped it down on my table. “You’ve had your fun in my place, so get the fuck out.”
My heart hammered as Richard sneered at me.
“That’s not polite.”
Ann tossed his pants at him. I didn’t move at all except to fold my arms and say, “I’m not British. Now go, and never darken my doorstep again.”
While Richard finished dressing, I noticed Ann was clutching a small box of things I’d ignored when I’d decided not to hurl everything she owned out the window at them. Back when I’d found them exactly like this—only that time, I was wearing his ring.
This time, he had the gall to say, “You know, you could have joined us.”
My stomach twisted. “Eeeeww.” But then I held up my hand and said, “One moment.” I darted to my apparently untouched room, grabbed the ring box, darted back out, and tossed it at him, saying, “Now Ann getsallmy worthless things.”
Well, that wasn’t true. I’d almost pawned it for 500 pounds to pay this month’s rent, but the universe rescued me just this morning.
They left and my entire body burned for minutes after I heard the door shut. Once I calmed down, I packed my overnight bag.
