Page 29 of His to Keep
If I’d expected him to be pissed, I’d be surprised. He lets out that deep, rumbly laugh that sends shivers down my spine. The good kind of shivers. The kind that remind me just what it was like to hear him chuckle darkly in my ear when he—
“You’re one to talk.” He grins at me, eyes sparkling with humor. “She’s the bossiest woman I’ve ever met. The only time I get any peace is when she goes home.”
She snorts derisively. The two of them remind me of a pair of siblings, and I can’t help but wonder how she came to work for him. “I was about to show Rebecca around, but apparently you’d rather take over.” The twinkle in her eyes has my face flushing all over again. Does she know about us?
“As ever, Emily, I appreciate your help,” he says drily. His hand goes to the small of my back and he begins to lead me away from the kitchen. I hear the soft sound of her laughter as we walk away and my face flushes even more.
“You look gorgeous like that, you know,” he says softly, looking down at me.
“Like what?” I squeak out.
His free hand reaches down to brush a knuckle across my cheek. “Blushing. I have very pleasant memories of you blushing.”
“Luke!” I scold. “I’m at work.” There’s no real conviction in my words, though. In fact, my knees are feeling distinctly weak right now.
“No,” he murmurs, his deep voice sending shivers down my arms. “You’re at my house. A place you’d be a lot if I had my way.”
I want to shake off his hand. Want to remind him that he promised me no complications. To tell him that even though this is his house, and even though he had his fingersinside menot twenty-four hours ago, I’m here for work and I’m on the clock. But I’m afraid if I pull away from him, I might actually swoon. Why do I like hearing him talk this way? Why am I so affected by his mere presence?
“Does Emily know about us?” I blurt out, thinking about that twinkle in her eyes.
He frowns down at me. “No. Of course not. I would never violate your privacy like that, Rebecca.”
“She said she’s heard a lot about me.”
His eyes drift to a spot on the floor, color coming to his cheeks. Oh my God—isheblushing? “I may have mentioned you. Earlier in the week, when you started working as my assistant.”
“She saida lot,” I can’t help but tease. “That sounds like more than mentioning.” He growls a little, and I have to laugh. “The two of you seem close.”
He nods. “Emily worked for the company that cleaned the building where I rented a shoebox of an office way back when I was getting started. I was always there late, so we’d end up chatting while she worked the night shift. She was a single mom, really busting her ass to stay on her feet.” He shrugs a little. “When I moved into my own office space, I hired her. Figured I could use someone with that work ethic. Eventually I brought her here to run the house.” He looks down at me, frowning. “What? Why is your face like that?”
I realize I’m gaping at him and try to make my expression more neutral. It’s difficult.” You surprise me, that’s all.”
His frown grows. “Why do I surprise you.”
“Do you not realize how sweet that story is?”
He makes a face. “I don’t know about sweet. Having Emily around is like having a bossy big sister constantly in my life.” But I can tell by the twitch in his lips he’s trying not to smile. He must really care for her. And it isn’t just Emily, I realize. He surprised me yesterday with Wesley as well, how concerned he was, how much affection he clearly has for his underling and his fiancé. It’s not exactly what I would expect for someone as powerful as Luke. Aren’t rich men supposed to be ruthless and unconcerned with the little people?
Don’t go getting all gooey, Rebecca,I order myself.He’s your boss.
“This is my home office,” Luke says, showing me into another glass walled, expansive space. It’s nearly as big as his office at VistaTech and just as impeccably decorated. Then he shows me his library. And his screening room. And a gym that looks bigger than the professional one I go to. I’m completely overwhelmed by the time we reach the bedrooms.
“You’re looking a little pale, Rebecca.” Concern laces his voice. “Do you feel well? Do you need to sit down?”
“I’m fine,” I murmur. “I just…this is a beautiful home, Luke.”
His entire face lights up, making him look boyish in a way that tugs on my heart strings. “Do you like it?”
I snort out a laugh. “Like it? This place is a palace.”
He holds my gaze for a long moment then suddenly his hands are on my waist, tugging me through a nearby doorway into a dark room. Before I can say a word, he has me pressed against the wall, his body flush against mine.
“I can’t tell you what it does to me to have you here,” he murmurs into my ear. “To come home and see you in my house. To watch you walk through these rooms.”
I’m breathless, dizzy from his proximity. “I don’t…what do you mean?”
He groans against my neck in frustration. “As soon as Wesley told me you were heading here to help with the dinner party, I lost my mind. I cancelled two meetings to come home and see you.”
