Page 105 of Beautiful Desire

When I don’t answer her right away, Gia tries again. “Earth to Elle. How was the date?”

“He picked me up, took me out, and brought me home again. He was quite the gentleman,” I tell her with a smile on my face, knowing she wants every detail.

Pinning me with a disapproving look, she rolls her eyes and shakes her head. “Ha-ha, smartass. Where did he take you? I know with Dom, it had to be some place nice.”

I roll my lips and turn my attention back to Lily, who wriggles in my arms. Moving to get the overnight bag Gia set on the couch, I sit down, and with one hand, feel around for Lily’s pacifier. Settling back into the couch with Lily, I start to answer.

“He picked me up in his car with his driver, and we drove out to the country to his…house? I don’t know what it is, to be honest, G. It’s huge. Like bigger than your and Fabi’s place huge. Have you ever been there before?” I ask, curious.

The sound of a key turning in the door interrupts our conversation as Melinda arrives to start her day.

“Good morning, ladies. Good morning, babies,” she chirps, entering the apartment and closing the door behind her.

“Morning, Melinda,” Gia and I reply in unison.

“You’re early this morning, dear,” she says to Gia, removing her coat.

“I was just dropping Lily back off. She came for a sleepover last night,” Gia tells her before sipping loudly at her freshly made coffee.

Turning her attention to me, Melinda quirks her brow.

“I knew there was a reason for your early arrival yesterday,” she says, chuckling to herself as she moves into the kitchen. “Who is the lucky man, if you don’t mind my asking?”

I don’t get a chance to reply before Gia speaks up excitedly. “Her boss.”

Feeling both of their eyes on me from behind as they wait for my reaction, I ignore them and stare down at Lily, trying not to overthink everything too much. Even if we didn’t know each other back when we first met, heismy boss now. The attraction we have for one another and the chemistry between us is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.

A tense silence fills the apartment. I let out an exasperated sigh and stand from the couch, walking into the kitchen.

I gently kiss Lily’s head before handing her over to Melinda. “I need to finish getting ready for work.”

Moving to Gia, I lean in, give her a quick peck on the cheek, and thank her for looking after Lily last night. I give Nico a kiss on the back of his head before walking out of the kitchen, down the hallway, and into my bedroom, where I finish getting ready for the day ahead.

* * *

Stepping out of the elevator, I make my way down the corridor toward my desk. The door to Dom’s office is closed, and a feeling of disappointment washes over me. When I look over toward my desk, a smile spreads across my face, and my eyes almost pop out of their sockets. Sitting in front of my computer screen is a huge bouquet of lilies. I quickly round the desk, looking for the card that came along with them. Pulling it out, I read.

I had the most amazing night.

-D Xx

As I’m debating whether I should thank him through text or in person, my thoughts are interrupted when the phone on my desk rings.

“Good morning. LM Investments. This is—”

Before I can finish talking, Beth’s voice sounds through the receiver.

“So, who’s the bouquet of flowers from, or do I even need to ask?” she beams through the phone.

This girl is fast. I knew she’d find out about the flowers and call to ask, but jeez. I’ve only just gotten here.

“Are you spying on me?” I ask, looking around the office floor, expecting to see her somehow pop up out of nowhere.

“I have eyes and ears everywhere, Elle. You should know that by now. So, come on, spill. Is it who I think it is?”

I decide to ignore her question completely.

“Don’t you have any actual work to do instead of worrying about who bought me flowers? And anyway, how do you know I didn’t buy them myself?” I ask, trying to throw her off the scent.

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