Page 39 of Beautiful Desire

I collect my bag, make my way around the desk, and head for the door, with Beth following quickly behind me.

“Yes, so it seems. Only from what I’m aware, it’s a lot longer than just today that Mr. Lewis will be out of the office.”

Shit, the sale of the company must be all over the business pages by now.

I stop when I come face-to-face with this man, and a range of emotions shoots through my body. My heart feels like it’s beating right out of my chest. Goosebumps pebble my skin and heat flares in my cheeks.

“I can pass on your message once the new owner arrives. Now, if you don’t mind, I need to return to my desk.”

Move your ass out of the way, jackass, and get the hell out of here.

A smug smile slowly spreads its way across his face. I watch him as his eyes travel up the entire length of my body.

“Oh, that won’t be necessary.” Taking his right hand out of his pants pocket, he extends it toward me, offering a handshake. “Allow me to introduce myself. Dominic Lombardi, the new owner of LM Investments.”

My eyes almost bulge out of my head as his words register. I stand, staring at him as my grip tightens on the handle of my handbag.

This can’t be happening.

Bringing us both out of our trance, Beth moves between us, shoving her hand into his waiting one and beginning to shake it a little too eagerly. “Mr. Lombardi. So nice to meet you, sir. My name is Beth Watkins. I’m the PA for Mr. Miller.”

“Nice to meet you, Ms. Watkins,” Dom replies, his eyes never leaving mine.

This isnothow I envisioned my day going this morning.

Turning his attention to Beth, he asks, “Could I ask you a favor, Ms. Watkins? Would you be able to grab me a coffee, please, while I talk toMiss…”

Turning his focus back to me, he stands, waiting for me to tell him my name.

Opening and closing my mouth a few times, I shake my head and eventually spit out, “Parker. Miss Parker.”

Me? What the hell does he want to talk to me for? He’s had plenty of goddamn time to talk to me. He clearly knew where I worked. He could have asked Fabi for my number. Instead, I received radio silence for the past year.

I grind my teeth; I don’t want to be anywhere near this jackass for any longer than I absolutely need to, and I most certainly don’t want to be stuck in this office talking to him. All I really want to do right now is run home to my safe haven.

“Yes, sir. Of course. I’ll be right back.” Beth beams up at him, showing the effect he has on most women, but not this one.

“Could you grab it from the coffee truck around the corner? It’s the best in the city. Splash of milk and two sugars. Thank you, Ms. Watkins,” he says as he hands her a ten-dollar bill.

“Of course, sir. And you can call me Beth.” Her cheeks blush as she scurries out of the office and down the corridor.

The same corridor that was once a hive of activity is now calm and peaceful. No doubt, everyone scurried to their desks oncehestepped foot out of the elevator.

Dom steps forward into the office, causing me to step aside. My eyes fall to watch his ass as he makes his way over to the window to look out at the view of the city with both hands in his pants pockets.

“So, what did you want to talk to me about,Mr. Lombardi?” I ask, trying to remain professional.

He doesn’t answer right away, just stands there with his back to me. The awkward atmosphere in the room rises. I need to get out of here.

“How have you been?”

Is he for fucking real?

I clench and unclench my free hand a couple of times while taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly.

Keep your cool, Elle. Keep your cool.

“Mr. Lombardi, I really—”

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