Page 18 of The Exposed Heiress

Leo stood up. “Let’s head back to the office and begin putting together a plan.”

Emma gathered her coat and handbag.

While unrolling his shirt sleeves and buttoning them, Leo said, “Would you like any tea before I take this inside?”

Taking her glass, Emma took a long swallow. The cold, sweet tea soothed her throat. The sun had been warmer than she expected. “It’s nice to be outside during a work day.”

“They keep you hidden in that basement, do they?”

She smiled. “Yes, actually I spend far too much time in the design studio.”

When they went down to the main floor, Emma stopped to look at the massive living room again.

Leo stood behind her. “I’m not sure if this is the right space for Francis Bolles.”

She turned and faced him. “It’s the perfect space. The light is phenomenal. But obviously, it’s your decision.”

They walked to the side of the building that housed a garage area. Leo put in a code and then opened the overhead door.

He checked his watch. “Which vehicle would you prefer?”

She glanced at a Mercedes sedan and a late model Lamborghini.

Walking over to a Ducati motorcycle, she said “This one.”

He shook his head. “It’s not practical. You’re wearing a short skirt and a nothing blouse.”

Emma touched the chrome handlebars. “Don’t you have riding gear?”

He frowned. “Yes, but where would we park it? It’s not worth the possible exposure. It would seem like we didn’t have a care in the world.”

She crossed her arms. “That’s not a bad thing. You can find a parking garage in the city.”

He walked away to a supply closet and said over his shoulder, “I hope you have shorts under that skirt.”

He came back with two leather jackets and handed one to her. She removed her coat and put on the heavy jacket.

He took her coat off of the bike and said, “I don’t have any storage compartments on this bike. You’ll need to tuck it inside your jacket along with your handbag.”

He handed her a helmet and climbed onto the bike. “Are you sure about this?”

Taking the kickstand off, he balanced the bike and started the engine.

Emma secured her helmet, then climbed on the bike behind him. Feeling the rumbling of the engine, she started to lose her nerve, but decided to go with it.

He glanced in the mirror at her and she nodded. As the motorcycle began to move forward, she tightened her hold on him. What was she thinking?

As they drove the side streets, she took in a breath and tried to let go of the worry clinging to her. Her family had been messaging her about her father, and his recovery seemed so complicated. She let her mind clear as she watched the flow of traffic and people crossing the street. She had so much work to do, but her thoughts kept returning to Leo.

She wouldn’t have chosen Leo as a business partner, but somehow he had the ability to detach himself from the past and offer sound advice. But could she trust him?

Chapter 5

The low rumble from the motorcycle sheltered Emma away from all her worries and thoughts. She let her body relax into Leo as he drove through London, navigating the heavy traffic, until he pulled into an underground parking garage using a keypad to gain entrance.

When he parked near the far wall, Emma climbed off the bike with some difficulty and took off her helmet.

Leo stopped the engine and leaned the heavy bike onto the kickstand. “Your shoes made it?”

---