“What’s the bank’s problem?”
“Money, of course. They want more than market value since we’ve bought up the whole block. If I knew the money would go straight to the family, I’d say we pay it immediately, but the trustee fee on this estate is nearly fifteen percent. I personally think that someone on the bank coerced the old owner into signing this because no one agrees to pay a trustee that much money.”
“So we either go to court, pay the excessive overage or simply develop around the property.”
“That piece is the center. It’s smack dab in the center of the south-facing street, which is the nicest.”
“Then we make every other street the nicest and forget about the south-facing street. That will be for parking and trash.”
Luna has started opening drawers. She finds the black credit card I had issued in her name and holds it up, confusion written all over her face.
“I have to go, Leo. I trust you to make the right decision, whatever it is.” I cut off the call and cross the room. “That’s for you.”
“For the party planning?” she asks.
“For that and whatever else you want to use it for.” I curl my hand around the back of her head. Her hair is soft and silky. She must have recently showered because there’s a slight dampness in her curls. I lean down and inhale the scent of her shampoo. It’s fresh and light, with a hint of lemon. I thread my fingers through the strands and massage her scalp. “You should take yourself to a spa and get some treatments. This job can be stressful.”
“I just started it yesterday,” she protests. “I haven’t had enough time here for it to be stressful.”
“Grant would disagree. Now, is everything here to your liking? Anything we should change?”
She shakes her head lightly, carefully so as not to dislodge my hand. Her eyes widen as I move my palm from the back of her head down to cup her chin. I stretch my thumb up and rub it across her lower lip, pulling that succulent down until I can feel the moist underside wetting the tip of my thumb.
“If there’s anything you want, you just need to say the word.”
9
Luna
My breath catches when his thumb tugs on my bottom lip. All of my good sense goes out the window when I look up into those green eyes of his. I was going to be professional today. I reiterated that to myself over and over on the elevator ride up here. I want him to kiss me so badly right now, though. A real one this time but I’m too shy to lean up and try to take one for myself.
My tongue darts out quickly, trying to steal a taste of him. All I taste is the stupid wonderful coffee I took a sip of moments ago. I never thought I’d curse coffee but Maddox has gotten me to. He could probably get me to do a lot of things.
I need a better taste. I swear I hear him groan when my tongue makes contact with his finger. He doesn’t stop sliding it back and forth. I don’t know how long we’ve been standing like this. Maybe it’s only been a second but I’m lost for a moment in him.
My mind hasn’t caught up to the words that he’s saying. His lips are moving but I’m so lost in the moment that I can’t comprehend what is coming from his mouth. I close my eyes to try and pull it together. His hand drops from my face and I immediately miss its warmth. My eyes flutter open, missing what he says again. Did he say I could have anything I asked for?
“Luna, I have Fairytale Boutique on the line for you.” My gaze springs to Grant, who is standing in the doorway. I glance back to Maddox, who doesn’t move from where he’s standing. There is something heavy in his gaze.
He’s so close we look like we belong together. We no longer look like a boss and his assistant but more like a couple. His eyes are focused on me, not caring that Grant is seeing us like this. Isn’t this how office rumors start? This is the second time Grant has busted us being more personal than we should be. Oh God, what if he’s just used to it! No, I won’t believe that. I don’t want to, but I know one of my downfalls is being too trustful. I’ve learned that lesson the hard way one too many times.
I quickly turn and head to sit at my desk. I swear he chuckles when I walk straight into my new chair. He’s got me all turned around. My body feels warm from his touch and I’m still trying to see if I can find even a small taste of him on my tongue. My focus needs to be on this job. I have to keep reminding myself that I have a job to do. One I get to do from a super comfy chair and wonderful desk.