Fingering through the pages, I land on the recipe for pancakes and retrieve the necessary ingredients and measuring utensils, along with a giant bowl.
After the pancakes are finished cooking and on the table, Levi comes down dressed in his suit and looking fine as hell.
Does the man own any casual clothes?
“Good morning,” I say, trying to be cool after what I know he had to be doing in the shower. I mean, otherwise, wouldn’t he be sore with a case of blue balls? He doesn’t look irritated or equally frustrated.
Why do I care what he did in the privacy of his bathroom? This is his home.
Why am I even thinking such lewd thoughts?
“Morning,” he says, and grabs a pancake from the stack, forgoing a plate. He brings the silver-dollar-sized pancake to his lips and takes a bite.
I don’t think he’s trying to be sexy, but damn, the man gives off vibes even when he’s playing it cool.
Maybe I need a night off, a warm body to pounce, and I’ll be over this boss crush with the grump. Except for this morning, he’s not acting like the grump that I’d expect.
“I need to interview a few private schools today, and Amelia will be with me.”
“Oh, okay,” I say. I’m not sure what that means for me. Does he want me to join him? Would he prefer that I stay here for the day? I’m waiting for him to elaborate, because the suspense is killing me, and quite frankly, being in his presence all day might as well.
“My assistant set up three appointments. I’d like to have Amelia dressed and ready to go after breakfast. Douglas bought her a plaid jumper that I think would look appropriate for her interview.”
“Interview?” I need coffee, stat.
I head toward the coffee pot, and Levi joins me, grabbing the coffee beans and pouring water into the tank. I’m really just standing around looking pretty while he makes me coffee. Though I’m sure he’s making a cup for himself, too, since he’s making a pot.
“Nancy managed to set up three last-minute interviews for the most prestigious private schools in the area. I want Amelia to have the brightest future, and that starts with giving her the best education.”
“With rich snobs?” The words leave my lips before I can take them back. I really wish I had that steaming hot mug of coffee that I could drown myself in. Instead, I shift the weight between my feet awkwardly and grimace.
“Tell me what you really think of me.”
While I doubt he means it, the word vomit keeps on coming. “Other than you live in a mansion and probably spend more on laundry detergent than I make in a year.”
“What?” His nose crinkles.
“The stuff you buy doesn’t even exist in stores.”
“It’s organic and biodegradable. The packaging is recyclable, and it’s good for the environment.”
“It’s soap.” I just can’t stop myself. “You think you can buy your way out of anything. Take me, for example. You sent me off with four hundred dollars yesterday to get rid of me. Do you know how insulting that is!”
He raises an eyebrow and folds his arms across his chest. “I’m sure you’re going to tell me.” His tongue darts out to the side of his mouth for a moment. He’s irritated with me.
Good.
Then maybe he won’t try to kiss me again or jack off in the bathroom thinking about me. I inwardly grimace at the mental thoughts.
“Don’t stop now,” Levi challenges.
I huff and grab a mug. The coffee still isn’t ready yet. I need my caffeine fix. “Do you really think a top-notch education when she’s in kindergarten is going to make a difference for her future? She’s going to be sent to school with other rich kids and not realize that isn’t how most of us live.”
“Is it wrong of me to want to give her every opportunity to succeed?”
“No,” I whisper, feeling his wrath.
“I may not have been there for her for the first five years of her life, but I’m damn well going to make sure that I’m there for the rest. If that means paying the school a million dollars to fund a new science lab and secure her enrollment when they don’t have any openings, I’ll do it.”