Our eyes latch, and I’m ready to yank her by the ankle and have my way with her, but Perry murmurs behind me, and I remember we’re not alone.
When DeLuca arrives, I find myself on edge. We have been friends for many years, but we have an annoying habit of being drawn to the same kind of woman. Only Lauren isn’t like the women we are used to. She doesn’t scream money. Her confidence isn’t held with a sense of arrogance, and she is prim, bright, and witty. She has no game plan. She just is. What you see is what you get. She’s fucking stunning, from her lengthy lashes hidden beneath a delicate fringe to her smart mouth and intelligent eyes.
Matteo eyes me curiously when I move to say something, but I step away just as quickly, the warning lost on my tongue. His attention is soon pulled towards the injured woman resting on the sofa. His eyes widen slightly, and his lips twitch.
He walks straight to Lauren, places his bag down, and crouches before her. Unlike me, he gets her hotel face. “Hello,” she chirps, lifting her hair for him to inspect. “I had an accident yesterday, which will explain my little wobble.” She narrows her eyes at me, and I stuff my hands in my pockets and grip them tightly. Oh, how I would love for her to narrow those big almond eyes if we were alone. I wonder if she’d feel so confident on her knees.
“I’d still like to check you over,” my friend coaxes.
Lauren pouts and pulls out her phone. “I have an intervi—”
“Fuck the interview!” I snarl. I don’t hear the next few words spoken between them because my blood is rushing through my ears and sending my heart into a furious frenzy. I seriously need to get my shit together. The good doctor will be working on me if I don’t calm my temper.
“Got any sedatives for Mr grumpy over here?” Lauren thumb-points at me. I’m so fucking close to storming across the room and shutting her up indefinitely with my mouth that I step forward.
Laughing, Matteo looks back at me. “She seems okay to me, Cain.”
“Check her,” I bite back and storm out, stalking up and down the corridor, trying to calm down as I call Justine. “I’m doing it,” she answers.
“I said first thing, Justine. It’s nearing mid-afternoon, and I have one concussed employee plastered to my fucking sofa.”
“What?” she blurts.
“Get the file!” I seethe.
“Right away,” she promises before I cut the call. I allow myself a few more moments before I centre my temper and push back inside my office.
Apologetic pretty eyes meet mine when I re-enter. “How are you feeling now?” DeLuca leans in too closely and moves some of her hair aside. I want to throttle the bastard. Perry eyes me, and I drop my head. I need to fire this woman and fuck her or forget her altogether.
“Well, that feels nice.” My head swings up.
“Are you always such a flirt?” I growl, still working through my feelings as if this little woman has managed to leak her way into my fucking head.
“I beg your pardon?” she chokes, completely shocked. Her cheeks flame bright red, and I sneer as Matteo holds her hair in his fingers. The small smirk he is wearing tells me he knows what the fuck he is doing.
Lauren moves away, seemingly embarrassed, and stands. “You really should be at home resting. What pain relief are you taking?” Matt questions and I step forward to listen, but Lauren is already gathering her things up. “Do you have transport to get home?”
She nods and puts her phone to her ear. Is she calling a lift? “Oh, hello. I’m supposed to be having an interview. However, I’ve had a little accident,” she rushes to explain. I see red. I power across the room and snatch the phone, telling them to stick their fucking job before I disconnect the call.
“What on earth!” she snaps and looks to Perry for help. “You can’t do that!” She stomps towards me but wobbles, her balance as fickle as my temper.
DeLuca rushes to her aid, but I manage to get there first and scoop her up. “Leave her.” My friend holds his hands up in defeat, a small smile pulling at the corner of his mouth. “Perry, please arrange a room for Miss Lindel so she can get some rest.”
“Please put me down,” she garbles stiffly. I do as she asks, but only because I know if I don’t, I will do something stupid, like kissing her.
“Don’t move,” I mutter and stalk towards Perry and Matt.
“I’m confused. Is she a guest or your lover?” Matt muses.
“She’s none of your fucking business,” I warn.
“Managed to get one across the hall,” Perry says. That’s my suite. Is he trying to make me lose my fucking willpower?
“Perry, quit fucking around,” I growl.
“There is a room across the hall,” Perry reiterates slowly and nods to a pale-looking Lauren at my back. I suck in a deep breath and incline my head in acceptance. At least this way, I can keep an eye on her, even if she is going to be sleeping in the room I keep here.
Perry offers to get her settled. Matteo leaves with him, and I take a seat and simmer in quiet. I’m nursing a glass of brandy when they finally reappear.