I think I know now how Lucien felt about Ciara.
Did he want to push? Fuck yes.
“I have to tell you, end of the day would be the best for me. I do tend to have meetings and things during the day.” The struggle to keep his voice calm and not the arrogant way it typically was when he was refused, was great.
Phillip expected trouble and pushback. He didn’t get anything more than her reaching out for the book that had her month on its pages.
“What days of the week would be best for you, my lord? Or were you serious about daily?”
Fuck yes, I am serious. He thought about the three days that Albie had. So he gave Fyre four.
Her jaw clenched ever so lightly but she didn’t refuse.
“And the time that is best for you?”
That was easy enough. The time he gave was the hour after Albie had her. No way this woman was heading home to end her day after being with Albie. Phillip planned on being the last man she thought about before bed. Give him long enough and he would be the first one she thought of in the morning as well.
Her head remained bowed as she worked on the paper in her lap. Phillip took the time to study her. Was she beautiful? Of course she was, but it was more than that. She had this elegance she carried herself with that was such an intoxicating lure to him. Even that didn’t completely explain what it was about her, and he wasn’t capable enough to put it into words. All he knew was with this woman, well, special seemed to be too tame of a word.
Until he’d come to this island—and more specifically, Hawk’s Cove—to help Trace, where he’d changed his self-centered asshole attitude, he’d still sought out the same type of woman. Shallow. Vapid. In it for the pleasure and money or baubles he could give her.
But here, on this small island, was this woman, Fyre. Aptly named, for she shone bright and caught the eye of those who saw her. Not to mention she burned him, in an incredible way, when she allowed him in to see her true personality—and he had no doubt she could do more, if she let someone close. He wanted to be close enough for that heat to stream all over him.
“Very good, my lord. I have you down for those four days at that time.”
“Thank you.”
She reached for her items and began repacking her bag.
Phillip didn’t want her to go but he had no reason to keep her there longer. She’d given him the sheet he had requested and had put him down on her schedule. Rising when she did, he touched her arm.
Fyre turned to glance at him. “Yes, my lord? Did I make a mistake that you had more to go over now?” She licked her lips. “Or are you good with the key I gave you and we can save any questions you may have for the next time I am here?”
Was it wrong to lie just to keep her around? Yes. Did he want to do it anyway? Hell yes. But this wasn’t about him and his base needs. “I will have someone take you home.”
She pulled back ever so slightly. “Not necessary, my lord, but thank you.”
He shook his head and grinned. “I was not asking for your permission. I was informing you that it is going to happen. Either you allow me to do that, or I will accompany you.”
Her pulse kicked up on the side of her neck. “A ride is not necessary, my lord. I am sure your people have more important things to do than see me home.”
“Keating,” he called out.
“My lord?”
“Have a carriage brought around. I need a maid and a footman to take Ms. Fyre home.”
“Very good, my lord.”
He looked back down at her. “All taken care of. It is dangerous for you to walk alone.”
A spark flashed in her eyes but all she did was smile and curtsey. “Thank you, my lord. I will see you in two days.” She turned and walked out, leaving him alone and hard as stone.
Two days of hell before he got to see her again. Instead of following to make sure that she left okay, he retreated to his study and closed the door. Back against the wood, he freed himself from his breeches. Phillip hissed in a mixture of relief and need as he stroked his hard cock. He’d not been this desperate for relief in a long time, but since he had started interacting with Fyre, this state had become more common.
* * * *
Fyre dumped the water and allowed the bucket to fall to the damp ground as she glanced back to the open door of her new place. The one she’d just finished cleaning the floor of. Standing tall, she pressed the heel of her palm to her lower back as she tried to work out the kink there. It only worked a little bit.