“She has always worked. Not only that but she has work that will cover what she gives up from this position. I arranged it with Albie Caulfield. He will give her all the work she needs.”
Jealousy unfurled in his chest. And anger, at Fyre’s brother. He was selling her off. The urge to yell and rage at this man who under the guise of protecting his sister was doing things to elevate himself rose within him.
Phillip had grown up in a world of cold people, where backstabbing and undercutting was a way of life. It was what people did to get ahead.
He leaned back, as if not completely tense and ready to punch Elonne in the face, and touched his fingers together even as he stared at Fyre’s brother.
“I will tell her no such thing. However, since you seem to be so concerned for the amount of work on her shoulders, I will do you one better. I will hire her full time here. So you, Elonne, can do the work she’d been doing and feel better that she is taken care of. I guarantee I pay far better than Mr. Caulfield ever can or will.” He rose. “Have a good day.”
All I have to do now is find her and explain this before he does. While a wish, it wasn’t likely to happen. He shrugged. He could explain it away later.
As if on cue, Keating stepped in and stood by Elonne’s chair, clearly waiting for him to rise as well. The man took the unspoken directive and got to his feet. No doubt the expression on his face alerted all that he wanted to say more, but he held his tongue.
After Keating escorted Elonne out of the room, Phillip sank back in his chair. Somehow he didn’t think that either Albie or Elonne would give up so quickly.
He worked, sort of, for another hour before tossing down his pen in defeat and calling for his horse, even as he moved through the house. Seated on the back of his chestnut, he touched his heels to him and they shot off. For a while he allowed the horse to pick the speed and just enjoyed the ride. Something he’d not done all that much since he’d arrived here.
Phillip rode back to the house once the horse was winded. He swung down before the stallion stopped and passed the reins over to a groomsman, who took them with a nod. Pulling off his gloves as he jogged up the steps to the door, he smacked them against his leg as he paused to allow the footman to open the door for him.
“Keating, have a bath sent up to my room.”
“Very good, my lord.”
He paced while he waited, anxious to get clean and soak for a bit. Footmen brought in the tub and maids along with other footmen followed carrying buckets of hot water.
He dismissed them all and stripped down to nothing before stepping into the tub. Despite the weather being hot as Hades here, he loved how the water soothed his muscles. And he needed that today. He’d not ridden like he’d done this afternoon in far too long.
Once he’d cleaned up, he leaned back and rested his head along the edge, eyes closed. Out of the million and one things he could have started thinking about, his mind chose Fyre.
He bit his lower lip and skimmed his hand down to his cock, grasping it and starting to stroke. Shit, this wasn’t right. He didn’t want to use his own hand. He wanted hers. Wanted her in every way possible.
Tightening his grip, he shortened his motions, making them faster and closer to the swollen head of his dick. He slid his other hand up his chest and pinched a nipple, gasping as lust shot through him.
How hot, tight and wet she would be streamed through his mind. Pinching the head of his shaft so he didn’t come so soon, he adjusted in the tub to get more comfortable. He needed this. Wanted it.
But he wanted it with the woman, not just her mental image. Harder he pulled. Faster he tugged, twisting his hand to add more friction. A moan slid free and it took him a bit to realize it had escaped his mouth.
“Fyre,” he whispered to the room as he squeezed his sac then pumped his hand like crazy as he came, hard.
It took a few moments to regain control of his breathing and to have legs strong enough to hold him when he got up. This woman was going to wreck him. Hell, perhaps she already had.
He dried off and dressed before calling for them to come take out the tub. As he walked down the steps he heard Keating at the door and paused. He wasn’t sure who was there and he was not necessarily ready for company.