Total pages in book: 17
Estimated words: 16040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 16040 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 80(@200wpm)___ 64(@250wpm)___ 53(@300wpm)
“Oh.” It’s crazy that I feel unsure about how to feel. In a matter of a minute, I vacillated between happy, angry, embarrassed, and sad. It must be because I’m sleepy.
“Come on. Let’s get some sleep.” The sheets have been pulled back already, so he lays me onto the bed and slides in next to me.
“I was sleeping,” I mumble.
He wraps his arm around my waist and cradles my body on his. “Without me. Now it’s time for us to get some sleep together.” Theo’s soft lips kiss my temple again, and his hand rubs my back until we both pass out.
Chapter Six
Theo
Absolutely shit was accomplished during my time in Springfield. It pissed me off because I had to stay away from Phoebe for a whole day for nothing. Coming into the house to find her sleeping on the sofa made my heart swell. I imagine she tried to stay up and wait for me. It eased that pain I had in my chest all day.
I’m back downstairs in my office, typing another email to the staff, informing them the transition is delayed until a later time. We have a dozen staff members moving down to the new facility in a month. Now it’s going to have to wait until I can figure out how bad this is going to set us back. Many of my employees already made arrangements to move with their families, so I need to figure out all the logistics and pay for their losses.
My phone goes off, and I’m afraid of what fuckup there is to deal with today. It’s actually Graham Hamilton, the owner of the cruise liner. “Hello, Mr. Hamilton.”
“Call me Graham. Unless you’ve changed your mind about the sale.”
“Ha. No. I’ve sent the paperwork to my lawyers completely signed. We have to meet with the agents handling that matter. I can be in the city tomorrow morning if that works for you.”
“That’s great. I can meet you at my lawyer’s office, and we can get this all done and over with.” We end the call with a time and location. I’m going to make my money back on the cruise liner within the next two years, if not sooner, but it’s about maxing out my businesses.
For the next three hours, I hardly leave my office, although most of the time, I don’t get a lick of work in. My thoughts were all on finding ways to make Phoebe happy. I’ve gone through her personal information and decided to create a special charity for kids like her who suffer from drug-addict parents. I hope she’s going to love that. Reading up on the matter, I learned that many of their lives are ruined, falling into the same habits or so beaten down that they don’t know how to get up.
Next order of business is to call my board to discuss the options for the Springfield building. It takes me an hour, but in the end, we’re all in agreement to move forward like we planned, even if the timetable is pushed back.
A knock at the door catches me by surprise. “Come in.” It’s Griselda.
“What’s wrong?”
“Sir. You missed lunch with Mrs. Christakos. I decided to bring it to you.”
“Shit. Thank you, Griselda.”
“Not a problem, sir.”
“Where is she?”
“In the library, reading a book.”
“Should I interrupt her?”
“I don’t know. You should never interrupt someone reading, but she may be waiting for you.”
“I’ll take my chances. Thanks.” I stand up after taking a bite of my sandwich. I bring my water with me and search for Phoebe. As I creep quietly into the library, the sound of giggling hits my ears. I stare at her, and she’s reading on her tablet.
She’s so perfect and happy that I don’t bother to disturb her. I walk back out and into my office, and push my lunch to the side. Working hard becomes my mission.
By three o’clock, I’m heading into the corporate offices for a meeting that I completely forgot was on my calendar. With rush-hour traffic just kicking in, I manage to make it into the meeting by four and out by six-thirty. The drive home, however, is a fucking nightmare. One thing after another keeps me from having dinner with Phoebe. I hate myself for this. I’ve essentially abandoned her. When I climb into bed, I pull her into my arms. Every time I hold her in my arms, I feel a sense of peace.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper, kissing her temple. She doesn’t move in my embrace. Again, I miss having the time to find a way for her to fall in love with me. I know she lusts for me like I do, but I want her to want it all.
Chapter Seven
Phoebe
It’s day four of my captivity. That’s what I’m calling it now. I’m held captive by a man who both captivates me and infuriates me all at once. Waking in his arms has been the highlight of my stay here so far. Most of the day, he’s at the office or working on some meeting. At night, we hardly speak; instead, he goes into his personal home office until I fall asleep. It’s then that he climbs in my bed at night, holding me close like he’s afraid I’m going to escape.