Crewe

I was planning on taking a trip back to Fair Isle, to have some quiet time on an island in the middle of the sea, but due to the extra work Ariel’s absence had caused, I didn’t have that luxury. Her presence in the company was vital because it allowed me to have the freedom to do what I wanted, when I wanted.

But now that freedom had been taken away.

I could pay someone else a ton of money to do it for me, but I was meticulous when it came to my business, and everything needed to be done correctly. I couldn’t trust a stranger to care about the details between the lines, the image I was trying to maintain.

My legacy was on the line.

I was sitting in my office when London walked inside, looking beautiful in a deep blue dress that Dimitri had recently bought for her. He took a picture to my designer in London, and she handpicked all the clothes that would complement London’s figure.

She was worth every cent.

Her hair was pulled back in an elegant updo, and she looked like she was born in this castle the way I was. “Ready for lunch?”

I eyed my watch. “It’s ten.”

She welcomed herself into my lap, straddling my hips and sitting right on my crotch. I wasn’t hard at the moment, but that was about to change. “You caught me. I just wanted an excuse to see you.” Her arms circled my neck, and she looked at me with that playful expression I’d come to worship.

If I didn’t have a ton of work to do, I’d blow off the workday and take her into the city to do something fun. But I had meetings and paperwork…the nightmare never ended. I never would have opened that second distillery if I’d known Ariel was going to leave. If I didn’t want to work all the time, I might have to sell it.

But instead of saying any of that to London, I shut my laptop. “We can get a second breakfast.”

“I’m actually pretty full. Maybe we can take a walk or something? Make love against a tree.”

I smiled. “You have a thing for public places?”

“No.” She smiled back. “I just have a thing for you.”

Now my cock was rock-hard. I could see the love in her eyes without searching to find it. It was a look I got from some women, but not to the same degree. The look I got from London was special, something she probably hadn’t given to anyone else. “Good answer.” I pulled her harder into me and kissed her, wanting a quick embrace before I stood up. But like usual, the kiss developed into something more. She ground her hips and rocked against me, stroking my cock against her clit. We breathed into each other’s mouths as she ground against me, the friction feeling great for both of us.

Now I wasn’t leaving this office. I was gonna fuck her on my lap right then and there, not giving a damn about all the work that was piling up at that very moment. All I would need to do was pull her thong over and undo my slacks. Then I would slide into home plate, feeling that warm and wet channel.

A knock sounded on my door. “Sir?” Dunbar’s voice entered the room.

I growled against London’s mouth then pulled away. “What is it?” London moved her lips to my neck and kissed me anyway, dragging that sexy tongue across my skin to the corner of my mouth.

“Ariel is here to see you.”

She was? Why?

London stilled against me, her breaths landing on my neck.

“What does she want?”

“Didn’t say,” Dunbar replied.

Did she forget something else? Or did she realize this whole thing was idiotic? “Lovely, we’ll pick this up later.”

She got off my lap and straightened her dress. “Okay.” She walked out the door, Dunbar’s wide frame appearing in view. He normally opened the door when he wanted to speak to me, but he probably second-guessed it when London was inside with me.

“Send her in,” I commanded.

Dunbar shut the door and disappeared again.

I didn’t know what to expect from Ariel, but I tried not to get my hopes up too high. Chances were, she just forgot something or had a financial document that needed to be signed. She wouldn’t change her mind unless she had a very good reason to.

Ariel entered my office in the dark clothing she always wore. Her glasses were back on the brim of her nose, and she carried herself with more class than the Queen of England. She strode toward me and took a seat in the armchair facing my enormous desk.

I couldn’t get a good reading on her. “How can I help you, Ariel?”

“I’ve done some thinking.”

I rested my hands together in my lap, my cock soft the second London walked out the door.

“I’ve loved working with you for the past ten years. I’ve always seen you as something more than a business partner, more like a friend.”

Hope surged in my heart. “As have I.”

“And I don’t want to walk away from this business. I can learn to accept London in time. All I ask is that you be more astute this time around.”

As insulting as it was, that statement was fair. “She won’t be a problem.”

“If that’s the case, do you still want me?”

I couldn’t suppress the smile on my lips, feeling the relief wash over me like a tide. It was a stupid question, and we both knew it. “You already know the answer.”

She rose from her chair then extended her hand. “It’s good to be back.”

I shook her hand. “It is. Work has been shitty since the second you walked away.”

She chuckled. “Nothing you couldn’t handle.”

“I could handle it—just didn’t enjoy it.” I dropped my hand and slid both palms into my pockets. “So, you want to start fresh tomorrow? Take the rest of the day off to enjoy your last bit of freedom.”

“Sounds fair. I’ll bring my lawyer so we can reinstate everything.”

“Okay.”

She gave me a slight wave before she walked out. “Until tomorrow.”

“Until tomorrow,” I repeated.

Once the door was shut and I was alone with my thoughts, overwhelming relief washed through me. Ariel wasn’t just important to me because she ran my businesses like a boss, but because of the comfortable friendship we had formed. Getting that back made me realize I couldn’t take her for granted ever again.

Dimitri rapped his knuckles on the door before he poked his head inside. “Can I speak to you for a second, sir?”

“Certainly.” I was in such a good mood I’d probably give him a raise if he asked for it. “What’s up?”

He approached my desk then lowered his voice, not that anyone could overhear us talking. “Ariel has returned?”

I nodded. “Things will go back to normal.”

He rubbed the back of his head then stared at the floor.

“Anything else?”

“Uh…I’m not sure how to say this…not even sure what I’m reporting.”

“Okay…” I narrowed my eyes, my mood taking a serious dive with his odd behavior. “Just spit it out, then.”

“The other day when Ariel left, London met her outside and they talked for a while. I don’t know what was said, but the conversation went on for a while.”

My interest immediately picked up. “What day was this?”

“When Ariel came to pick up her jewelry.”

“Interesting.”

“And then Ariel comes back a few days later…I find it suspicious.”

I found it suspicious too. “Thanks for letting me know, Dimitri.”

“Of course, sir.” He walked out and shut the door behind him.

I took a seat and crossed my legs, my fingertips rubbing against my jawline. The fact that London hadn’t mentioned any of this to me told me something significant happened, and it was peculiar for Ariel to change her mind.

And that meant London said something to make Ariel reconsider.

In that moment, I felt like a very lucky man. The woman I loved did whatever she could to keep my business partner in my life, even though she personally hated the woman. Despite our shaky beginning, she really proved her loyalty to me. She cared about my happiness, even if it sabotaged her own.

That was real love.

I wouldn’t take it for granted.

London immediately questioned me when I returned to the royal chambers. “What happened?”

I adjusted my cuff links and did my best to keep a stoic expression. “Ariel changed her mind. She starts again tomorrow.”

London did such a remarkable job with her performance. Even though I knew she had something to do with it, she nearly fooled me into believing her innocence. “Wow. That’s incredible. I’m relieved.”

I inserted my hands in my pockets as I walked closer to her. “I’m glad to have her back. She makes my life a lot less complicated.”

“I know. You’ve been working a lot…”

A smile formed on my lips as I looked at her, seeing the genuine happiness in her eyes. “It’s too bad you two don’t get along. Looks like you’ll be seeing a lot more of her.”

“She’s not so bad,” she whispered. “When she’s around, I see you more. So, this is a win for me.”

“Yeah.” I could have told her I knew everything. I was tempted. I wanted her to know I appreciated the gesture she made for me, that she pressured Ariel into staying, whatever her argument was. I wanted London to know it meant a lot to me that she cared about my happiness so much. But not saying anything at all made it just as special. She proved she loved me without getting anything in return. So I kept it to myself and chose to stare at her instead. “I love you.”

Her eyes softened at the unexpected words. When she was emotionally moved, she looked even more beautiful. She looked even more gorgeous than she did when she said she loved me when we made love. She looked perfect. “I love you too.”

Like nothing happened, Ariel came to work the following day and picked up where she left off. She caught up on everything she had missed, rearranged the data sheets, and managed to pick up another client all within the first hour.

She was definitely a hustler.

In the afternoon, we had a meeting with a client in Edinburg. He owned a branch of high-end restaurants in Greece, and he was interested in making a large order of scotch on a regular basis. Since he was considered a VIP, we met him in person—and even I tagged along.

We got through the meal and signed the papers at the end. He had to leave to catch his flight, so he left us with the bill—not that it made a difference to us. It gave us more time to enjoy the bottle of wine we hadn’t finished.

“That was easy,” Ariel said. “Now he’s in our top ten.”

“Easy money.” I checked my phone for emails before I drank my wine again. Having Ariel at my side made everything smooth. I enjoyed her company as well as her brilliance. “Where did you find him anyway?”

“Cassandra,” she explained. “She’s friends with his brother-in-law.”

“I’ll have to thank her next time I see her.”

“I’ll thank her for you.” She winked then drank her wine.

I didn’t know much about Cassandra, other than the fact that Ariel adored her. “What does Cassandra do for a living?”

“She’s a lawyer.”

That didn’t surprise me. Ariel seemed like someone who would be drawn to another successful person. “What kind of law does she practice?”

“Mainly divorce cases. But she enjoys it.”

“That’s great. The four of us should have dinner together sometime. I’d love to get to know her better.”

“Sounds like a plan.” Her nails were painted black, and she wore a gold bracelet that contrasted against her olive skin. Ariel was a natural beauty who accessorized minimally. Less was always more with her.

“Dimitri told me he saw you and London having a private conversation.”

Ariel swirled her wine like I said nothing of consequence.

She didn’t respond, so I pressed forward. “I don’t know what London said to you, but I’m glad she said it. I was pretty miserable when you left.”

She finally set down her wine and looked me in the eye. “I still don’t like her. I’ll never trust her. I’ll never forgive her. But I will say that she genuinely cares for you, and that’s the only thing I tolerate about her.”

My assumption had been confirmed, and it only made me fall for London harder. The scar over my chest was just a bad dream now. We had our differences, a difficult beginning, but everything had been worth it. Now I was happy again. “Maybe your tolerance can grow to fondness someday.”

“Unlikely, but possibly.” She poured herself another glass of wine. “But you know me. I always keep an open mind.”

“You do.” I tapped my glass against hers. “To new beginnings.”

She smiled. “To new beginnings.”