A Bossy Roommate (Next Door to a Billionaire #2)

8. Carter

8

CARTER

5:00 A.M.

I wake up to the sound of my alarm—and someone singing. It takes my sleep-addled brain a good five seconds to remember I’m no longer alone in my apartment. Right. Eden. My new assistant. My temporary roommate and fake fiancée. The one who almost set my apartment on fire last night.

It’s been the most peculiar twenty-four hours I’ve had in a long time.

I ease myself out of bed, taking a moment to wake up. And listen. The singing is soft and comes from the direction of the kitchen. After a while, I hear it travel through the living room and down the hall. It stops once the guest suite bathroom opens and closes. It starts again as soon as the shower turns on, annoyingly loud. “Walking on Sunshine,” of all songs. It feels strange having another person in the apartment with me. I haven’t lived with anyone in a long time and that’s on purpose. I like my space and rarely enjoy it being invaded. Even when my aunt comes to visit, I start to get antsy for my solitude— especially once she starts playing matchmaker with every Jane, Alice, and Sarah she knows.

I’m not going to let the week throw me off.

Despite the new addition in my life, I’m determined to go about my daily routine. After a series of stretches, I throw on a pair of shorts and a T-shirt and head to my gym.

It has everything I need: free weights, a treadmill, an elliptical, and a punching bag. On one of the walls is a flat screen which I turn on to catch the local business report. While I watch, I hop on the treadmill and start running at a steady sprint. I enjoy running. It helps me center myself, to focus. Nothing beats the burning of my muscles first thing in the morning, followed by a cold shower.

“Whoa! I didn’t know you had a gym!”

Eden’s upbeat voice forces my eyes away from the TV. She stands in the doorway in nothing but a robe as she rubs her wet hair with a towel. I look away to avoid staring at the way water clings to her partially exposed chest.

“You’re welcome to use any of the equipment,” I offer. “Just not first thing in the morning. It’s my time.”

She grins. “What, you can’t share?”

“It’s not about sharing, it’s about my routine being messed up. I have a strict workout regimen, and I loathe deviations. Why are you awake this early anyway? You don’t have to be in for another two hours.”

“Couldn’t sleep,” she says, resting the towel around her neck. “Also, I really wanted to apologize again about last night.”

“What the hell were you doing with matches?”

“I put a candle in the cupcake as a mini celebration. After all, I did just get engaged, even though it’s a sham.”

The mental image of her alone on the balcony blowing out a candle strikes a chord with me. I try to ignore the feeling and return my focus to the news. “I’ll be done running in ten minutes. Breakfast should be here in twenty. I leave for work in forty.”

“You have breakfast delivered ?”

The question is about as unexpected as finding a penguin in the desert. “Of course.”

“Well, that’s one stylish way to kickstart the day. Also, are you sure you don’t want me to come in earlier? It doesn’t make sense for me to hang around here doing nothing when there’s stuff that can be done at work.”

“If you want to. Obviously, we can’t drive in together.”

“About that, I don’t really have gas in my car.”

I remember her telling me yesterday about not having enough money to buy gas. I’d thought it was an exaggeration in order to work out a better deal for herself. I hadn’t believed she actually didn’t have enough to cover all of her basic needs. I stop the treadmill. It slows enough for me to step off, and when I do, I turn to give her my full attention. “I will pay for your gas.”

Eden sighs, fiddling with the towel around her neck. “No, no, please. I don’t want that.”

“Then how are you going to get into work?”

She gives me a nonchalant shrug. “I’ll catch the train. Or better, I’ll walk. I love walking, that’s how I stay fit. It’s not that far.”

“It’s at least a forty-five-minute walk, and that doesn’t count waiting for traffic to stop.”

“Easy-peasy. I’ll have plenty of time to get there before my day starts.”

Her optimism is on the verge of naivety. She has no idea what the city is like, and I doubt she’s prepared for the city’s unpredictable weather, nor to join the mass of impatient born-and-bred New Yorkers who flood the streets every morning.

“Okay, here’s what we’ll do then. I’ll add you to my Uber account,” I say, pulling my phone out of my pocket. “You can use that until your first paycheck.”

“Carter, it’s really not a big deal. I’ll just walk.”

“What about when it rains? Or when it gets really hot? Or when you’re late?”

“Then I’m going to use the train.”

“No, you’ll use my Uber. At least that way I know you’ll make it to work on time.”

“Way to do something nice while simultaneously making it sound bad.”

“Eden, don’t argue with me. Just take the Uber.”

“Okay then.” Her shoulder drops, and she gives me a genuine smile. “Thank you.”

Once she gives me her info, I follow the app’s prompts to add her name and phone number to my profile. After a quick second on my phone, I put it back in my pocket. “There, you should receive the invitation. I’ve got to get ready.”

I shower and dress. By the time I finish fastening my cufflinks, there’s a knock on the front door.

“I got it!” Eden calls brightly.

I hear her open the door, and a few seconds of exchanged pleasantries with the delivery man. A moment later, he leaves, and the unmistakable British accent of Mrs. Hutton floats through the front door of my apartment.

“Good morning, Eden, dear. You look very lovely today!”

“Thank you, Hattie. Would you like to come in?”

Don’t invite her in , I think as I leave my room. It’s not that I dislike my neighbor, it’s that she’s chatty, and pulling away from a conversation takes more time than I have available. When I reach the hallway, Eden is standing there with the bags of food. Hattie is still in the hall.

“Good morning, Mrs. Hutton,” I greet her. “Eden, we better hurry. We’ve got to get to work.”

Thankfully, Eden is smart enough to take the hint. So is our elderly neighbor. “Oh gosh, of course. You two enjoy your breakfast before it gets cold.”

I take the bags from Eden and turn to carry them to the table around the corner. Mrs. Hutton stops Eden from leaving. Under her breath, thinking I won’t hear, I hear her whisper, “Such a handsome young man. Stern and grumpy, I know, but handsome nonetheless. Anyway, the reason I popped in, dear, was just to make sure you made it through the night safe.”

“Perfectly safe, Hattie,” I hear Eden whisper back, brushing over the fact she almost set the whole apartment building on fire. “Thank you for asking, that’s very thoughtful of you.”

“I must tell you, I heard some rather peculiar noises. High-pitched shrieks and sudden whooshing sounds.” I imagine Mrs. Hutton opening her eyes dramatically as she always does when she discovers a neighborhood scandal unfolding right before her very eyes. “You must have heard it as well, love?”

“Oh…I wish I had. Sounds quite the spectacle!” I hear Eden snort-laugh.

“It may well have been Myrtle causing a ruckus. She has a habit of hunting mice when sleep eludes her, and then she kindly stashes her trophies under my bed.”

Eden laughs and says her goodbyes before closing the door. “That woman is a trip,” she says, joining me at the table. “She’s officially the sweetest and funniest person I’ve met in the city so far. Actually, probably the sweetest and funniest person I’ve ever met.”

Wait ’til you meet my aunt.

“You must have lived a very sheltered life.” I’ve barely picked up my fork to scarf down my egg-white veggie omelet with cheese and grilled whole-wheat toast before my phone rings. Knowing only one person who calls me this early, I answer it immediately.

“What do you want, Bradley?” I ask, spearing a piece of omelet onto my fork.

“Is that any way to talk to your best friend?” he asks.

“It is when he interrupts my breakfast.”

I’ve known Bradley Everhart all my life. He and I had started working at Legacy around the same time. After several years, he was transferred to the Connecticut office where he continues to thrive under the CEO, Nathan Bernie. Just like me, he’s not on the board yet. We’re in the same boat, both in senior executive positions, overseeing the day-to-day operations, waiting for the older generation to retire and pass the torch.

“I’ll be there in person for the meeting today,” he says. “Don’t make any plans. I’m taking you out to lunch.”

“Why, what did you do?”

“Always so suspicious.”

“I’ve only known you for too long.”

“And yet it’s still not long enough, right? But you’re dead on. I’ve heard some whispers that I think you’ll be interested in.”

I know precisely what Bradley is trying to convey. “Whispers” is code for him having information about the partners that he doesn’t want to discuss out in the open. Bradley knows I hate gossip, and he knows better than to bring it up to me unless there’s substance to it.

My interest piqued, I say, “Works for me. I’ll have my assistant make lunch reservations at Giuseppe’s.”

“Ohhh, you finally got a new assistant? How is she?”

I glance across the table at Eden who is busy eating her breakfast and scrolling on her phone. “We’ll talk later.”

“See ya, bro.”

I end the call and put my phone down. Eden glances up at me. “Everything okay?”

“It’s fine.”

“But has anyone told you that you work too much?”

My eyebrows shoot up. “Old news.”

Eden shrugs, focusing back on her food. “Old news? It’s timeless. It’s just my observation being around you for the last thirty-plus hours. You’re on your phone with work all the time.”

“Just because we’re technically engaged doesn’t mean you get to play the nagging wife.”

“ Fake engaged. And just because you’re my supervisor doesn’t mean you can play the grumpy boss when we’re not at work.”

“Another ground rule,” I say, picking up my ringing phone again. “I don’t want to hear a peep about how many hours I work. Speaking of which, make sure the partners are clued in that I won’t be reachable this weekend due to family business. Keep my schedule open Saturday and Sunday. If there’s something on my agenda, reschedule it.”

Eden only nods in response. I quickly finish my food while I answer several more phone calls. I’m out the door at my usual time, heading into the office before everyone else. I like getting there early. Usually, that’s my only time to get work done without being constantly interrupted. Though now I have an assistant, I expect things to run more smoothly.

Legacy Builders is a large firm and growing larger by the day. We’ve recently acquired several smaller firms throughout the city and our reach continues to expand. I’ve overseen at least a dozen mergers and takeovers, one of them particularly huge, with several more in negotiations. We’re on the verge of becoming one of the leading construction firms in the state.

I know we can do that and more.

I have a five-year plan to expand Legacy through several states across the country. But Huxley won’t let me pull the trigger. His reasons to “not rush anything” and “act cautiously” make no sense. The economy is thriving, we have the resources and skilled labor. Expanding is the logical next step. Problem is, with Huxley’s seat at the partners’ table, I can only do so much. I’m not too worried though. I know his time at the company is limited.

An hour later, I’m focused on preparing for my morning meetings when I hear the glass door to the office’s lobby open and Eden turn on her computer. Twenty-five minutes later, I stand up from my desk and leave my office to talk to her face to face.

“Good morning, Mr. Bancroft,” she says cheerfully as if we hadn’t had breakfast together earlier. Good. I appreciate her sticking to her role. “I’ve been through all your messages, and the important ones should be in your inbox.”

“I saw. Listen, I’m expecting a visit from Bradley Everhart this morning. He’s not on the schedule, but you can send him in when he gets here.”

“Bradley Everhart, a COO, just like you, but of the Connecticut branch,” Eden says promptly, already familiar with the basics. “Got it. Is there anything you need me to do to prepare for his arrival?”

“Can you make reservations?—”

“To Giuseppe’s?” Eden suggests. “I took the liberty of checking out the best restaurants on my Uber ride in.”

Hmm. I guessed there was something positive that would come out of sharing a space with my assistant. Still, I can’t help but feel suspicious of Eden’s peppy behavior.

She stares back at me. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m trying to figure you out.”

“Come again?”

“I said, I’m trying to figure you out.”

“There’s nothing to figure out, Mr. Bancroft. I’m here for a change and a fresh start. Nothing else. Also, if memory serves, I already told you all that last night, and…the night before.”

Her cheeks flush at the mention of our night together and I have to focus on her. Her flush makes me think about her naked in that dark motel room, with that redness spreading across those full tits while I kissed my way down her stomach.

Heat simmers between us.

It only lasts a second before Eden pulls back and clears her throat.

“Anything else I can do for you, sir?”

“Just your job.”

Once back at my desk, I get back to work. Sometime later I hear the door open, and Bradley’s booming voice as he says, “Well, hello there. Who might you be?”

Rolling my eyes affectionately, I go back out to greet him. Bradley is leaning against Eden’s desk, giving her what he calls his “panty-dropping” smile. Eden smiles back and extends her hand to shake his.

“Mr. Everhart, I presume?” she asks.

“Aw, I’m flattered. You know my name, but I don’t know yours.”

“Eden Ryan. I’m Mr. Bancroft’s new assistant.”

“ Welcome .” Bradley turns to look at me, giving me a “you lucky son of a bitch” gaze.

Eden raises an eyebrow and before she can say anything, I save her from my best friend’s shameless flirting. “Come in. We don’t have that much time before the meeting.”

I gesture for Bradley to follow me into my office. I give Eden a reassuring expression, one that tells her Bradley has a solid character, usually . Understanding my hint, her demeanor softens. I want her to feel safe and not creeped out, and I can tell that my approval puts her at ease.

Bradley is one of the guys you can count on no matter what. He’s smart, caring, and she’ll soon understand that he was just messing with me . Even though Eden’s stay is limited, it’s important that she feels comfortable in our company.

Bradley gives Eden a small wave before he closes the door behind us. Once we’re alone, he lets out a low whistle. “Pheeew. Dude . Good for you. What’s her deal?”

“You don’t want to go there, Bradley.” I take my seat again and motion for him to join me. “What are you doing in town?”

“Ohhh no, no, no, we’re not changing the subject that quickly.” Bradley sits across from me. “Your new assistant. Tell me where you found her.” He waggles his eyebrows.

“Stop being creepy. She’s only here for six months, not to mention she’s getting married this Thursday.”

“Fuck, that sucks. Lucky son of a gun.” Bradley stares at me for a second, eyes suddenly narrowing in playful distrust. “You said that fast. Did you ask her out already and get turned down? I’ve never known you to learn anything about your assistants’ personal lives, not even after months of working together.”

I sigh heavily and rub my temples. “It’s complicated.”

“Booo. Shitty fiancé?”

“I’m her fiancé.”

Bradley’s eyes go wide as his mouth falls open. “I’m sorry, Carr, I think I misheard you. Did you just say that you’re the lucky SOB she’s going to marry this Thursday?”

“It’s a long story but yes.”

“She’s pregnant.”

“No.”

“But you slept with her?”

I give him that look.

“Okay, now you’re really going to have to tell me what’s going on.”

I give him a quick version of what had gone down. How she and I had had a one-night stand two nights ago and how she needed a place to stay. When I get to the part with my aunt and me needing a fake wife, Bradley shakes his head.

“Rookie move, bro.” He chuckles. “You should’ve invented a wife who travels. That way you wouldn’t be in this mess.”

“It’ll be fine. It’s just for the weekend.”

“The marriage will be. But she’s still staying with you for two weeks. You gonna show her your Big Apple?”

“We agreed to no sex. Not when she’s working for me.” While Bradley enjoys his popularity among our female staff—not as much as he enjoys getting a rise out of me by asking stupid questions or making absurd remarks—he and I both live by the “no sex with employees” rule.

“Yeah, sure, employees are taboo. But, the curves on her, sheeesh. She’s only here for a brief time. Dude, she’ll be wearing your ring—that’s your free pass. You can bang your fake wifey, can’t you? Why not have some fun while you can?”

“Shut the fuck up. I’m done talking about Eden. Are you going to stop stalling and tell me why you’re here in person?”

“All right.” Bradley leans back in his seat. “You’re not gonna like it.”

“Shoot.”

“I caught the tail end of my boss chatting with Huxley. He’s planning to veto any changes you suggest at the sales meeting today.”

“I know.” I huff in annoyance. “Any time I make changes to sales policy and procedure, Huxley tries to go behind my back and attempts to undermine me. You’d think so long as it improves numbers it wouldn’t matter.”

“You know it’s not about numbers with him.”

Saul Huxley is a giant pain in my ass. He’s been with the company since its inception, and because of that, he thinks he knows best. It also means he has a lot of connections and is well respected. At one point I let myself be misled by all the hoopla as well. But the longer we work together, the more I’m starting to see him for who he really is—a shrewd, self-centered businessman who will deny change unless he’s the one presenting it. Ever since I started trying to expand Legacy, he’s made it his life’s mission to turn down every single proposal I present. Even if it has nothing to do with expansion.

It only makes me more determined. I’ve never failed at anything in my life, and I don’t intend to start now.

“You could’ve just called,” I say. “You didn’t need to come in person and tell me what I already suspected. Huxley can fight all he wants. We’re moving forward with the change that was implemented at the Connecticut office.”

“First off, I figured it wouldn’t hurt for you to have backup from someone who has firsthand knowledge that your ideas work, including the newest policy you set up. Secondly, I’ve got a meeting lined up for later. But those aren’t the sole motives behind my presence.” Bradley’s eyes sparkle and he sits up, a clear indication he has an ace up his sleeve. “There’s been talk that a few of our clients are going to be leaving us for Ecclestone Construction.”

“That kind of talk happens all the time,” I say, waving my hand dismissively. “Every few months people get it in their heads that Legacy and Ecclestone are fighting for clients. We don’t have to fight them—our reputation speaks for itself. There’s never been any evidence behind the rumors.”

“Except this time, it’s different.”

I shake my head in disbelief. “How so?”

“One of my sales associates had their most recent prospective client swiped out from under him at the last moment by Ecclestone, undercutting us with scary accuracy. Only someone with insider information would have known what the exact quote was we provided.”

Goddammit. I mull over what Bradley said. Damn office gossip. Ecclestone, in particular, seems to be everyone’s favorite villain, living up to his name as a dishonest and immoral player on the chessboard, feeding the rumor mill nonstop. Things went quiet for a while around Ecclestone’s CEO after some major scandal that I didn’t pay much attention to. But apparently, shortly before shit hit the fan, Edmund Ecclestone signed the firm over to his nephew. I’m not “in the know” of what happened then. I have an aversion to gossip. However, if what Bradley is saying is true, I probably need to start paying attention.

That being said, one instance is hardly a reason to panic.

“We’ll keep an eye on it and make sure it’s not a recurring issue,” I tell him. “Is there anything else?”

“Just that the other partners are growing tired of Huxley’s…hesitancy.”

I perk up. First good thing I’ve heard all day. “How so?”

“I believe Bernie’s exact words were, ‘Saul, give up this crusade on Bancroft. Get on board with the changes or suggest some of your own.’”

Leave it to Bradley to bury the lead. That is something new. Nathan Bernie, the CEO of the company who operates from Connecticut (and thus the person Bradley directly reports to), and the other partners have always backed Huxley’s decisions. They always present a united front. But it seems that front is cracking. I know if I keep persisting something is going to give.

Mood improved, I smack the table. “That’s what I like to hear.”

Bradley grins, offering me his fist. “I thought you’d appreciate that. We’re not the only ones who are getting tired of Huxley. He’s clinging to a past that doesn’t exist anymore. The other partners are all in their seventies and ready for retirement. Soon, he’s not going to have any choice.”

“Any idea when Bernie will be heading out the door?”

Bradley shakes his head with a sigh. “Nah. Not any time soon.”

I check the time. “All right, let’s go to the conference room. It’s time for the meeting.”

I walk out of the office, pausing by Eden’s desk along the way. “Eden, reschedule my two o’clock with Mr. Miller. I want it scheduled for one o’clock tomorrow afternoon. Switch Mr. Banks into that empty two o’clock spot. Then I need you to get the copy of the Parker file out of the filing cabinet and go through it from front to back. There’s a checklist on the inside cover. I need you to compare it to what’s in the file and let me know if anything is missing. We were waiting on several items. Compile the list, then reach out to Parker for any missing items. Study the Grangers’ profile. But first, get familiar with the Harbor View Developments account ASAP. We’ll be meeting with them in two days and that only gives us today and Wednesday to finalize the slideshow we’ve been working on for weeks. Confirm the time and date while you’re at it. You got all that?”

Eden had been scribbling furiously as I listed orders. When I’m done, she looks up and smiles. “Got it. Have a good meeting.”

In the conference room, everything is set and ready to go. Saul Huxley is already there, sitting at the head of the table in the seat I usually claim.

Without batting an eye, I take the seat on the other end. “Morning, Huxley,” I say as Bradley takes the seat nearest mine. “Where is everybody?”

“Morning.” Huxley barely even looks at me as he ignores my question. Instead, he keeps his gaze on his phone, typing away. “Everhart, good to see you. I’m surprised Bernie sent you in his place.”

“Bernie sends his regards.” Bradley adjusts his jacket, unfazed by Huxley’s aloofness. “I’m head of sales, and he trusts me to report back to him with relevant information.”

“Does he now? Well, I was always more hands-on than he was.” Huxley puts his phone down, and with his gaze trained on me, he folds his hands, resting them on the shiny top of the wooden conference table. “Since we’re all here, we can get started.”

I raise my eyebrow, noting the empty seats. “I’m sure the other sales staff would be happy to be here for this, given it pertains to them.”

“I informed them that their attendance isn’t necessary. You need to run these policies by me before bringing them to the team,” Huxley says, waving his hand dismissively. “ I’ll decide if it’s something we’ll be moving forward to implement.”

Typical Huxley. No matter how many times we’ve gone back and forth about changes, he’ll always come back to me at the last minute as if we haven’t discussed anything. It’s his way of trying to trip me up, trying to find a hole in my logic or something I haven’t thought of. Every time, he’s proven wrong.

“If you insist,” I say simply, not backing down.

I spend the next fifteen minutes outlining the new procedures. Bradley has already proven their effectiveness by testing them with his staff. Since then, they’ve received a near five-percent increase in sales conversation over the last ninety days. It doesn’t sound like much, but it adds up to huge amounts. I’m confident that my team will be able to do even better, considering I hand-picked them myself and know what they’re capable of.

When I’m done talking, Huxley drums his fingers on the table. “Ninety days hardly seems like a long enough time to prove you’ll be effective in the long run,” he argues dismissively. “I say we wait another ninety days just to be on the safe side.”

“We measure all reports by the ninety-day mark, and it’s been well-established that it’s the right indication of our progress.”

“Our normal day-to-day progress, yes. But not when it comes to new trends.”

“I thought you might say that.” I pick up the remote on the table and point it at the screen on the wall. A new report appears, revealing significantly more growth. “Which is why Bradley and his team implemented the change in procedure thirty days before the original launch date. The team has already been prepped and ready to go, so it doesn’t make sense to delay.”

Huxley remains silent. I notice him clenching his jaw.

“With the additional thirty days, that brings our increased sales to fifteen percent. More than enough of a margin of growth to indicate progress.” Fifteen percent isn’t more than enough, it’s spectacular. He knows that.

Huxley tears his eyes away from me to look at Bradley. “And the transition process?” he asks in a sharp voice.

“Manageable and smooth,” Bradley says without missing a beat. “Carter has done the training in person and the both of us worked with staff to ensure they were more than prepared.”

I can virtually see the gears turning in Huxley’s head as he tries to think of another angle. But I’m no stranger to his tactics and haven’t given him an inch.

“I don’t see the reason to change at all,” he finally concludes. “The way we do things now has proven to work in the past. No reason to fix what isn’t broken.”

“I don’t believe in the whole ‘we’ve always done it this way’ mentality,” I tell him. “If we’re blinded by what we know works, we’re missing a wider audience. Things aren’t the same as they were twenty years ago—hell, they’re not the same as they were five years ago. We can either adapt or fade into obscurity.”

Needless to say, the rest of the meeting goes about as well as the beginning. Eventually, Huxley has no choice but to call the rest of the sales team in to be debriefed. As I speak to them and reveal the timeline for implementing the new procedures, Huxley throws his two cents in here and there. I address all concerns without issues, unwilling to show my subordinates exactly how pissed off I’m getting at our boss.

By the time it’s all over, I want to lock myself in my office for some peace and quiet. I don’t get a chance to touch base with Bradley after. He has to step out to attend another meeting in the city. We’ll meet up later at lunch.

When I get back to the office, Eden looks up from her computer with a smile. Which promptly fades when she sees my face. “Everything okay?”

“Fine,” I say, not having the time for pleasantries. “Did you make those changes I asked for?”

“Yes, sure did. I switched Mr. Miller to tomorrow at one and called Mr. Parker to schedule him for two o’clock this afternoon.”

“Mr. Banks.”

“Pardon?”

“I told you to call Mr. Banks for today. Mr. Parker is the one whose file you were supposed to be organizing.”

Eden’s face falls. “I’m so sorry,” she says, looking at her notes. “I must have gotten the names mixed up.”

I try not to let anger take center stage. “Listen, I don’t have time to hold your hand. If you can’t keep a simple set of instructions straight, then maybe this isn’t the job for you. Get on the phone, call Mr. Parker’s office, and tell them that you made a mistake. Fix this now, Eden.”

She nods, her face pale. “Yes, sir.”

I march off to my office. Between Huxley trying to undermine me and Eden screwing up my schedule, I’m properly annoyed. It doesn’t help that Aunt Eleanor will be arriving in four days, and on top of everything, I have to prep Eden for her visit and let her know exactly what she needs to say or do when around my aunt. It’s vital that she retains the information I give her.

I throw myself into my work, blocking everything else out until lunchtime rolls around. I get a text from Bradley, letting me know he’s on his way to Giuseppe’s. I welcome the break.

Eden smiles when I leave my office, though it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. “I fixed the issue with the schedule,” she says promptly. “Mr. Banks will be here for two o’clock.”

“Good. Don’t let it happen again. Also, how are the preparations for Thursday going?”

“Thursday eleven o’clock with Harbor View Developments in Phoenix is confirmed, and ‘everything else’ is set.” She puts a special emphasis on “everything else.”

Good. One less headache. Our Las Vegas pit stop will be perfectly masked by a meeting our potential client had planned months ago.

Eden flips a page, saying, “Friday after work would be best to sit down and go over the details for the weekend.”

“Fine, we’ll do it after work. I’m going out to lunch. Did you take a look at that Parker file?”

“I’m working on it right now.”

“See that it’s done before I get back. What about the Harbor View Developments account?”

“I’m working on it next.”

“Get up to speed on that ASAP. There’s a list with brochures and reports I need you to collect in the archive room for our meeting. Ask Jaylin for help if you can’t find anything. She was involved when we reorganized the room.”

I leave her to her work and drive to meet Bradley. We arrive at the same time, and the hostess leads us to our reserved table. They have my favorite table ready for us. Bradley and I order our usual, and once the waiter leaves to put in our order, Bradley gives me a sympathetic smile.

“God,” he says, “I’ve never met anyone who fights so hard against change than Huxley. It’s ridiculous.”

“Welcome to my life. I can handle Huxley.”

“Speaking of handling,” Bradley says with a grin. “Now that we’re not in the office, I need more details on that wifey roommate of yours. Tell me about the night you spent together. How good was it?”

Annoyance with Huxley aside, I think about the one-night stand. It was definitely memorable. I meet his gaze. “None of your business.”

“Let me guess—you snuck out while she was sleeping?”

“That’s what happened,” I answer, my irritation returning.

Bradley chuckles. “Bet that was a shock walking into work to find your one-night stand there. So why aren’t you two going to knock boots while she’s staying with you?”

“I already told you why.”

“Yeah, but how does she feel about the whole thing?”

“She’s sworn off men for the next six months.”

A broad, ear-to-ear smile adorns Bradley’s lips, stretching across his face with exuberant delight. “Ohohoo…wow, dude . Were you really that bad that you turned her away from men in general?”

“Shut up. She was plenty satisfied when I was done with her.”

“You sure? Maybe she was faking it.”

“Maybe.”

“Maybe I could teach you a thing or two.”

I roll my eyes at his joke.

He leans in and lowers his voice. “You know that the louder a woman is in bed, the more she’s faking it. She is desperate to get it over with. The louder the screams, the worse your performance is. She wants you to finally bust. Women think that we think that the louder they are, the more they’re enjoying themselves. The opposite is true.”

“Who told you that?”

“Dude. Life taught me that.”

The waiter brings us our drinks, which we immediately pick up. Bradley lifts his in a toast. “In all seriousness, do you really think you can resist plowing her again?” he asks, tapping his glass to mine. “I mean if she wasn’t your assistant and hadn’t sworn off the opposite sex.”

I picture Eden beneath me.

The way her back had arched when I’d tasted her in the motel room. How her legs parted instinctively for me, how her hips begged for my tongue, and how her whole body shuddered when she came undone, grabbing fistfuls of the sheets, beautiful, desperate moans filling the room. Her eyes were hooded, her nipples perky, top teeth digging into her bottom lip when I’d pushed in. She softly moaned my name as she clutched onto my shoulders, just before I caught a speck of heartache in her pupils, one she’d been effectively concealing behind a fa?ade of confidence all night. She held onto me, onto my shoulders, her arms circling me tightly, fingernails digging into me, fully enveloped in the close embrace I offered her as I slowly filled her.

The way her body had wrapped around mine in the dark still made my heart stutter.

I’d feathered my lips across hers, locked eyes with her and pulled out and thrust back into her, pulsing deeper and deeper, fucking the sadness out of her. As long as she was with me, there would be no past to revisit.

There would only be us.

Her eyes had smiled at me when I’d fucked her. I’ll never forget those green eyes and that look.

She’d given me a similar look last night when I’d put the fire out on her balcony.

“Of course I can resist her,” I tell him. “It’s not going to happen, so there’s no use thinking about it.”

Bradley chuckles, taking a sip of his drink. “Famous last words. Buddy, she’s living with you now. Fake marriage scheme or not, sharing a space with someone you’ve had sex with and are physically attracted to can only go one way.”

“You act like I have no self-control. Have you met me?”

“You are the most controlled person I’ve ever met in my entire life, true. However, a man has needs. Don’t tell me you’re not jerking off to her.”

That almost gets a rise out of me.

It’s no surprise that Bradley thinks I wouldn’t be able to handle living with Eden without trying to guide her to my bed. The reason we’re such good buddies is that we share the same philosophy. Our focus lies on relationship building. Having their best interest in mind, listening to them , caring. Everyone wants something. Knowing what other people want is the key to success in partnerships, deals, and negotiations. By understanding their objectives and desires, we figure out how to establish arrangements that are advantageous for all parties involved, resulting in win-win situations, and ultimately stronger relationships. The stronger the relationship, the stronger the team, the stronger we are as a company.

In this case, however, the one thing I want from Eden most is neither a relationship nor sex.

It’s her cooperation to deal with my aunt.

“My needs are just fine, thank you,” I tell Bradley, ready to end the subject. “Speaking of needs, whatever happened to that real estate agent from London you were trying to hook up with?”

At the mention of his own sex life, Bradley’s eyes light up. “Oh, man, dude, you’re in for a story. So, we met up with Jane last week…”