He chuckles and tucks the corner of it in around his waist with his thumb. “I can see that.” He walks over to me and kisses my forehead. “I meant, what are you doing getting up and dressed so fast? Somewhere to be?”
I stand, my heels making me much taller than usual, and almost at his eye level. “I’m going to work,” I say with clarity.
“No, you’re not.”
If I thought he was going to let it slide, I would have been wrong. “Yes, I am,” I reply.
“Please don’t argue with me, Arianna.”
“I’m not going to argue. I’m going to work. No argument.” I shrug, and continue to braid and pin my hair, so there are two neat braids that circle my head and keep my hair out of my face.
“What if—”
“What if, what? What if I pass out? What if Amy tries to scratch my eyes out with those ridiculously long talons of hers?”
“Arianna,” he warns at my smart comments.
“Look. When I left LA, I wanted to start afresh. I needed to start a new life where I could live.” His shoulders drop a little, and I feel bad that I’m going to make it hard for him to concentrate at work today. I know how hard it is to function when you are worried about something or someone, but we need to do this before I start to suffocate. “I love being here with you. The last few days have been perfect.” I snake my hands around his waist, stroking his damp skin, and tucking my fingers in the towel just above his ass. “But we need to start living in the real world. I need to work. Iwantto work. You need to go to work and run your empire from the helm, not holed up below deck with me. Even if that is where I like you best.” I wink and kiss him on the cheek. “Okay?”
“Okay,” he whispers. “But, on one condition.”
“Go on …”
“You come back to me in one piece.”
“I can’t promise that, but I’ll do my very best.”
“Will you let Jack drive you to the boutique, please?” he asks hopefully.
“Yes, and depending how I get along with these heels,” I kick one of my feet up behind me. “I might even call him to bring me home.”
“That would be fine by me.” He looks over my shoulder. “You know what would also be fine by me?”
“What?” I ask curiously.
“If you kept those heels on for me, later.”
His eyes sparkle, and that gold glint that I’m coming to love so much flashes in my direction. I’ve never noticed a man’s eyes change color so often. I’ve seen a man’s eyes turn black with anger, too often. But Denham’s turn gold with lust, and shine brightly with happiness.
“Now that, Mr. King, I can do.”
After much distraction, I’m finally en route to Chique. Denham didn’t try to persuade me to change my mind again. But he did try and persuade me to be late, and I almost gave in. Almost. Being late on your first day at work would not make a good impression, and I want this job so badly that I’m not willing to jeopardize it for anything.
Jack pulls up right outside the building, and I step out onto the sidewalk. The butterflies had started to flutter around a little when I left The Kingdom just a few minutes ago, and now they are in full flight. I’m nervous. It’s first day nerves mixed with excitement.
When I approach the large glass doors, I see Beth coming toward me, pushing through the boutique with a frown. She flings the door open and pulls me to her. She cradles my head inher chest then pushes me away, holding me at arm’s length by my shoulders.
“What are you doing here, young lady?”
“Working,” I say with a smile, hoping to diffuse the worry that’s etched on her face.
“You shouldn’t be here. You should be resting after everything that happened to you. Just wait until I get my hands on that man of yours.” She actually stomps her foot and places her hands on her tiny waist.
“I’m fine, really. Denham tried to tell me to stay off for another couple of days, but I really want to be here. Please…”
“You’re not feeling faint, dizzy or remotely sick?”
“Nope.”
