I lower my shields, allowing old emotions to flood my face so I can draw upon them. “The truth is I’m lonely. I don’t have many friends, and the only family I truly have is my brother. I’ve sacrificed everything to build my career, and I wasn’t fully honest that night at dinner. I do want more. Not the kids part. That’s not in the cards for me.”
I slide my hand up his chest on purpose, trying to conceal my mirth because I know this will have him running and screaming for the hills. “But I want love.” My eyes drill into his as my hand creeps higher up his body. I’m not sure he’s even realized I’m doing it. I pause for a second to trap the laughter dying to burst free. “I need a man, and you’re the first one to catch my eye in a very long time.” My hand curls around his neck, and I press my body up against him. “So, there you have it, Drew. My dirty big secret is I have a crush on my asshole boss.”
He lets go of me so fast it’s comical, and I can’t control my laughter when I see the look of absolute horror on his face. I convulse as wracking waves of uncontrollable laughter rock my body. So much for keeping the pretense. I’m not sorry I went there even if he ditches his plans to take me with him. That look on his face right there was worth it.
“You’re an evil bitch, Athena Lewis.”
“Oh, come on, admit that was funny.”
“If it was payback for almost giving you a coronary earlier, consider it achieved.”
“The idea of me having a crush on you almost gave you a heart attack? Wow. I don’t know if I’m flattered or insulted.”
“You’re a handful, Miss Lewis.” Planting his hand on my lower back, he urges me forward. “And I’m warning you now, if you even attempt to joke about that at my mother’s house, I’ll put you over my knee and spank your ass in front of everyone. Let’s see how funny that’d be.”
ChapterTwenty-One
Athena
“This place is incredible,” I say as Drew drives us through high wrought-iron gates along a winding driveaway lined with majestic trees and manicured lawns. Tall walls keep prying eyes out, and I spot security cameras and barbed wires all around the perimeter. I know what happened to Olivia Manning, and the heightened security makes total sense.
“It’s been in my family for generations,” he explains, and it’s the first time he’s spoken since we left the store fifteen minutes ago. He’s been brooding over my prank, and I’d love an inside look in his head to know exactly what he’s thinking. “But the original house burnt down years ago, so Mom built a new one.”
“I read about that.” His gaze narrows on me, and I roll my eyes. “You are such a suspicious man, Drew Manning, and keep your eyes on the road. I’m sure your mother would not appreciate us crashing in her driveaway.” I run a hand through my hair. I wore it wavy today and didn’t bother straightening it when I was at home. “I studied your company and you before I came to present. It’s important to me to have a full picture of my client and the project. There is a lot about your family online. I read all about the elite and the stuff that went on at Parkhurst. Your father sounds like a nasty piece of work, by the way.”
“He was a total prick. One of the happiest days of my life was the day he died. I’m only sorry I wasn’t the one who put a bullet through his skull.”
“That was Montgomery, right?” It’s been well documented. “He sounded like another piece of shit.”
“He was a monster. The worst kind.”
“Lucky some good Samaritan did us a solid and removed that evil from the world. Funny how they never discovered what happened to him. Montgomery just vanished into thin air, presumed dead after all this time.” I watch him for any physical tells, but there is nothing, which is true talent. I know he wasn’t there when Lauder, Anderson, and Hunt murdered Montgomery, but he definitely knows the truth. I’m not surprised he’s loyal to his friends, and I meant it when I said they did the world a favor. It’s a better place without Christian and his brutish son.
“I don’t care, and I don’t think anyone lost any sleep over it.”
“What is your dirty big secret, Drew, and don’t say you don’t have one because I see it in your eyes too.”
“How about you tell me yours, and I’ll tell you mine,” he says as he pulls the car up in front of a gorgeous expansive modern building.
“Touché, Mr. Manning.”
He climbs out and rounds the hood of the car as I reach into the back seat for the flowers and champagne for his mom and the candy for the kids. It’s the best I could do on short notice.
Drew opens my door, taking the flowers and the bag with the champagne and candy before helping me out. He looms over me by a few inches, and I love it. So many men come up short when I wear heels, and tall men always make me feel sexy. His chin lowers as he leans down, pressing his mouth close to my ear. “I get the feeling your dirty big secret is more of a dark big secret.”
Shivers crawl all over my body, and I grip the side of the door as my legs threaten to go out from under me.
“Most women would grimace at the things the world knows the elite have done, but your eyes shine with excitement. Why is that?”
He straightens up, and I eyeball him as I give him this truth. “I’m not like most women.”
The door opens, ending our conversation, and I’m glad because it was getting dicey. I take the flowers while Drew keeps a hold of the bag.
“I came to warn you,” Abby says, smiling broadly as we walk toward her. “Mom is like an excitable kangaroo on speed since you called.”
“Awesome,” Drew drawls, placing his hand on my lower back.
“Hey you.” Abby stretches up to kiss my cheek. “We’re so happy you could join us. If I’d known you had no plans for Thanksgiving, I would’ve invited you on Monday.”
