‘I’m well aware of my privileges,’ she answers snippily. ‘There aren’t many under thirties living in London who don’t have housemates.’
‘Keep your undies on.’ I slide my gaze over my shoulder and shoot her a saucy wink. ‘At least until we get upstairs.’
The elevator comes to a stop. It’s not the penthouse, but a thirteenth-floor apartment overlooking the river Thames. Mutli-million dollar real-estate, the kind most personal assistants only get to dream about. As I slip off my jacket and drop my keys on the table in the hall, I can tell that’s where her mind has gone.
‘Do you rent?’ As the words hit the air, her expression turns a sort of wide-eyed horrified. ‘Ignore that.’
‘I think it’s time I clued you in on a few things,’ I say, placing my hands on her shoulders from behind. I push the old Parker she’d had in the boot of her car from her shoulders, dropping it next to mine. I’m pleased she had something to wear as bike rides are wicked cold in spring. ‘I work for Keir,’ I begin, lowering my mouth close to her ear. ‘Mainly because it saves me from being one of those rich arseholes who don’t work. I also work for Keir because I’ve been learning how the property development market works.’Slotting away the insights to his killer instincts. ‘But none of that alters the fact that I am one of those rich arseholes.’
Her eyes stay resolutely on the bank of windows and the terrace beyond, filled with greenery. The apartment is pretty stark; white floors and upholstery, the only real colour from a massive parlour palm and my huge TV on one wall.The space is light and bright, and I suppose in some ways, I’ve subconsciously brought a little bit of home here with me. Sadly, I can’t say the same for the sunshine.
‘And you didn’t think to mention any of that to me?’ Her tone is even, her voice clear.
‘Not until this week.’ Not until I offered Keir a cash injection and a partnership.
‘I don’t think I understand.’ And why would she? I’m the only one of my brothers that hasn’t really done much for themselves. Granted, we all went through that mad playboy stage coming into our inheritance after uni, but the Phillips clan are over-achievers, professionally. Apart from me.
‘You’re asking why not work for myself from the start?’
‘Maybe. Yes?’ she says, turning her confused gaze to me.
‘That’s easy.’ I step around her and take her hand in mine, leading her to the sectional sofa. ‘Because some of us don’t have the drive that you do. Or are half as brave.’
‘That’s ...’ Baffling to her still, I can tell. ‘But why not mention it?’
‘Dunno. I suppose I don’t tell anyone. It’s not impressive or earned. It’s a family thing.’ My grandfather owned a small hardware store, passed down from his father. Don’t ask me how, but he designed and patented a multi-function tool table that took off like a rocket. Aussie blokes like their sheds and their tools almost as much as they like their beer. ‘Speaking of family, when I called them this week and told them about my plans, I also told them about you. You know, before you gave me the flick.’
‘Before I gave you what?’
‘My marching orders—the boot.’ She looks horrified, whether because of my phrasing or the thoughts that I have a family, I’m not sure. But they’re not bad, really. ‘Mum seems to think you’re some sort of miracle worker. Her and dad are going apeshit to meet you.’
‘Meet me?’ she repeats.
‘Anyone who’s had... how’d mum put it?Such a positive effect on me must be a very special person.’
‘But I didn’t do anything,’ she says, totally bemused.
‘You’re helping me live up to my potential. Or some such shit. Making me grow the fuck up, according to one of my arsehole brothers.’
‘But I like you the way you are.’ I feel like she has my heart in her hands for the purpose of giving it a good hug. ‘I don’t want you to change.’
‘You might feel a bit differently when we have kids.’
‘Flynn.’ She places her hand flat on my chest, her soft brown gaze turning solemn. ‘I’m not pregnant.’
‘Maybe not yet. We’ve got plenty of time to change that though, hey?’
‘You really want to do this? With me?’
‘Well, I’m not here to fuck spiders, love.’
When she laughs, it’s the very best of things. ‘Am I even supposed to know what that means?’
‘You know, the sooner you stop talking, the sooner I can show you my big bed.’
‘Your family—I won’t hide what I do.’
‘Who’s expecting you to? In fact, if you get any new subscribers with Aussie ISPs, feel free to block them. It’ll be my brothers. They’ve already decided you’re a dead-set legend. Just be grateful we live half a world away.’
