I’m caught.
But I don’t feel an ounce of worry or fear now that Tripp’s arms surround me.
I trust him.
Tripp kisses my neck tenderly and lifts his head. “Yes, Vida is my girlfriend. I trust that won’t be an issue, godfather.”
“Tripp—”
“Ipursuedher. She told me the policy and said no to seeing me romantically, but I think you know how persistent I can be.”
“In school and business, yes. Not usually with…”
“Women. It’s okay, you can say it.” He strokes a hand down my braid. “Anything you need to say to me, you can say in front of her.”
He really woke up this morning determined to keep me swooning.
“Very well.” My manager nods once. “Usually, women are a casual hobby for you. For this one, you’re flying in security experts from Switzerland?”
“That’s right. She’severythingto me. This isn’t some typical dalliance. I’m in the process of trying to move heaven and earth to keep her.” He cups the sides of my face firmly and tilts my face left and right, as if double-checking I’m not injured. “I don’t think your policy applies here. To us.”
My manager lets out a long breath. “We might be able to make an exception…”
Tripp gives a knowing sigh. “You’ve been looking to expand the east wing, haven’t you?” He flicks a wry glance at his godfather. “You’ll have my investment in the venture by noon, but I’m going to need Vida to have the freedom to come and go from my room as she pleases.”
“Very well. One question, though. If Vida isyourgirlfriend, why doesn’t she just quit her job?”
“Don’t get me started,” Tripp says through his teeth.
I give a haughty sniff and wiggle free of his embrace. “If you’re done negotiating my life, I have rooms to clean.”
“Hate it,” Tripp drawls.
“Well, that’s just too b?—”
My aunt Peggy comes limping into the room on a cane. “Vida!”
“Aunt Peggy?”
My jaw drops open.
My life is suddenly a comedy.
A chaotic one, at that.
“What are youdoinghere?”
“I’ve been calling you all night.” She pokes me in the thigh with her cane. “I finally decided to drive here and see if you showed up for work. Where have you been?”
“I might be able to answer that.” Tripp steps to my side, his face transforming with a dazzling smile worthy of a movie screen. “Peggy, it’s an honor to make your acquaintance. My name is Tripp Sterling.”
The bluster drains out of Peggy, replaced with a severe blush. “Y-yes, I know who you are. Oh dear, I apologize if I interrupted a meeting?—”
“I am the one who should be apologizing. You see, I invited Vida to a party last night on my yacht and time got away from her. I take full responsibility.”
Peggy turns widening eyes on me. “Vida, you’re not supposed to fraternize with the guests. You know that. Especially not…” She jerks a thumb at Tripp.
I flush red to the tips of my ears. “I knew I shouldn’t have gotten out of those ten-thousand-dollar sheets this morning,” I mutter.
