Page 67 of Billionaire Retreat

“Really?”

“Yes, really. Why? You don’t think I can pull it off.”

“I wouldn’t bet on it.”

“Don’t mess with a man on a mission,” he said as he unpacked his groceries.

I watched him, checking out his backside once again. I couldn’t help myself. He was crazy attractive in jeans. I watched the way his muscles pulled at the fabric of his shirt and noticed how broad his shoulders were. I wanted to walk up to him, wrap my arms around him, and lay my head on his back and just breathe in the scent of him.

He looked behind him suddenly and I pretended to be busy organizing the spice rack. He gave me a knowing look and I decided not to notice.

“Want to be useful and help out?”

“Not if I don’t have to.”

“Pretty please...”

“Well, since you’re begging and all...”

I came over to help and noticed that none of the items he purchased could even remotely be considered Thanksgiving-ish.

It was a mixture of Italian ingredients and salad fixings.

“Not exactly Thanksgiving oriented,” I commented

“Well, it was either Italian food and salad or eggs. Those are really the only things I know how to make.”

“So, spaghetti or an omelet for Thanksgiving?” I tapped my chin and tried to look pensive as if it was a tough decision I had to make.

“Those are your choices, mademoiselle.”

I smiled widely. “Spaghetti sounds delicious.” It felt good to tease him again. It made me feel as if we were good friends, but I guess, over the months, that’s exactly what we had become.

“How can I help?”

“You can help by taking a nap. You look exhausted.”

He was right... I was exhausted.

“No, I want to help,” I began to protest. He shook his head, nudged me towards the hallway and said, “Go take a nap. I’ll wake you when everything’s done.”

I didn’t bother to fight him. A nap sounded like a godsend. He was right, rest was exactly what I needed. I walked to Sadie’s room to check on her. I sat down on the bed next to her and stroked her hair as she slept, grateful that the worst was over and she was feeling better. I felt my eyelids growing heavy as I stroked her hair and within minutes I gave in to sleep, tucked next to my preschooler in a tiny twin size bed.

* * *

It was pitch black in Sadie’s room when I opened my eyes again. I’d been startled awake because I was floating in the air, a pair of strong arms carrying me, removing me from my awkward position on Sadie’s bed.

I snuggled up against his chest thinking it was only a dream, but it clearly wasn’t. His chest felt hard against my cheek and I could hear the steady beat of his heart near my ear.

“Where are you taking me?” I questioned drowsily.

“To your room. You were almost about to fall off the bed.”

“Hmmm....” was all I said as I let my head fall back against his chest and I wrapped my arms around his neck. A girl could get used to this, I thought dreamily.

A minute later he was lowering me into my bed and then he walked quickly away. As he moved to close my door I sat up, “Griffin?”

“Yeah?” he said, pausing at my door.