Clashing with the CEO - Page 161
“Are you sure?”
“I’ll come with you?—”
“No, you won’t.”
His short reply was a stark reminder that there would be stipulations to this relationship. He clearly didn’t want to be seen buying breakfast with me on a Saturday morning. I understood why.
“Of course. Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
He pressed a kiss to my lips in lieu of an apology before sliding out of bed. I propped myself up on one elbow, admiring the view as he walked to the ensuite.
After Neil had showered and dressed, he kissed me goodbye. “Make yourself at home while I’m gone. I’m taking Archie with me for a walk, but he gets tired quickly, so I won’t be long.”
“Take your time.”
I heard the click of paws on the floorboards, excited doggy whimpers, and the jangling of a leash on Neil’s way out of the apartment.
While Neil was gone, I hopped in the shower. The rainfall fixture felt heavenly beating on my shoulders. As I lathered up with soap, I recalled what Neil had confessed to doing in this very shower. Just thinking about it made me flush all over. I had to run the cold water for a second to recover.
Freshly scrubbed and wrapped in a robe I found hanging on the back of the door, I made my way to the kitchen. I had just figured out Neil’s high-tech coffee machine when the front door opened. Archie trotted inside panting, his leash trailing behind him. Right on his heels, Neil strode in, holding a fragrant white paper bag. My mouth watered at the scent.
Neil’s eyes trailed over me. “Wearing my robe?”
I tightened the tie across my waist. “You don’t mind, do you?”
“I might as well give you free rein of my wardrobe at this point.”
“Yes, please.”
Neil huffed but couldn’t hide his amusement.
“What did you get?” I asked. ”Smells amazing.”
“See for yourself.”
He slid the bag across the counter. I eagerly opened it to reveal two glossy bagels—one loaded with egg and melted cheese, the other glistening with sweet cinnamon cream cheese and fresh strawberry slices. My stomach gave an impatient rumble as I reached for two plates from the cupboard.
“I’ll hazard a guess that you would prefer the sweet one,” Neil said.
“Correct,” I said, plating both bagels. “Good guess.”
Neil grinned. “Oh yes, terribly difficult to deduce.”
I stuck my tongue out at him and took an enormous bite, closing my eyes to savour the burst of flavours—the doughy bagel base, the sweet and tangy cream cheese, the ripe juicy strawberries… “Oh wow. This is incredible.”
“Don’t talk with your mouth full.”
I cracked one eye open to find Neil regarding me with undisguised affection beneath the stern reprimand.
“Yes, sir,” I said.
Neil just shook his head.
We settled at the dining table with our bagels and coffee. As much as I enjoyed chowing down on breakfast, Neil’s increasing solemnity didn’t escape my notice. He cleared his throat as if gearing up to say something serious. I stiffened.
“I think we should discuss the, er, developments between us,” he said.
My stomach dropped. I always knew this was coming—I wasn’t stupid. But still…
