Page 14 of Falling for Raine

He chuckled, hiking his jeans over his perky rear. “It’s a doozy. Trust me, I’d need another drink for that one.”

“I’m sure,” I replied flatly.

I could have offered him that drink, asked if he was hungry, and even ordered room service. Lord knew it would have been nice to curl on the sofa in nothing but a robe, sipping champagne whilst having my ear chatted off by a lovely man with bright eyes who was embarking on a new adventure.

But what was the point? Good-bye was imminent, and I’d learned it was best to cut ties before anyone got any ridiculous ideas like?—

“Hey, maybe we could meet for a drink sometime,” Raine suggested, slipping his shoes on, and adding, “In London.”

I zipped my fly and smiled apologetically. “I’m sorry, but…I can’t do that.”

He held my gaze for a long moment. “Okay. That’s cool. You’re not married, right?”

“I am not.”

“Just double-checking. Uninterested is better than married,” Raine babbled hurriedly. “Uh…mind if I use your bathroom?”

“Be my guest.” I inclined my head and sent a quick text while I waited. He met me at the door a few minutes later, looking sheepish and unsure. “Collins will take you to your hotel. He’ll be out front.”

“Thank you.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “And…good-bye for real.”

I studied his wrinkled shirt, sex-mussed hair, and kiss-swollen lips, surprised at how much I wanted him to stay.

All the more reason to end it now.

I opened the door and leaned against the jamb. “Good-bye, Raine.”

4

GRAHAM

My private jet rattled ominously, sailing through the clouds somewhere over Canada. I pushed my reading glasses to the bridge of my nose, sparing my assistant a bemused glance.

“Are you all right, Julia?”

She pursed her lips and covertly dabbed the sweat on her brow, tucking a strand of her brown hair behind her ear. “Yes, it’s a bumpier than normal flight is all.”

“Is it? I hadn’t noticed.” I shuffled the sheaf of paperwork on the table, careful not to upset the cup of tea next to my laptop as I examined my screen for the umpteenth time. “The numbers line up nicely. I think we have what we need and even a bit of wiggle room should Blower decide to fuck with us.”

“That’s good news, sir.The Timeswants to do a piece on The Horsham Group in anticipation of the merger. I believe they’re speaking with Lloyd’s as well. I haven’t returned the call yet, but?—”

“Good. It’s too early for that. I’ll need Sanjay to work his magic with this spreadsheet so we can send it along to the board. Will you get him on the line for me, please?” I asked distractedly.

“Yes, sir. Of course.”

She tapped at her phone, greeted the man on the line pleasantly, then handed it over and excused herself. I frowned when she bolted from her seat and sped down the narrow aisle to the restroom. Poor thing.

Julia had been with me for ten years and had traveled on this very jet all over the world, but she still hated flying. At least, I assumed that was the problem, though I couldn’t be sure. She’d been uncharacteristically quiet for over a week. Perhaps longer.

I mentally filed away a reminder to inquire after her health once we were in London. Julia was an invaluable member of my team, and I genuinely liked her. I also genuinely couldn’t afford any missteps at a crucial juncture of what had become the largest acquisition in The Horsham Group’s history.

“Hello, Sanjay. Are you looking at the figures?”

“I am. Impressive. However, might I suggest that we streamline the operation efficiencies column and…”

I turned my attention to my computer, jotting random notes as we spoke.

Hours ticked by in a blur of amalgamation considerations, long-term logistics, and of course…numbers. My head was swimming with them. No doubt my dreams tonight would feature Excel spreadsheets and a hoard of solicitors with ballpoint pens, rallying the troops to slay the behemoth.