Page 55 of The Thing About My Secret Billionaire

“You’re a star, Brooke. Thank you for saving my ass.” I sigh and shake my head, realizing I’ve just uttered the sanctuary’s slogan.

“And I did all that with massive heartburn.”

“You would have been welcome to just tell the city dick to go fuck himself with a sprinkler.”

“Would I have been allowed to paraphrase? I’d prefer not to use profanity in a professional setting.”

“You use it with me all the time.”

“That’s different. Sometimes you need it. Because you’re a non-dick who occasionally gives the impression that you might be a dick and need to be told to not behave like a dick because you’re not one.” She lets out a long exhale. “Like, for example,now. In this ridiculous situation you’ve got yourself into over there.”

“Yeah, well, that one knee-jerk decision I made in the coffee shop a couple of days ago now has me in too deep to back out.” Emphasis on thejerk.

I draw my thumb and middle finger across my eyes until they meet to pinch the bridge of my nose.

“I think it might work, though.” Remember why you’re here, Miller, remember why you’re here. “Frankie’s no fool. And she’s practical. She just needs a nudge in the right direction to take our offer.”

“Frankie?” Brooke says it with a smile in her voice. “You mean Frances Marie Channing, the other name on the title? You’re on casual nickname terms with her, huh?”

“It’s what everyone calls her. It’s what she introduces herself as.” That comes out a bit snippy and defensive. Because of course it does. I’m riddled with guilt over not only what just happened, but the wholefuckery of the situation I’ve created. But, yeah, mainly over what just happened.

Brooke laughs. “Calm your tits. I was only teasing. But if you want some more good advice while I’m here…”

I stop my pointless pacing in front of the window that looks out to the rear of the property. “Oh, Lord. Go on.”

“Stop misleading that perfectly nice woman, and?—”

“Bye, Brooke.” I hang up.

I know I’m wrong. But it’s too late now. All I can do is limit the damage by not letting any of the kissing and groping things happen again.

Christ, they were good, though.

Her tongue against mine, her hand on my stomach, her rock-hard nipple between my fingers.

My cock twitches at the recollection.

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter to myself as my phone pings again.

BROOKE

You hung up before I could thank you for the nursery design service. A very nice woman called earlier. Said she’d been sent by you as a gift. Very thoughtful. We appreciate it. Thank you.

ME

You’re very welcome. Kit it out with whatever you need.

Hmm. Doing a good deed feels good—like being wrapped in a cozy blanket.

I shove the phone into my back pocket, then rest both palms on the top edge of the window. I haven’t looked out in this direction behind the property much before.

The view is packed with trees, some with barebranches, some with a few fall-colored leaves still clinging on, some evergreen. Behind them is a large grassy hill with a road winding up the side. Looks like there’s only a single house up there.

The frame makes a cracking sound and gives a little under my weight. One thing Skinner was right about is that this beautiful old structure is not in the best of shape.

Ah.

A sudden thought forces me upright and curls my mouth into a smile.