CARLY
I received the address after he hung up the phone. I picked the files from the desk and put them in my tote bag.
I hit the road as soon as I entered the address in the car’s GPS. It said that I would arrive in one hour.
My boss was really time efficient. He could have just told me earlier to bring these files to him so I could go home early. But this was what I paid for, right? To never complain.
Thirty minutes to the address, I realized I was leaving the city. The place seemed just trees, like a forest. Rome must love the wilderness. I mean, I loved it too, but did he really live there? In some cabin in the woods? Maybe we had something in common after all.
I arrived earlier than the estimated time on my GPS. The two-story cabin came to view, and the electronic steel gate slid open.
I remembered the house owned by my family. It was more like an old colonial manor, but I loved that place.
I parked the car beside the black truck. This must be Rome’s. I hopped out, forgot I was wearing high heels, and they stuck in the grass. I almost fell if not a strong log-a warm, breathy, sweaty log caught me by my arms.
“Gotcha.”
“Great. I should have changed into a workout outfit and running shoes.” I ignored the flush on my cheeks.
“Or coverall and work boots.” He chuckled.
“Fine. Make fun of me. I thought I was going to a house less muddy and cabin-y.”
“Is that even a word?”
I pursed my lips and turned around, glaring at him.
He was in his gray shirt, faded jeans, and work boots, but he looked hot as hell. He was really sweaty, like he had been working all day. I shouldn’t be thinking about it because he was my boss, but I couldn’t help it.
His brows arched as he waited for me.
I closed the door with my butt, ignoring him because he was too hot to handle, and I needed to get away from him before I could blurt something out.
“Glad you found the address.” He was following me.
“Thanks to Google Maps.” I went to the porch and sat on the chair. I noticed installed security cameras. “Paranoid much?”
“My friends installed them. Come inside,” he said, but more like an order.
“Give me a few minutes to appreciate the view. Is that why you like it here? Very peaceful?”
“Among other things.” He went inside, taking my bags with him.
I wanted some time to breathe in the fresh air. I missed my country with a city that snowed for months and an endless lush green.
It was beautiful.
I did not protest. After a few deep breaths, I went inside. I was surprised to see a huge screen, leather couches, and some football memorabilia. The high ceiling made the living room look open and spacious. And the most breathtaking part was the windows gave a perfect view of the woods.
“Take a seat.”
I did as he asked and kicked off my shoes. I didn’t realize he was barefooted until he picked them up and took them with him.
He then placed them beside the door.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t-”
“It’s okay.”
“… Know.” I pressed my lips together.
He came back with slippers. “Sorry. I don’t have your size.”
“I came here to bring the files that you asked for and not to fit in the slippers. Thanks, though.” I picked up my tote bag.
Before I could pick up the files, he stopped me. “Later.”
“Okay.” I sat comfortably on the couch and picked up the business magazine on the table. To my surprise, it was Sterling Langston on the cover. I put it back and placed my hands on my lap.
Rome came back, talking to someone over the phone.
“Then don’t.” He groaned. “I told you, this has nothing-”
I tried to block his conversation with whoever was on the other line, but it was hard not to listen.
“Whatever, man. You win.”
There was a few moments of silence. He must be listening to the other line.
“Fuck you, Linden. Bye.” The chair whooshed as he slumped his butt and threw the phone on the coffee table. “Sorry about that.”
“I didn’t hear anything.” I looked at him.
Romare seemed stressed out, massaging his temple. Then he lifted his gaze, meeting mine. His expression seemed to soften up.
“If you sign the documents right now, I can leave and take them with me.”
“Your working time is not yet over.”
“Okay.” I looked away toward the black screen.
“Relax, Storm. I don’t bite.”
“What made you think that I thought you would bite someone?”
“Sorry. I have a dry sense of humor.”
“I was just messing.” I looked around. “Do you live here?”
“Not the asshole billionaire that you picture out?”
My brow arched. He thought so low of me, huh? “Like what exactly?”
“I have a penthouse at the Langston. It’s under renovation. I was planning to give it to my brother as his graduation gift. I don’t really live there. I stayed at my house outside the city, but way far from this. It isn’t easy to travel back and forth to work. And I don’t like much a hele.”
“Brings back bad memory?”
“Hmm.”
“You like nature.”
“Yeah. Kinda fresh and peaceful.”
“I agree.”
“Hungry?”
“Do you have water?”
He stood up. “Be right back.”
I checked my phone and replied to Seth. Apparently, he’d been monitoring the GPS on my car.
CARLY: I’m good. Stop stalking me.
SETH: My job, YH
CARLY: Later. Bye
“Here’s your water.” Rome placed down a glass and bottled water. He then left again.
I drank almost half of the bottle.
A few minutes later, he came back. “Follow me.”
God, he was frustrating. I just wish he could be more specific and more words than just follow me, go, stay, come inside, don’t, sit. But this was the job I signed up for-to follow command-quite a demotion for someone who used to bark around.
I stood, stunned to see a contemporary kitchen with a shiny wooden dining table.
“I hope you eat pasta.”
“I eat pasta.” I sat on the chair he offered to me.
Before I could take another breath, he scooped a huge full of penne with creamy tomato sauce, garnished it with grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, and put it into my plate. Then he poured red wine into my glass.
“Eat.”
I picked up my fork. “Yes, boss.”
I ignored his penetrating stare. I stubbed a piece of penne and shoved it into my mouth. It was delicious. The pasta was cooked to perfection-al dente. And the sauce was well seasoned with a little kick of spice from the pepper flakes. The tomato was not too sour and did not overpower the taste of Vodka. I didn’t know anything in the kitchen, but I’d tasted good food.
-Cook? Check.
This man could cook, but I was not going to tell him that to boost his ego.
I ate in silence, and he looked like he was also enjoying his meal. I picked up the glass and swirled it a little. When I smelled the wine, I knew it was a ten-year-old.
I sipped it, and he was watching me. I wondered what this was all about. As paranoid as I was about my security, I was afraid he might have found out who I was, but I was grateful I still had a job.
“Would you like more?”
I shook my head. “I need my head straight to drive back. Thanks for the meal. It was delicious.”
I was about to stand when the rain suddenly poured from the sky. The tapping sound indicated it might take a while.
“Great,” I muttered under my breath.
“Afraid of the rain?”
“No. My car is not exactly built for that road.”
“Don’t worry. I can drive you home with my truck.”
“That won’t be necessary.” I picked up my plate to help him, but he took it from me.
“You are my guest. Leave it. You can watch shows on the couch. I’ll be there in a few.”
I didn’t want to argue, being the guest I was. So I went there with worry that the rain might take a while.