The Grand Pact (The Grand Men #1)(37)

I look up at the bouncer, who gives me a slightly puzzled look.

Yeah, me fucking too.

I make my way through the crowded club and back out into the city.





11





Lucy





I’m half-awake, lying on my bed and doing anything I can to stay awake a little longer.

I watched a film, scrolled on my phone for half an hour, and now I’m going over my schedule for the millionth time in two days.

The worst thing I could do is fall asleep too early and then be up hours before I need to be in the morning.

It’s going to be my first day at Almendo.

I drop the file on the bed and grin wide, my excitement too much.

God, if I could tell ten-year-old me that this was where she’d be at thirty.

I might not have the man, house, or kids, but I have a killer job. Something I’ve worked my ass off for and I can be proud of, and something that could potentially allow me to have all the other things on the list one day. If I can work my way up at the company, which was discussed during the interview, then I could probably buy my own home. I could support a family.

You can’t buy a man, but there’s always BOB and the balls.

I glance down at my phone as it lights up with an incoming call.

Elliot.

“You must be tracking my thoughts, Mr Montgomery?”

“No… should I be?”

I sit up and shrug as I smile, even though he can’t see. “No. It would be totally inappropriate.”

He tsks, and it reminds me of the balls, the restroom, and… shit. “So we’re going straight in with the dirty talk tonight? Good to know.”

“I’ve not said anything dirty!” I laugh.

“You implied inappropriate thoughts and me in the same sentence. I’m hard, princess.”

I stick my tongue in my cheek and smile. “Sounds like a you problem. I wasn’t thinking about you.”

“No?”

“Nope.”

“What then?”

How do we keep falling into this so easily?

I swallow and tell the truth. “I was thinking about the balls.”

“Oh.” He chuckles, and it’s deep, orgasmic, and full of something sinful. If hot, dirty sex had vocal cords, it would scream in the tune of Elliot Montgomery, I’m sure of it. “I’ve been thinking about those balls, actually.”

My brows knit, and I gulp around the lump in my throat. “You have?”

“I found them in my tux pocket. Forgot I slipped them in there at the meal. I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t a pleasant surprise finding them when I went to the dry cleaners. I’ll take good care of them until you get back.” His voice grows raspier with every forbidden word he utters, and I wonder if he’s intentionally messing with me. “Unless you want me to ship them out to you, do you need them, princess? How inappropriate are we talking?”

“Do not ship them! Can you imagine customs getting hold of that parcel?” I start to panic. “I’d be mortified collecting them from main reception too. Send them, and I’ll have your balls!”

“And what do you suggest I do with them exactly?”

“I don’t know… bin them.”

“Think again. They’re too much fun for the bin.”

Every sensible word inside of my head scatters, turning me to mush. “I—”

“Luce, I’m messing with you.” He chuckles down the phone, and I sink back further into the mattress. “Tell me about your day.”

I palm my scarlet cheek and close my eyes, letting go of the heated thoughts thrashing around in my mind. “I’ve been out in the city. I timed my walk to work and checked out the building—”

“How was that?”

“Good, I love the area, and from what I can see, the office is amazing.”

“Have you had any luck finding an apartment?”

“Not yet.” Truthfully, I’m happy here at the hotel, and it’s only been two days. The idea of having to move to a different area makes me anxious. “I need to focus on settling in at work this week, and then I’ll start looking for a place to live. One thing at a time.”

“Will you be okay when you do find somewhere? We could fly out and help move your things.”

“You guys have already done enough. But, thank you. You know I appreciate it.”

“I wish we could be there to help you.”

“Hmm, If I remember correctly, you hate moving.” I smile, thinking back. “In fact, you were utterly useless when we moved Nina and Mase out to Lowerwick.”

“I was on Ellis duty.”

“You’re always on Ellis duty. When there are dishes, or when there’s a queue you don’t want to wait in. We all see it.”

“You’re just jealous that he prefers Uncle Elliot.”

I laugh because it’s true. “Because you buy him everything he wants.”

“Would you not if you could?”

“No.” I roll my eyes, knowing he doesn’t get it. “He’ll end up spoilt. He’s lucky that Nina’s so grounded, although Mase is getting better at saying no to him. He knows how to work you, that’s for sure.”