Without a Hitch(58)

“No.” But even as I say it, a plan begins to form in my head. “And her name isn’t Abby. It’s Tilly.

Tilly Camden. She’s Colton’s assistant.”

I know Colton will be spending an unfortunate amount of time in Vermont for the foreseeable future with his family. Does that mean Tilly will be there too? Or will she be set free to work on her own? Why the hell didn’t I ask Colton more questions about her?

I vaguely hear Nova’s string of questions, but I ignore them with a smile. Once again, I’m thankful for Angie when she manages to quiet my sister.

Angie tsks getting us back on track. “Ross is a family man, Lochlan. Have you read the dossier on him? He won’t work with anyone he doesn’t feel aligns with his outlook on business, life, and love.”

I practically scoff. “Business has nothing to do with love, or it shouldn’t. Just hire the woman, Angie. I have to go.” I don’t wait for a response. Riled up, I pop out of my seat a second later and adjust the bottom of my vest for the hundredth time.

Tilly should go with me to California. Tasting wine, swimming in the ocean. Skinny dipping. Fuck yes to skinny dipping. It’s the perfect solution. Ross is a family man, and he’s already asked about Abby every time I’ve tried to schedule a meeting with him. But how do I get her to agree?

More importantly, why do I need her to agree with every fiber of my being?

Instead of digging too deep, I start making plans. Tilly Camden is a woman I can’t keep, so I’ll have my fill of her before she drives me mad. Three weeks. I’ll have her for three weeks, then we’ll go back to our lives where she resides in the fairy tale, and I’m the dragon in the tower trying to burn it all down.

AT 9:23 A.M., there’s a knock at my door, and it nearly comes off the hinges when I rip it open. Tilly stands in the hall, hands clasped together, and arches a brow at my enthusiasm.

Breathe, Lochlan.

“I didn’t think you were going to show.” I lean against the doorframe in an attempt to appear casual, but it only lasts a second because I’m unable to control myself when she’s near. Reaching for her, I drag her inside the suite.

“Gah! Lochlan! You really need to get a grip. Most people have a personal space bubble, and you keep crossing boundaries.”

I release her arm but stay close by as she walks into the penthouse. “You make me insane,” I grumble, and I can feel her smile before she shows it.

“I wasn’t going to come, but the girls convinced me it would be rude not to show up.”

Girls? Who gets her time?

“What girls? And I think I like them.” I force a wobbly smile, thankful she’s not paying me much attention. She unsettles me. If I’m honest, it’s not just my smile that’s wobbly when she’s nearby.

“My sister and my roommates. Eli, Hadley, and Delaney. They’re my tribe.”

“Your tribe? Like family?”

She takes a seat at the table set for two, not at all shy about opening the silver serving trays that cover every breakfast item on the menu. “Yeah. I’ve basically been an orphan since I was a child, so my sisters and friends are who I count on. They’re the ones I go to when a sexy stranger demands my time.”

A low rumble vibrates inside my chest. “We’re not exactly strangers, Tilly.”

“Knowing each other sexually is not the same as knowing each other.”

“I agree. That’s why I have a proposition for you.”

A scowl forms on her beautiful face. Shit. That came out wrong. She stands, but I grasp her wrist and pull her to my side before she can escape.

“Not that kind of proposition, you dirty, dirty girl,” I growl, close enough to her ear that her scent fills my nostrils. There seems to be a direct link between Tilly and my dick because the second I smell lilacs, he attempts to rise like one of those waving balloon men at car dealerships. My trousers push him back, and I adjust my stance.

“You’re lucky I’m starving,” she huffs, pulling away and sitting back down.

“I want to get to know you, Tilly.”

“To what end, lover?”

The nickname rankles. I know she’s using it to put distance between us.

“I’m serious,” I bark.

She takes a piece of bacon from the serving tray and places it between her lips. My gaze catches on her mouth. She chews slowly, like she’s playing with me, and when I finally break free from her spell, I find she is. Her dark eyes sparkle with naughtiness.

The twinkle vanishes as quickly as it came though, and she looks at her lap. Her shoulders slump forward, appearing weary. I fucking hate it.

“To what end?” she repeats without making eye contact.

“I’m sorry?”

“Get to know me why? I need the happy ending, Lochlan. I need it like the air I breathe. We fundamentally want different things. Getting to know you more can only end in disaster for me.”

“I disagree.” My heart rate accelerates like I’ve been sprinting in a marathon. My palms sweat as I grow increasingly uncomfortable. Worry that she’ll leave has my mind running blank, and not even tugging on my vest eases the ache in my chest.

“How can you disagree? I want to get married. I want to have children someday. I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with someone I haven’t even spent an entire day with. Lochlan, this is ludicrous.”