Total pages in book: 120
Estimated words: 117740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 117740 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 589(@200wpm)___ 471(@250wpm)___ 392(@300wpm)
“Flirting with you is so far down on my to-do list that I may get to it in the afterlife.” I picked the file up from my thighs and passed it over, giving his palm a solid thwack with it for good measure.
“I would have thought that flirting with me was already crossed off.”
“Excuse me, you flirted with me. I don’t flirt.”
Oliver stared at me. “I distinctly remember you flirting with me.”
“Look at me.” I motioned to my face and body. “Do I look like I need to flirt to get attention?”
“Ah, you’re right. Your stunningly co-operative personality is all you need to charm a man.”
“Well, you’d know that better than most.”
“Miss Matthews, has anyone told you how utterly exhausting you are?” Oliver slid his glasses back onto his face and opened the file.
“Yes, actually. My mother tells me daily. It’s like her morning greeting for me at this point.”
He looked over the top of the file at me. “Do you still live with your parents?”
As if Sherlock Holmes over there didn’t already know the answer to that since he’d had his assistant go on a shitty little sleuthing mission. Sucked for him, though—there wasn’t anything in this town that I didn’t know.
Or my mother didn’t know.
Same thing.
I sniffed. “In this economy? You’re damn right I live with my parents. Have you seen the price of rent?”
“Yes. I charge it.”
“Of course you do.” I smiled tightly.
“You seem displeased.”
“Get used to it. I don’t foresee ever being pleased to be in your company.”
“That’s quite all right. I pleased you enough the first time we met.” He flipped through the pages without his expression changing in the slightest.
This smarmy bastard.
Whatever had possessed me to sleep with him?
The alcohol, probably.
Note to future Rose: don’t drink in front of this man. It will lead to bad decisions.
“I’m disappointed, Rose. I thought you’d have a smart comeback for that one.” He put down the file and looked over at me. “Or are you too busy thinking about that night?”
“I was keeping my thoughts to myself, lest I insult your honour, my good sir.”
“That’s the nicest way anyone has ever told me that I’m terrible in bed.”
“Make of it what you will.”
“Then I’ll ignore it. We both know you’re lying.” He slid one sheet of paper to the side, turning his attention back to what I’d handed him. “But if you’ve forgotten how good it was, we can always have a do-over. My offer to bring a bed in here still stands.”
“I’d rather sleep with George.”
“Who’s George?”
“You don’t need to know.” I waved my hand dismissively. “Do you realise we’re wasting time?”
Oliver’s lips pulled up to one side. “What do you mean? We’re getting to know each other.”
“That’s exactly what I was referring to.”
“Ouch. How can you be so cruel after our magical night together?”
Please. The only thing magical about that night was how quickly I disappeared.
Well… maybe.
I stared at him flatly. “Never mind legal action over your breach of contract; I’m about to sue you for sexual harassment.”
He chuckled and held up one of the sheets. “I need to have my lawyer look this over before I confirm or agree to anything with you, but it does appear that my closure notice is void. However, operate on the two-month notice for now, and—”
“Absolutely not.”
“I’m sorry?”
“Absolutely not,” I repeated. “What I handed you is a copy of the most recent contract, signed eighteen months before the late duke passed away. I will operate based on the notice period in the contract I know to be correct, not the one you’d like me to abide by just because it makes your life easier. And I will only acknowledge it once the correct notice has been issued.”
Oliver pursed his lips. “But the contract I have doesn’t match what you have, and that contract—”
“Is wrong.” I got to my feet and met his gaze, annoyance fizzling in the pit of my belly at his audacity. “I don’t know what kind of impression you have of me after your lackey was snooping around trying to dig up dirt on my life, but I’m telling you now that I’m not the pushover you seem to think I am, given how you’re trying to convince me to accept an illegal closure notice.”
Oliver said nothing, but his jaw tightened, almost as if he was pissed that I was calling him out.
“I wasn’t joking when I told your errand boy that I’d take legal action if you didn’t meet me. I came here as a courtesy to let you know about this to avoid unnecessary stress for both parties, but clearly, I shouldn’t bother offering you my goodwill in the future.” I picked up my backpack and pulled one strap over my shoulder. “You’re not a stupid man, Mr de Havilland, so don’t act like one.” I reached over and tapped the folder. “I’ll leave that with you and await delivery of the correct closure notice. Good day, sir.”