Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 32348 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 162(@200wpm)___ 129(@250wpm)___ 108(@300wpm)
"Come on up," the other woman called out to her, and one of the crewmen assisted Poppy aboard.
"A sailboat, Heather? Seriously?"
"This is actually more like a smaller-sized yacht," the billionaire's secretary clarified.
"So not the point," Poppy groaned.
"I don't see what the problem is. I've checked your medical records, and you're not the type to get seasick—-"
"Still not the point. This is a sailboat."
"Cruise ships have their own beauty salons—-"
"Good for them, but I'm not trained to do this. And especially not in this weather—-"
"Today is the only free time he has—-" Heather raised her hand to stem Poppy's protest in advance. "I know you're going to think I'm exaggerating, but what you're doing is vital to Mr. Rossfield's sanity."
Poppy was about to roll her eyes when she realized that Heather was actually serious. "Great, just great. Now I'm even more nervous—-"
Heather laughed. "You've got this, Poppy."
"But what if—-"
"Relax, Ms. Cortez."
Poppy nearly tripped as she whirled around upon hearing the familiar voice, and her heart thudded against her chest when she saw the billionaire emerging from the lower deck.
"You may not trust yourself right now, but I do. You won't mess up, so stop worrying."
Poppy could only nod, having become tongue-tied at the sight of him. It was her first time to see the billionaire dressed in something other than a suit, but he was still beautiful and hot as ever in his white button-down shirt and pants.
"Ready if you are," the billionaire drawled, and Poppy belatedly hurried after him.
It took Poppy longer than usual to get her makeshift workstation in order, but the billionaire didn't betray any sign of impatience while waiting.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. Rossfield," she stammered. "You can take your seat now."
A huge wave crashed against the hull as she turned towards him, and her lips parted in silent horror when she realized she was about to lose her balance.
No, no, no!
The next thing she knew, she was already on the billionaire's lap, her breasts crushed against his chest.
Nooooooo!
Poppy jumped to her feet as soon as she felt her nipples pucker into life.
"Are you alright?"
Poppy didn't even think of what she was doing. The moment she saw the billionaire was about to turn to look at her, she grabbed hold of his head and forced him to look back.
No way would she let him look at her while her nipples were still fully erect.
Heather did her best not to laugh as she watched things go from bad to worst for Poppy. But when her curious gaze turned to Valerian, and she saw the taut expression that darkened his features—-
Oh no.
The next twenty minutes seemed to last forever, and Heather quickly called for a cabin boy as soon as she saw Poppy untie the barber cape layered over Valerian's broad shoulders. "Could you escort Ms. Cortez to the saloon below?" She mustered a smile for Poppy, saying, "I'll join you in a bit."
Heather waited until she was alone with Valerian before confronting him. "You know. Don't you?"
Valerian's face turned expressionless, but this didn't fool her at all.
"I saw the look on your face. How long have you—-"
"From the start."
Heather's jaw dropped. "And you're okay with it?" The Valerian she knew would've gotten rid of Poppy right away, if only to avoid unnecessary complications.
"Don't look so surprised. You knew from the start as well, but you've also let her stay, and likely for the same reasons I have."
"Then..." Heather needed to spell this one out, for Poppy's sake. "You also believe she won't ever cross the line?"
"She's too nice to ever do so."
The casual indifference in Valerian's tone suddenly made Heather feel guilty. While keeping Poppy on their payroll saved her from worrying about Valerian's safety, the same thing likely made it more difficult for the other girl to get over the billionaire.
Was it time to let Poppy go?
Chapter Six
"REGARDE, MON AMOUR," Camelia purred with vicious delight as she untangled herself from her boyfriend.
Valerian's lips tightened when he saw where - or rather who - his lover was staring at.
Fuck, he knew it.
Camelia had been so insistent that he stick with his usual schedule for getting his hair trimmed. It had seemed a harmless thing to do, not to mention how his girlfriend's argument had also made sense.
You always say you hate wasting time, and it was my decision to host this party. I'll reserve one of the poolside cabanas for your use. I'm sure our guests won't mind if you're gone for half an hour or less.
But looking at Poppy now, he realized too late that he was wrong.
Why, dammit?
She had been working for him for over eight months now. He had taken care not to exchange more than a few words with her, and Heather herself had told him Poppy was very much aware of his relationship with Camelia.