Page 59 of The Perfect Pick Up


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“At all times?” Thea regretted her flippant tone.

Gemma grinned. “I’ll be honest. I barely leave my desk, so I have you to thank for my morning’s distractions.”

Did Felix work his staff so hard? And why were so many people in the office on a Saturday? She had to work seven days a week at the sanctuary but only because there were other lives to look after. Animals to keep alive. Surely his hotel wouldn’t suffer if his staff had the occasional day off?

Gemma laid her phone on her desk and pushed open the massive door. Butterflies that’d had far too much caffeine bashed against Thea’s ribcage, and she took a steadying breath and strode into Felix’s office behind Gemma.

The room was bright. Blinding, even. It took Thea a second or two to adjust her eyes to the glare. Once she did, though, her gaze fell on Felix.

He stood silhouetted against a vast window, his broad back contrasting with the taper of his waist. He was on the phone, looking over the Thames. They were so high up that she could only see the tip of Tower Bridge. He was like a king, untouchable in his ivory tower.

Gemma gestured for Thea to sit opposite Felix's desk in the black leather chair. The room was masculine and modern. Dark wooden furniture punctuated the cream canvas of the walls, and a series of large artworks fought for dominance. Thea glanced for any personal items lurking on his desk, checking out the pictures lined in a neat row. Lucas, Felix, Lucas, and Lucas again. Thea let out a breath. No sign of his ex-wife.

This weekend, Thea was determined to understand Felix’s reluctance to talk about the ex-Mrs. Walsh. Her limited internet stalking said they were well and truly divorced. So why was she constantly in contact?

“We’ll talk at the party,” he said into the receiver in his hand, the low burr of his voice like balm to Thea’s nerves. She’d grown quite accustomed to its tone. “I have to go.”

Felix hung up and turned around. As he did, the sun lit him up, all blond and dreamy, and damn, he looked good in a suit. Thea found her bottom lip with her teeth.

If she‘d been concerned his ardour had wilted over the last week, the burn in his eyes told a different story. And right now, he wore enough Christian Grey vibes to make Thea agree to sign any contract he’d offer, safety word or none.

She reached down for the scrunchie on her wrist, plucking at its elastic and letting it go. The slap of fabric against her skin calmed her.

“Thank you, Gemma,” he said, giving his assistant the smallest of smiles. He waited for her to leave, and as soon as the door closed, he turned to Thea.

“Hello, Mr. Walsh,” she said in the most seductive tone she could muster. With a smirk, she crossed her legs, immediately regretting it. He’d probably worry she’d got mud on the carpet.

Instead, Felix ran his eyes over her thighs, and his lips nudged at the corners. He came over to sit on the edge of his desk, one eyebrow raised.

“Mr. Walsh, is it now?”

“Oh, I’m just trying to fit in. I wondered if you’d expect me to curtsy. To drop to my knees in deference.”

Felix let out a low chuckle. “Don’t tempt me, but I wouldn’t want your brother getting the wrong idea again.”

“But would it be the wrong idea?” Thea asked, curling the words around on her tongue. A shiver ran through her at the flash of fire in his eyes. She was acting like a little brat, but Felix seemed happy to play along.

After a moment, though, his face took on a serious expression, and he reached for her hand. She took his, the warmth of his palm wrapping around her fingers.

“Considering your visit here is a charitable donation to Clavenham Primary School, I think we need to have some official conditions set in place. I don’t want any blurred lines. Any misunderstandings. Nothing to get the school in trouble.”

“Sorry?”

Felix held her gaze, his green eyes running deeper than the Grand Canyon. “I thought we had an agreement that this weekend is your prize? What you bid on. A night with me.”

“Felix! The prize was an evening with you, not an entire night. And I remember there being an emphasis on spending time with you professionally, not personally.”

Felix shook his head. “That’s not how I remember it.”

Thea narrowed her eyes. “Even if Persephone Murray had won?”

The low growl of Felix’s chuckle hit her straight between the thighs. “I’d rather break a leg than spend any time withher.”

Thea shifted in her seat. Felix still held her hand, his thumb stroking her knuckles.

“So, if this is more than a professional visit, what are your conditions?” She hardly dared to ask.

“I’m going to spoil you.”