I popped the top from the pills and shook three out in my palm, dropping them into my mouth. As I washed the pills down with some water, I overheard Richard talking. It was hard to get a clear understanding of what he was saying, but he sounded angry—something about an attorney and having to sign some documents.
I laid back down on the bed and closed my eyes, deciding to give the ibuprofen a few minutes to work before I went out to see Richard. His voice seemed to be getting louder, though, as if whoever he was speaking to didn’t want to cooperate.
“Tell her that I’ll sign those papers when I’m good and ready, and only if she agrees to my terms. I refuse to let her jerk me around anymore. What she's doing is pretty low, even for someone like Heather.”
I thought back over the past year to all of our conversations but couldn’t remember Richard ever mentioning someone named Heather. I realized that it probably had to do with some property his company was purchasing. Richard worked incredibly hard, which made me like him even more even though his father was a billionaire too.
“The test isn’t necessary, Danielle. I’ve seen the pictures. I mean, I see what you’re saying, but it’d just be a waste of time and money.” As he paused to let this Danielle person speak, I started to wonder who she was.
The name sounded familiar, but I still couldn’t put a face to it.
“That’s fine. Heather knows that money isn’t an issue. I’m surprised she isn’t asking for more.” My mouth fell open a little bit.
Richard was strict when it came to negotiations. Either way, it wasn't any of my business.
When he stopped talking, I slowly slipped out of bed and put my shoes on. One look in the mirror, and I rolled my eyes. My hair was a complete mess, and I desperately needed a cup of coffee.
I pulled my hair back and let myself out of the guest bedroom. Richard’s office was directly across the hall. He was sitting behind his dark oak desk, staring at something on his cellphone, and his eyebrows scrunched together. Whatever that conversation was about had put him in a bad mood.
He looked up at me and smiled, but his eyebrows remained scrunched.
“Hey,” I said. “Is everything okay?”
Richard’s smile appeared to get wider, grinning from ear to ear as he turned off his computer.
“Yes, just work stuff. How did you sleep last night?”
“Just like a baby,” I said, making my way over to his desk and sitting down in a chair.
He looked utterly handsome, even though he was simply wearing a grey t-shirt and sweatpants.
“I figured you could use some pain relievers,” he said, laughing a little bit. I nodded and put a hand to my head. “You enjoyed that shiraz, didn’t you?”
I tilted my head. “Yes, but perhaps a tad too much.”
He stood up and walked over to me, helping me up with his hand. “I think a hearty breakfast will do the trick.”
He put his arms around me as we made our way downstairs. It felt natural to be against him that way, my petite body sinking into his muscular one. Even the way we walked downstairs was in sync.
I sat down at the counter and watched him make coffee. “Is your job always that stressful?”
He shrugged his shoulders, and I got the feeling that he didn’t want to give out too much information.
“It’s nothing that I can’t handle,” he said. “Jake and I inherited our fathers’ work ethic, so I’ll survive.”
As I watched the coffee brew, Richard made us some pancakes, bacon, and eggs. The smell alone was making my mouth salivate.
“Stress can be a good thing,” I said, “but you’d be surprised about how too much of it can damage your body. I’ve read books and even attended seminars that show the physical side effects of living a stressful lifestyle. It’s one of the many reasons that I chose to stay in River Valley, and live a normal, quiet life.”
“Sometimes I wonder if it’s all worth it,” he said. “I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t enjoy material things, such as vintage cars and a huge mansion. But there’s something to be said about the quality of your life, too. What’s the point in having all of this nice stuff if you don’t have time to enjoy it?”
“Exactly,” I said. “Although I haven’t had too much free time lately, either. If it weren’t for Crystal, I’d be working sixteen-hour days and sleeping in between classes. Which is something that I vowed never to do.”
“You’re a smart woman,” Richard replied, staring at me with those steel eyes.
I wanted to melt into him right at that moment. I wanted to climb into his arms. I wanted to kiss his seductive lips. Hell, the truth was, I just wanted him. All of him. At the same time, I was pretty sure that killer wine hangover I was suffering wasn’t going to let me do anything other than sit there.
“I’m a hungover woman right now.”