Possibly.
“That’s her room?” Dane asked.
“Yes, sir.”
“Been hers all along?”
“Of course.” Al hesitated, then added, “If you’re worried about Miss Sophia, there’s really no need. She’s been treated with every bit of decorum and respect she is due.”
Dane shook his head as he entered his own suite. Al had no idea how unreassuring his words were. Sophia was Betsy’s daughter, and it was true that Geraldine hated Betsy. But Salazar wasn’t particularly close to his sister, and his idea of the level of “decorum and respect” Sophia was due was probably very different from Al’s. The butler should’ve known better.
After all, he’d been with Salazar for decades. Just like Dane.
Chapter Nineteen
The next morning, Sophia walked Roco and went to the breakfast room. There was only Salazar at the table. She glanced at the clock. If Dane didn’t join them soon, he’d be late for work. He didn’t seem like the type to be tardy.
Salazar set aside his newspaper and smiled. “Good morning, dear. How did you enjoy your first day at work?”
“It was great. Thank you.”
“Any difficulties and you let me know.”
“Of course,” she lied. She had no intention of involving Salazar.
Al set her breakfast of scrambled eggs and fruit salad and yogurt. She murmured her thanks. When he was finished pouring her morning tea, she turned to Salazar. “There’s something I need to talk to you about. I hope you don’t take it the wrong way.”
“What is it?” Salazar peered at her over a fine, bone-china coffee cup.
“I’m afraid I won’t be able to drive your car anymore.”
“Not dri—? What do you mean? It’s a great car!”
“Oh, I know. It is a great car…but it’s too much.”
“In what way?”
“It just…draws too much attention. And it’s too valuable. What if I get into an accident?”
He shrugged. “I’m sure the other driver will have a heart attack, wondering how he’s going to pay for it.”
She choked on her tea, but managed to not spit any of it out. “Yes, well… Now that Dane’s here, it’ll be easy enough to carpool.” If he could invade her space, she could return the favor. She didn’t want him thinking he could intimidate her that easily.
“Ride with Dane? He drives slower than my dead mother.”
“Observing the speed limit is hardly a flaw.”
Sophia turned in the direction of the cold voice and almost swallowed her tongue. Dane stood at the doorway, topless. Sweat beaded on his tanned skin and rolled down the hard planes. She’d seen a lot of good bodies—after all, she’d been surrounded by young athletes in their prime—but Dane’s physique redefined greatness. So much power leashed in those big muscles. Not an ounce of fat on him anywhere.
She remembered how strong he’d been. He’d caught her like she weighed nothing. Carried her to the bedroom effortlessly. Pulled her close to his body.
Heat curled in her belly.
It was unfair. If a man spent most of his time in the office, he should have a soft, pale body that didn’t make her mouth water or cheeks flush.
“Are you joining us?” Salazar said.
“I don’t have much appetite.”
“Didn’t you just go for a run?”
“Should I feel like eating, I’ll grab something in the office cafeteria.”
“Suit yourself. You always do.”
“Learned from the best.” Dane went upstairs.
Sophia turned her head to watch him climb the stairs. The workout shorts showed off his tight butt.
“Asshole,” Salazar muttered.
“Excuse me?” Sophia said.
“Nothing.” Salazar smiled, but his eyes stayed cold. “Nothing at all.”
* * *
Sophia waited for Dane to show up in the foyer. It didn’t take long.
He came down in a suit, hair still slightly damp from a shower. He smelled like spicy aftershave, soap and clean male flesh.
A small frown creased his eyebrows when he noticed her, but he walked past, his thumb scrolling the screen of his phone. Without looking up, he opened the door and walked down a few steps to the cars waiting outside.
“I need a ride,” she said, following him out.
He paused, then turned around. “Are you talking to me?”
“Of course I’m talking to you.”
“What happened to the Aston Martin?”
She shrugged. “I decided not to drive it anymore.”
“Why not?”
“I don’t want any misunderstanding.”
He gestured at a red Lamborghini. “You think carpooling is going to prevent a misunderstanding?”