The Billionaire's Wife(18)

Chapter Ten





When I see his name pop up on my cell I don’t want to answer. I’m afraid I’ll give myself away and he’ll know that I’ve been comparing him to the likes of wife murderers throughout history. The more I let it ring though the more I feel like he’s going to know something is wrong and finally just as it’s about to ring off I pick it up.



“Miss Gainsborough I presume?” I lean backwards on my bed staring at the ceiling.



“Perhaps…”



“Well, if it’s not, you sound just like her.”



“Well it depends who you’re looking for doesn’t it? I mean if you’re looking for the girl you left all alone in your bed this morning then yes, that’s me.” I can’t help it; I had to let him know just how hurt I am.



“Ouch. A guy has to work you know…”



“Mmmm, a guy could also have manners enough to say goodbye before he leaves for work.” I look for patterns in the ceiling paint and try so very hard to sound like I don’t care. He’s silent for a few minutes and then asks,



“Did you get the note I left?” Note? He calls that a note?



“If by note you mean a job application to be a ‘personal assistant’ then yes, although I would have preferred for it to have been a real note and said ‘gone to work, see yourself out’ because at least then I would have had some clue as to what was going on.” I don’t want to be angry; I don’t want to be the young bit on the side that can’t control her anger at not being picked first.



“And?” I get the feeling he is deliberately avoiding my objections to his one night stand etiquette.



“And I haven’t had a chance to look it over yet.”



“Oh…” He gets quiet for a moment, “do you think you could come to my place tonight?” This single line makes me feel like a cheap booty call and I take offense.



“No, it’s already getting late and I have a morning shift tomorrow.”



“Oh…maybe tomorrow then?” I don’t want to say yes but as I contemplate how to decline I hear Allison’s voice in my head ‘what’s the problem?’



“I guess.”



“Perfect, think you can make it about noon?” Although it leaves me very little time to get showered and changed after work I agree.



“Sure. I’ll meet you in the office lobby.” I can’t deny that the opportunity to rub my relationship with Gideon in his bitchy receptionist’s face leaves me feeling more than a little vindicated. Maybe he wants to talk to me about the former Mrs. Lambert? Maybe he wants to ask me to be the next Mrs. Lambert? No, okay, way too soon for that but there has to be a reason other than a booty call that he wants me there so early tomorrow.



“Sure, I’ll leave my space empty for you, just pull in up front it’s the first space to the right of the valet podium.”



I contemplate telling Allison about the “date” tomorrow but I already know what her reaction will be, she’ll tell me to go with it and that is exactly what I’ve done. I will meet him in the lobby, give that smug bitch receptionist something to look at and maybe get some answers about just who Mrs. Lambert is…or more to the point, where Mrs. Lambert is.





Chapter Eleven





Work has me running late but I manage to pull up in front of Lambert Enterprises just five minutes after I’m supposed to. I pull in to a space marked for Mr. G. Lambert directly at the front of the building next to the valet podium and hurry through the revolving door in time to find Gideon standing at reception and checking his watch against Olivia, the receptionist’s. Seizing the opportunity I walk up beside Gideon and give him a peck on the cheek, he turns both startled and embarrassed.



“You’re late.” His voice is stern but not angry.



“Sorry,” I shrug “traffic.” What’s a little white lie? He flashes a smile and places his hand on the small of my back.



“Well, I’m glad you’re here, late or not.” He spins me around and we head towards the stationary front door. Before we step through the door however, I can’t help but look back and note the look of amazement on Olivia’s face – I flash her the biggest smile I have in my arsenal and turn back to Gideon.



“Where are we going?” Gideon is pushing me lightly, his hand still on the small of my back as if he’s in a rush.



“You’ll see.” We step out in to the noon sun and he guides me towards his penthouse building next door. I feel disappointment as the realization that this is likely just another booty call sets in but as this thought crosses my mind Gideon says something almost psychically. “I got you something.”