I attended Oxford.”
That’s when I knew this man was most likely born into his wealth. “Oxford, huh? As in the prestigious Oxford University?”
“Graduated first in my class. Damn American,” he said in a dramatic voice. “That’s what my UK friends say anyway.” He laughed as he opened double doors to what could’ve been the fucking queen’s bed chambers. He looked at me as I took in this room that had a bed bigger than I’d ever seen, “My friend Alex attended with me, graduating behind me. That pissed them off too, but after a few drinks at the pub, all was well again.”
“So, you are crazy smart, went to a prestigious college, and strapped on a tool belt?”
Okay, this small gesture he hit me with more than once last night—the tight smile while biting the inside of his cheek—it was sexy as hell. I already knew he was overwhelmingly handsome, but he had these expressions that made me want to impulsively kiss him more than once while I ate last night. He’s lucky the food was a fantastic distraction.
“I don’t like limits, and if there’s a challenge, I rise to it. I also hate failing on any level.”
“No wonder why you’re in the businessman life. Careful of that, I saw you with your phone. That thing will have you failing at actual life if you’re not careful.”
“How so?” he said as the men brought in my luggage. “How can I fail by using my phone to keep me from being a prisoner behind office walls? It helps me get out and do things.”
“Well, it’s a matter of perspective, I guess. I’m not one to judge, and I’m not running a business. I can say, though, that by watching you stare at the phone for an hour and a half straight, it seems like you’re in more of a prison than you think. It might be a virtual one, but you’re confined nonetheless.”
His face grew somber, and his eyes raptly studied mine. It was so intense that I had to look away, a bit embarrassed that I’d overstepped my bounds. “You can send me back to London if I’m pissing you off,” I tried to tease.
His lips subtly pulled up on one side. “Why would you believe you pissed me off?”
“The look you’re giving me,” I said.
“Far from that.” His expression recovered, “I’m sorry. Sometimes when I’m lost in thought, I believe I have my old man’s expression. It looks like I’m irritated or angry, I think.”
“Resting bitch face, huh?” I folded my arms. “Well, now I want to know what you were thinking.”
“Yeah, a resting bitch face,” he said, amused by my response. “Well, I was thinking that you keep surprising me. This might sound horribly conceited, but no woman has ever called me out on anything. I’ve never met a woman who was so genuine and authentic before.”
“Well, I’m not afraid of you, if that’s what you’re getting at.”
“Perhaps you should be.”
“Gonna throw me in the dungeon?” I arched my eyebrow at him.
He laughed, slicing through this weird tension we’d created. “I might.”
“Can I eat something before you get all medieval on me?”
“Lunch. Yes, right.” He ran his hand through his hair. “Okay, quick tour. This is your room; do you approve?”
“Yes. I more than approve, and I might ask you to hire me so I can live here and keep the place up with all of those people who greeted us when we got here.”
He grinned. “Well, they’ve been dismissed to vacation while I’m here, so I would never see you if I visited if I were to hire you on as Adelaile staff. I simply can’t hire you.”
“Damn shame,” I said. “Food?”
“What are you up for eating? Everything is stocked and ready for me to be your personal chef during your stay.”
“I could eat a cow.”
He grinned and turned to guide me out of the room. “Let’s see what I can pull off.”
While I sat across the stone kitchen island, watching Jim chop vegetables like a top chef, I rested my chin on my palm, watching him throw pieces of cut meat into a sauté pan in on the gas stove that was built into the island in front of me.
“So, what’s your story, Jim?” I asked, watching him with adoration as he stood there with his sleeves rolled up and his tie thrown over his shoulder, and the most delicious aromas wafted up from that pan.
“My story?” he questioned, pulling out a pot, filling it with