“Do you need something?” I raise my brow.

Natalie is a woman left in my care by her deceased grandfather, whom I respect and owe a great deal to. She had been an orphan, adopted by the Quinns, and old Mr. Quinn had entrusted his business and her well-being to my hands.

Agreeing to take care of her had been the least I could do to help him rest in peace.

She eyes me before shaking her head.

“Nothing, really. I just came to thank you for allowing me to stay here a little longer. I know that you already have a lot on your plate, and I have my own responsibilities. So, this is me expressing my gratitude.”

“There’s no need. It’s my responsibility,” I reply dismissively, pulling a file from the stack of documents in front of me.

She shrugs and walks over to set the tray on my desk. She quietly pours the steaming tea into the empty cup.

“Having coffee too often isn’t the best for one’s health, especially at night. Tea is a lot healthier.”

“Mmm.”

Giving her a quick sideways glance, I bury my nose in the file. Her presence is something I have learned to tolerate over the years. The woman knows her boundaries, and that is something I appreciate.

“Anything more?” I nudge.

I know she wouldn’t come into my office just to express thanks.

She blinks when our eyes meet, looking startled at my prodding.

“I’ll leave you to your business, then. Goodnight.”

Silently turning on her heels, I watch her sashay toward the door, her hips swaying with each step. I stiffen uncomfortably, realizing that my eyes have become more attuned to her after having held her in my arms and felt her body pressed against mine earlier.

“Dress appropriately when you go to work.”

It is an order.

She pauses for a moment and then looks back at me with a smirk.

“What do you take me for? I’m not a child.”

“Mmm.”

Chapter 3

NATALIE

S tomping resentfully, I march my way back to my bedroom. I was obviously

pushing my luck thinking of asking him about moving out. He has always

made it crystal clear that everything he does for me is his responsibility, never out of actual care or concern. If I were to bring up the topic, I’m sure he’d toss the idea out instantly, insisting it’s his obligation to keep me safe and all that blah-blah-blah.

I sigh heavily after slipping into my pajamas, staring listlessly at the dew that’s formed on my window. Fortunately, the rain has stopped, but regardless of the absence of thunder and lightning outside, there’s a storm brewing inside my head.

I’m not a child anymore.

If my grandfather were around, he would have already allowed me to move out on my own.

Living with a cold man like Derik in a large, desolate place, having my every move dictated and scrutinized, has only made me feel emptier through the years.

If only he could show me a little warmth, then it wouldn’t be so bad.

I would be a liar if I said that I’ve never once felt my heart flutter when near him. But he never fails to remind me that he’s only concerned with what is expected of him, and there is nothing more to it. Derik Lewis is all business and nothing but.

Clearly, he doesn’t want me to get the wrong idea.

The idea that he might actually have a heart.

Over time I’ve gotten used to him, numbing out and finally getting over my stupid, unrequited crush. It could never work out anyway. My background is not as affluent as his and, in a sense, we’re like family.

I’ll head downtown and do some shopping for new clothes tomorrow. I refuse to give him the chance to see me as incompetent and childish when I show up for work. Turning off my bedside lamp, I curl up and drift off to sleep.

“Good morning, Ms. Quinn.”

William, a professional man in his late thirties, greets me with a plain expression on his face when I enter the breakfast room in the morning. Seeing that Derik is not around, I frown. He’s never been one to skip breakfast.

“Mr. Lewis has business to attend to at the headquarters. He had to fly back to San Francisco early this morning to deal with it.”

I flash a polite smile and nod in response.

Derik is a busy man, after all. Being the chairman of a large and listed company like Lewis Corporation is not child’s play. I admire his discipline and work ethic, but I can’t understand his character and disposition.

“Mr. Lewis also told me to help you choose appropriate clothes for work. He’s collected a list of brands and new releases for this season. Would you like to

have a look?”

I flash a look of suspicion toward the tablet in his hand.

“He asked you to do what?”

“These are the styles he’s approved of,” William responds, swiping and scrolling on the gadget. “I’ll make calls and have them delivered today after you finish choosing.”

My jaw drops.

I’ve never been stingy. I have my own financial freedom. Thanks to the assets my grandfather left me, money has never been an issue. But I can’t get around the fact that Derik has the time to nitpick what kind of clothes I should be wearing.

Is he trying to impose martial law on me?

I scoff silently.