Chapter 334
Effie smiled. “Next time, I’ll buy it for you again. Or better yet, you can come with me and try it yourself-it’s really good.”
Lyman nodded. “Alright.”
He looked at her with a teasing glint in his eyes. “So, what brings you here today? Did you finally remember you have a husband?” His tone was playful, but there was a hint of sulking beneath it.
Lyman had invited Effie to join him for lunch several times before, but she’d always turned him down, worrying that someone might find out about their relationship.
He pretty much went along with whatever Effie wanted.
Effie glanced at him, a little embarrassed. “Well… actually, I have something I need to talk to you about.”
A flicker of disappointment crossed Lyman’s face. There’s that old saying-no one visits the church unless they need something. It looked like Effie really was here because she needed a favor.
Still, he forced a lighthearted smile. “Alright, out with it. What’s going on?”
Effie explained the situation with Shirley’s scheming. “Honestly, I didn’t want to bother you with this, but things have gotten out of hand. Those people are just getting too bold, so I had to tell you.”
Lyman shrugged. “Don’t worry about it. I’ll have Luther take care of it.”
Effie stood up, relief washing over her. “Thank you so much. I’ll just—”
Before she could finish, Lyman grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him.
Caught off guard, Effie lost her balance and tumbled into his arms, instinctively clutching at his shirt.
His scent-clean, fresh, and intoxicating-filled her senses. It set off a spark inside her, threatening to consume her whole.
She found herself breathless, her heart racing, her mouth suddenly dry.
“If you want my help,” Lyman murmured, his voice low and magnetic as he leaned in close his
breath warm against here Sexhis
I’ll
need something in return.” Content.
In that moment, Effie realized just how much of a businessman Lyman truly was. He never did anything without making sure he got something out of it.
He drew even closer, his lips almost brushing her skin. Effie felt a jolt run up her spine, tingling all the way to her scalp. Her stomach tightened.
Lyman inhaled deeply, drinking in her sweet scent-it reminded him of a slice of fresh orange pound cake, impossible to resist.
Suddenly, the office door swung open. Luther strode in, holding a thick file. “Mr. Etheridge, I have an urgent document for-“
He froze mid-sentence, his eyes wide. The words died in his throat.
His cheeks flushed bright red as he backed out of the room in a hurry. “Sorry to interrupt. I’ll let you two have your privacy.”
As he closed the door behind him, Luther stationed himself outside, making sure no one else would disturb Lyman.
He couldn’t help but mutter under his breath, rubbing his nose in embarrassment. “Why am I acting like some kind of… palace eunuch?”
People at the office always joked that Luther was Lyman’s chief of staff-
unflappable, efficient, and absolutely indispensable.
Luther thought to himself, If any other boss paid me a hundred grand a month, I’d
make sure to be just as attentive.
Back in the office, Effie snapped out
of her daze. She shoved Lyman away, her cheeks burning as if she’d caught fire. Fanning her face she shot him a glare.
“This is your fault! Now Luther’s going to get the wrong idea.”
A sly smile curled at the corners of Lyman’s mouth. His dark eyes stayed fixed on her parted lips as he slipped one arm around her waist, the other hand cradling the back of her head…