Expecting the Billionaire's Heir - Chapter 6

Ellie’s heart was lodged in her throat as she clung to Baz’s muscular body and his motorbike took the bend through the gates of the estate.

She felt him tense as the stately home came into view, limed in moonlight.

Westwick Hall really was magnificent, even covered in scaffolding as the work Lorenti’s recent investment had made possible got underway.

The palladium splendour of its frontage, elegant and imposing, had wowed her too when she’d arrived for her interview two years ago.

She loved her job, not just because she got on so well with all her colleagues, especially Tali—who was a wonderful boss—but because it was a symbol of how far she’d come. From the teenager in hand-me-down clothing, who had been passed around foster homes like a discarded doll after her time at Summerville.

She could tell Baz was blown away too when he braked in front of the house. The still night air settled around them as the bike’s engine idled.

‘Impressive,’ he murmured.

She eased back, aware she had been clinging to him.

The kiss in the bar had been unexpected—and absolutely breathtaking—the endorphins still charging through her body at the way he had devoured her.

But she didn’t want to get ahead of herself. The whole evening already felt surreal—and liberating. Because Baz was here and the connection between them, which had meant so much to her once, wasn’t broken anymore because he’d forgiven her.

Every time she thought of her past, the guilt and shame over her decision that night had made her doubt herself. It was one of the reasons she’d worked so hard since, to destroy that naive, needy child. To know she hadn’t ruined his life that night was huge, but their chemistry was a surprise… She’d been obsessed with him as a girl—her whole day brightened if he smiled at her—but that kiss felt like so much more.

She’d had boyfriends before now, but she’d never got close enough to any of them to want to tell them about her past. With Baz though, the connection, the trust was already there.

He shifted round to face her. ‘That’s where you live?’ he asked, the awe in his voice making her chest expand.

‘Not exactly.’ A self-deprecating laugh popped out. ‘I’m the estate manager. Acting estate manager,’ she qualified, not wanting to boast about the position she was so proud of—too much. ‘I’m living in the flat above the carriage house while my boss Tali’s away. She’s in Capri, on honeymoon,’ she added, the romance of Tali’s whirlwind marriage suddenly close enough to touch. ‘She just married Westwick’s owner, Dario Lorenti. They fell in love at first sight when he visited the estate a month ago…’

‘You’re kidding,’ Baz said, then let out a harsh laugh, the cynical glitter in his eyes making the romantic glow in Ellie’s heart dim. ‘No way is that the whole story,’ he murmured, more to himself than her. ‘Lorenti’s too smart to fall in love.’