CHAPTER 67

Derrick shot him an inscrutable look. He made a V with his fingertips and rested his chin against them in a thoughtful manner.

“And what does she think about all of this? You?” Derrick amended.

“Are we talking personally or professionally here?” James asked coolly.

“Personally. We’re all very protective of Sophia. I don’t want to see her get hurt. You are precisely the kind of man she doesn’t need.”

“I disagree. She’s mine,” James repeated. “That’s all you need to know. She’s currently staying with me after working herself into the ground last week while I was gone. She collapsed in the office and I took her home so I could take care of her. God knows someone needed to. But if you think I in any way forced her, you’re wrong. She’s there willingly. I have every intention of keeping her out of work the remainder of this week as well. She’s exhausted and she needs the break. And when she comes back, I want it to be in the capacity of more than our office manager. So that gives you a week