His Naughty Lessons-Chapter 231: Golden Key

** Eli **

They went for another round. And another. And another. At some point in between, they drifted into brief naps as they cuddled way too comfortably together, but those breaks never lasted long. Harper slept much lighter than usual, probably because she remembered subconsciously that they had better plans than dozing off for the rest of the night. She would wake at the slightest stir, and she’d nudge the man wrapped around her like a heated blanket. Then they’d keep going until one of them collapsed again.

When the soft glow of morning sunlight started to shine through the seam of the curtains, Eli had half a mind to stay in bed like this all day and skip work. He’d totally pretend to be sick and refuse to get up ... if not for the little workaholic in his arms who would never agree to such a plan.

"What time is it now?" the little workaholic asked with her face still buried against his cheek, when she noticed he was checking his phone for the clock. "I don’t want to get up yet, you are so comfy to sleep on ... But I have a few interviews lined up today. The first one starts at nine and I can’t be late as the hiring manager."

Ah, that’s right. Pulling his mind reluctantly back to work, Eli remembered she had told him earlier that her official promotion had finally gone through upon their return from Hawaii. The girl was a manager now, and she’d be busy this whole week interviewing potential candidates for her new interns. Although it was slightly ironic and unfortunate that she had to put so much effort into hiring someone whose job was to alleviate her workload in the first place, Eli felt overwhelmingly proud of her, and he couldn’t be more glad for all the opportunities this venture project had brought for her career.

Even if that meant he couldn’t keep her in his bed all day like he wished.

"It’s not seven yet. Still early." He put away his phone and gathered her closer, stroking her hair that had turned into damp tangles from too much cardio workout. He loved it even more that way. "Why don’t you get some sleep? Some real sleep, before you have to get up and take care of real important businesses that’s not me. I’ll wake you up in an hour."

He wasn’t slightly jealous of the interview candidates when he said that. Not at all.

A puff of chuckle tickled his cheek. "You are my important business. You know that." She nuzzled him lazily with the tip of her nose. "But I do have to get out of this bed eventually ... and probably in less than an hour. I think it takes about forty minutes to get to my office from here on the subway."

"Only fifteen minutes by car. I’ll have my assistant get the ride ready for you." For once, Eli was happy for the convenient privileges that came with the job he never wanted. "And I’ll make you breakfast when you shower. Pancakes or omelets?"

Harper glanced up at him. A naughty smile lifted one side of her lips. "Hmm, glad I don’t have to be the one burning pancakes this time ... but just coffee will do today. I’m still very full from a whole night’s feasting, you see."

The teasing gleam in her eyes made his insides itch, and Eli couldn’t help pinching her chin until she ouched with a laugh.

"Then get your sleep, before I change my mind and decide that I’m the one still hungry for some breakfast in bed," he threatened her with a nibble on her lips. Then he pulled the blanket over and covered up his little demoness before his threat came true.

~ ~

Justin sounded surprised when he got the call for a car ride. So did Harper, when she saw the shiny Maybach pull into the driveway.

"Wait. When you said ’get the ride ready’, I didn’t know you actually meant making your assistant come all the way here to pick me up!" His girlfriend gaped at him. "Eli! You’re gonna make me look bad by overworking your staff on my behalf for something so trivial."

"Justin is as far as you can get from overworked." Eli rolled his eyes at the nonconcern. "This car was supposed to be my exclusive ride, but I never cared much for it, so it’s been sitting almost completely idle for the past couple of months. So much so that we even ended up reassigning my fulltime chauffeur. As a result, our lucky Justin has been keeping it entirely to himself in the name of ’having it ready at all times for his boss’." He squeezed Harper’s hand, which he was holding tightly in his. "Today is a good time to put that readiness to good use. I can’t just take you to work in my crappy little Honda, after all."

"Aww, what a lovely sight to walk into first thing in the morning!" Justin beamed as he came out of the driver’s seat, winking at their held hands. "Welcome to your honeymoon ride, boss." He opened the back door for them with a flourish. "I picked up some fresh coffee and bakeries for you guys, by the way. In case you were — ah, in too much rush to have breakfast earlier. Hope you’ll enjoy!"

Eli raised an eyebrow at the charming way his assistant smiled. Smartass, this guy had learned too quickly in Hawaii that shipping a lovestruck boss with the object of that love was the golden key to a handsome bonus.

Not that the boss minded the bonus. But he did mind how overly enthusiastic his assistant had gotten and how brightly Harper was smiling back. Especially how she thanked the guy in such a sweet voice and bathed him with so much appreciative attention.

Eli suddenly regretted his decision a little. He should’ve simply called for the car to be delivered and driven it himself!

"Alright, let’s get going then before Harper runs late." He reached for the door a bit too hastily, stepping in front of his girl to block her from the driver’s view, and she blinked at him in puzzlement as he all but carried her into the car.