As she shot him a glare in silence, he simply put an arm on her shoulder and said, “Come on.Let’s go upstairs.”
He then paused and turned to the receptionist, “This is my wife.Just let her upstairs the next time she comes here.”
“Yes, Mr.Althoff,” she replied, though her eyes were on Abigail.
She was certainly in awe that a woman like her tamed Diarmuid, though her good looks were undeniable.
Abigail finally spoke once they got inside the elevator.
“Why did you say that when the receptionist was right there? You’re terrible.” Diarmuid raised a brow.
“Really? I don’t think there’s anything bad about that.Or maybe you don’t want people to know who you are?”
Before Abigail could answer, he leaned in and whispered flirtatiously into her ear, “What do you want me to say? That you’re my lover, destined to be kept hidden from everyone?”
Abigail tried to shove at him with her elbow, but he reacted quickly and dodged it.
Still, Abigail was glaring as she complained, “Aren’t you worried that everyone in the office sees you behaving like this?”
Diarmuid simply flashed a charming smile.
“Let them watch all they want.I’m always a serious gentleman, and they’d believe that you’re the one enticing me if they saw me behaving like a shameless dirtbag.”
“You’re impossible!”
Abigail snapped and tried to punch at him, but he quickly restrained her by the wrist and firmly pulled, allowing her to fall into his arms while he held her slender waist with his other arm.As Abigail’s body was held tightly against his, she could not get away even as she struggled.
“Let me go, Diarmuid Althoff!” She growled his full name.
Diarmuid lowered his gaze, his thick brows hiding his slight smile.
“Kiss me, and I will.”
“You’re shameless,” Abigail snapped, but reared her head anyway.
“There’s cameras. Not caring about your image now?”
“I’ll just have it deleted,” he replied.
“Close your eyes,” Abigail said, wanting to get it over with.
Diarmuid was naturally cooperative.
Still, the elevator stopped as Abigail leaned forward, and the doors opened to several figures standing outside. They had documents in their hands, and it was obvious that they were employees.
Abigail felt as if her head fried up right then, and her face turned red- hot!
Abigail quickly turned toward Diarmuid, who had released her without her realizing it and stood there, looking all-serious.It was as if she was the one brazenly trying to kiss him.
“Mr.Althoff.” The employees at the door greeted Diarmuid just then.
“Yeah,” Diarmuid replied flatly.
“Come in.” He took Abigail’s hand then and stepped outside, not forgetting to introduce her as they went.
“She’s my wife. Greet her properly the next time you see her.”
“Yes, Mr.Althoff.”
The employees all agreed with one voice and turned toward Abigail.
“Hello, Mrs.Althoff.”
“Hello.”
Abigail smiled politely, but she loathed Diarmuid just then for making her look like a fool.
First impressions were vital, and what were the people in this building going to think of her now? Diarmuid had completely ruined her image! Once inside Diarmuid’s office and the door closed behind them, she grabbed Diarmuid by the collar down to eye-level.
She had no choice since he was too tall—it was the only way to look into his eyes without standing on her toes.
“You wanted that, didn’t you? You wanted to embarrass me in public, Diarmuid Althoff!” Diarmuid arched his back to play along.
“It’s not embarrassing.You just wanted a kiss from your husband, and they just happened to spot you.You’re my legitimate wife and not some secret mistress— what are you worried about?”
“I’m not worried,” Abigail growled in utter frustration.
“It’s the impression I’m leaving.” Diarmuid smiled.
“Did I ruin it for you?”
“You think?!” she snapped indignantly.
“Others would think that I’m just…” Diarmuid smiled as he pressed, “Just what?”
Abigail tapped his chest with a knuckle.
“Stop it already.You’re always bullying me, too…”
“Myr. Althoff…?”
Elliot the secretary was standing at the doorway, holding a tray of coffees and unsure if he should enter or leave.
“Sorry, I forgot to knock.”
After the mess with Debbie the secretary, Diarmuid made sure to hire a male as his secretary this time since he needed the help.
Elliot kept his head down tactfully as if seeing nothing.
At the same time, Abigail was speechless and slowly released Diarmuid’s collar, turning her back to the door since she was too embarrassed to face anyone.
Diarmuid straightened himself then, adjusted his collar, and said, “Put it on the table.”
Elliot entered and put the coffee on the table, before hurrying outside and closing the door behind him.
“The coffee here is good.Try it,” Diarmuid told Abigail then.
“You can have it.” Abigail pouted and started to leave.
Diarmuid caught her.
“Are you upset?”Abigail was certainly indignant.
“I wanted to leave work with you, not embarrass myself.” Diarmuid hugged her tenderly then.
“What’s embarrassing about this? Flirting and squabbling is a way to make things exciting for married couples.They are all envious after seeing us—they won’t be laughing at you.”
“Don’t try to swindle me—I’m not an idiot.You’re a man with stature, so how are people going to think when you have such a coquettish wife?”
Abigail’s eyes were red from sheer rage.
“It’s all your fault.”
“Fine, it’s my fault.” Diarmuid apologized.
“I’m sorry. I won’t make you kiss me in the office. Let’s kiss once we get home.”
Abigail was speechless again, but he caught her hand when she tried to hit him again, saying, “You won’t beat me.”
While Abigail could not say a word to that, he leaned in and whispered into her ear, “I won’t make you kiss me, honest —but I’ll kiss you.” With that, he pressed his lips against hers. Abigail’s eyes widened in surprise!
Abigail forgot how to react right then as she spaced out, allowing Diarmuid to kiss her as much as he wanted.
Abigail slowly softened, her temper calming.
After a long while, Diarmuid released her, and her lips were bright red like peaches that were just soaked in water.She lowered her gaze.
“What time will you leave work?”
“Maybe later.I have a meeting at six,” he said.
Abigail checked her wristwatch —it was almost six.
“I’ll wait.”
“Okay,” Diarmuid said.
Abigail then settled herself on the couch and started reading a book she picked randomly.
Diarmuid picked up his coffee and sat beside her.
“Let’s salvage your image on another occasion.” Abigail hated the mere mention of that.
“Fine,” she said, seemingly resigning herself since it was pointless now.
“Though they’d think less of you since I left a bad impression, believing that you have poor taste, picking a woman who only thinks about getting frisky. I’m no domestic goddess anyway, so they can say whatever they like.”
“That’s the spirit.” Diarmuid chuckled.
“It’s their opinion, so let them be. Now, have some coffee to calm down.”
Abigail had actually let it go, but was slightly irked again at Diarmuid’s words.
“Go to your meeting already. Quit hovering around me—it’s annoying.”
New Book: Back Home to Marry Off Myself
Loredana’s father left the family for his mistress, leaving them to fend for themselves abroad. When life was at its toughest, her father showed up with “good news” after 8 years of absence: To marry off Loredana to a paralyzed son of the wealthy Mendelsohn family.
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