Chapter 331
**Sara**
I collapsed onto the couch after work, kicking off my heels with a satisfied groan. My feet were killing me after standing through three back-to-back presentations. The quiet of Tom's apartment wrapped around me like a blanket, peaceful but somehow too quiet without his presence.
His balcony had become my favorite spot over the past few days. I grabbed a mug of coffee and padded outside, settling into the plush outdoor sofa. The city sprawled below, lights twinkling as dusk settled in. Tom's view was infinitely better than mine, a perk of having billionaire parents, I supposed.
"Another exciting evening in the life of Sara Parker," I muttered to myself, blowing on my coffee. "Talking to yourself in your boyfriend's empty apartment."
I checked my phone for the hundredth time that day. There had been no new messages from Tom since our early morning exchange. He was probably buried in meetings again. The thought of him in some sleek conference room, intimidating everyone with his brilliance, made me smile.
Just a few more days until he'd be back.
I finished my coffee and set the mug aside, leaning back to look at the stars appearing overhead. The city lights dimmed their brilliance, but I could still make out a few persistent ones punching through the urban glow.
My phone buzzed suddenly, startling me. Tom's name flashed on the screen as a video call. I smoothed my hair quickly before answering.
"There she is," Tom's voice came through, his face filling my screen. He looked tired, his hair slightly disheveled, but his smile was warm.
I adjusted my position, angling the phone so he could see the view behind me. "See what you're missing?"
"I see something I'm missing, but it's not the view." His voice dropped lower, making my stomach do a little flip.
I rolled my eyes, trying to hide my smile. "Smooth talker. How was your day of important business stuff?"
"Brutal. Six hours of negotiations that could have been an email." He loosened his tie. "How was the family dinner? Did you survive?"
"Barely. Mom tried to feed me enough food for a small army, and Dad grilled me about my 401k options."
"Sounds like a Parker family classic."
"Oh!" I sat up straight, nearly dropping my phone. "I completely forgot to tell you something ridiculous. Charles gave me an ultimatum."
Tom's eyebrows shot up. "What kind of ultimatum?"
"He's giving me one year to find a boyfriend." I laughed, shaking my head. "And if I do, he'll buy me a new car."
"A car?" Tom's eyes widened. "That's... quite the incentive. What happens if you don't find someone?"
"I have to buy him a car instead. And potentially inherit his death trap Toyota."
Tom's laugh echoed through the speaker. "Well, this is convenient timing. You've got a boyfriend now. Why don't you introduce me?"
I nearly choked. "Boyfriend? Who said anything about a boyfriend? We haven't even started dating," I protested, feeling my cheeks heat up. "Don't try to tell me those dinners were dates. Those were... I don't know what those were. But we're having casual sex, and now-"
"Casual sex?" Tom interrupted, looking offended. "Is that what this is to you?"
"I—well—" I stammered, suddenly feeling like I'd stepped into a minefield. "What would you call it?"
"I'd call it the beginning of something." His voice softened. "But if you want proper dates now, I'm happy to oblige. In fact, I demand the right to take you on a proper date when I return."
"Just one?" I raised an eyebrow, trying to regain my footing in the conversation.
"I'll take you on so many dates you'll be sick of me," he promised. "Restaurants, movies, museums—the works. I'll even wear a tie."
"Nowadays, you always wear a tie."
"Then I'll take it off. Exclusively for you."
I snorted. "How romantic."
"I'm serious, Sara." His playful expression shifted to something more earnest. "Let me take you out properly when I get back."
My heart did a little stutter-step. "Fine. But I expect to be thoroughly wooed. I'm talking flowers, candlelight, the whole nine yards."
"Consider it done." His triumphant smile returned. "Now, you just need to decide what kind of car you want Charles to buy you."
"How many more days until you're back?" I asked, changing the subject before I said something embarrassingly honest about how much I missed him.
"If everything goes according to plan, I'll be back by the end of the week."
"Promise?"
"Cross my heart." He made the gesture solemnly. "Missing me that much, huh?"
"Your apartment is just really nice," I deadpanned. "The shower pressure is amazing."
"So you're just using me for my plumbing?"
"And your balcony. And your obscenely comfortable bed. And your coffee machine."
Tom laughed, the sound warming me from the inside out. "Well, feel free to enjoy all of the above until I get back. Then I might have to start charging rent."
"What's the going rate these days?" I asked, leaning back against the cushions.
"One hundred dollars per hour."
I nearly dropped my phone. "One hundred dollars per hour? Are you running a five-star hotel I don't know about?"
"Premium accommodations come with premium prices." He straightened his tie with exaggerated dignity.
"This is an apartment," I spluttered, gesturing around me even if he couldn't see the full effect. "Maybe a luxury apartment, but you're asking me to pay like this is Buckingham Palace."
"I have better water pressure than the palace."
"And you know this how exactly? Been showering with the royals lately?"
He laughed, the sound making me smile despite myself. "It's a reasonable assumption. Those places are hundreds of years old. Probably have pipes made of lead or something."
"So what am I getting for my hundred dollars per hour? Gold-plated toilet paper? A personal butler?"
"You get me," he said simply as if that explained everything.
"Hmm." I pretended to consider this. "That seems steep. What if I negotiate? Fifty dollars, and I'll water your plants."
"I don't have plants."
"Exactly. Low maintenance tenant right here."
Tom rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I could be persuaded to accept alternative forms of payment."
"I'm not cleaning your bathroom."
"Not what I had in mind."
I felt my cheeks warm at his tone. "Professor Thomas Blackwood, are you propositioning me?"
"Absolutely." His grin was downright wicked. "But we can discuss specific terms when I get back."
"You drive a hard bargain." I shifted, suddenly aware of how empty the bed would feel tonight.
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