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“What do you mean?”

“Well…” she sighs, “he doesn’t look at you like an assistant. Which could be fine. I managed to catch Mason, and our friend Kim is now married to Leo Kincaid. And he was wild…” Her mouth twitches. “But Triston, he’s so militantly a bachelor.”

I nod. “Trust me, I know. I don’t care how gorgeous he is…”

“He is that.”

“For Darius’s sake, if nothing else, I’ll keep my head.”

“Good,” she squeezes my hand and then gives my cheek a kiss. “Now tell me all about what you’ve been up to. I’ve been so busy, I feel like we haven’t had a proper catch up in ages.”

“No worries,” I wrap my arm around her, “I can imagine marriage places a lot of demands on your time.”

A blush fills her cheeks as she smiles in this secretive way. “You have no idea.”

I’m so happy for her, but the smallest bit of jealousy moves through me. It’s silly, so I reach for her hand again. “I’m so glad for you. In love and married. It’s so wonderful.”

Charlotte’s eyes slide down me. “Honeyeh, you could have any man in this room.” And then her gaze sweeps the crowd. “Should I introduce you to a few of them?”

I shake my head. I’m here to do a job, not find a husband. “Not tonight. Another time.”

She eyes me suspiciously and I know she knows. My new boss is the only man I can handle right now.

CHAPTER TWELVE

Triston

Irritation rollsof Mason in waves as we enter my office. Is he upset that I’ve brought Honeyeh to this event? I’m not apologizing. That’s a move for the weak.

If Killian were in my place, he wouldn’t even offer up an explanation. He’d stare back at Mason with a silent but clearly implied,mind your fucking business. I debate the strategy, as I pour a glass of whisky for myself and another for him from the sideboard. He takes a seat on the other side of my desk.

I hand him the glass. “Are you fucking her?”

I appreciate directness, but I take a sip of my drink and slide into my own seat. “No. Would it be a problem if I did?”

I see his lips thin over his teeth. I’ll take that as a yes. “She is not one of your women to use and toss aside, Triston.”

I get his meaning. “Toss aside? Is that what I do?”

He sits back in his chair. “You know what I mean.”

“I do. That’s the problem.”

“Don’t play hurt with me. You’ve dripped her in expensive labels, covered her in jewels. She looks like…”

“Like she belongs,” I say for him.

He pauses, cocking his head to the side as his gaze searches mine. “I mean what I say. I took up your offer to place her in your house because I wanted her out from under the influence of men who might take advantage.”

“Why not employ her in your house?” But the words are bitter on my tongue. I want Honeyeh here.

“She’s Charlotte’s friend. She can’t be staff. And she’s got too much pride to just take my money.”

The fact he’d give her money has my hackles up. Does he have designs on Honeyeh? Is he planning on stepping out on Charlotte? “You’re awfully invested in her future.”

He lets out a slow breath of air as he stares back. “And you’re awfully invested in my intentions.”

Fair. The intensity of my interest in Honeyeh has clearly been noted. Silence fills the space until he finally looks away. “Honeyeh reminds me of myself.”