Page 52 of Reckless Kiss

Pieces started to fall into place. She held back all the specific details—I had no idea what she actually did to rebel—but it all began making sense nonetheless. Whatever Esme did in college was bad enough that her father got the leverage he needed to bring his brilliant financial forecaster back under his control.

“And did you?”

She nodded. “For a time. I continued my doctoral research while also working for Edmund. When I got my degree I...I quit. He’s never forgiven me and continues to try to find some way to bring me back.”

That meant Esme had unprecedented access to her father’s company, along with a grudge that would make her a perfect target for anyone wanting dirt on Edmund Brown.

She was caught in the crossfire between her father’s greed and the authorities desire to bring him down.

“I know you’re not involved,” she whispered. “The authorities aren’t interested in you or Bancroft Sports. Please just stay out of it.”

Stay out of it? I wanted to laugh. What kind of men did she have in her life that she honestly thought that suggestion would work? Was I supposed to sit back and watch as she muddled through this alone? Pretend I wasn’t a part of this? That I would play the ignorant fool at work each day and please her all night, just to send her back out to the wolves each morning?

Not in a million years.

I signaled the waiter for our check. “We’re getting out of here. I’m taking you home and fucking you until you calm down and can think with a clear head.” Her eyes flared at my use of the wordhome.“Yes, Esme.Home. You don’t seem to understand. I have half a mind to tie you down until you do.”

“Understand?”

I handed my card to the waiter without glancing at the check then leaned forward. “My home is your home. This thing between us is only getting bigger. Deeper. Call me stubborn if you must, but I care about you too much to stop falling for you now.”