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His lips twist. “You know the answer to that.”
“How do you think of me?” I press.
“I’m your boss.”
“Pretend you’re not for a minute,” I whisper, rubbing my thumb over his knuckles. “I’m just a girl who wants to know what the guy she likes thinks of her.”
His body sways toward mine, gripping my hand. “I…” I squeeze his hand back, encouraging him, but he lets go, my stomach dropping at the loss of his touch.
He reaches his palm up to cup my face, gaze full of warmth. “I think you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on. From the very first moment. You’re sweet and genuine and smart.” Butterflies erupt in my belly at his tender words. “You’re an amazing assistant and person and I don’t want to ruin everything because I couldn’t keep it in my pants.”
“You won’t ruin anything.” There’s no thought any more about a calculated seduction, about gaining his trust, about getting him to agree to buy Dad’s company. There’s only me and him. This man that I want. “I don’t care about the boss thing. You won’t even be my boss after a couple of weeks.”
His palm slides off my jaw, my cheek cold without his touch. “It’s not just that. There’s still a power imbalance.”
My mind races, trying to think of something to counter with. “So give me the power.”
Chapter Eighteen
Connor
Give her the power? I have to admit, the idea is wildly arousing. This woman telling me what to do in that husky voice of hers? Commanding me to pleasure her? To finger her? Eat her out? Fuck her?
Oh God, I’m so hard up. I swear, I didn’t mean for any of this to happen when I came out here to apologize to her, but I’ve had her on my mind so often lately, imagining the ways I can have her… Maybe her suggestion is a good one.
And maybe I’m trying to convince myself.
“What did you have in mind?” I ask hoarsely, not ready to dismiss it just yet. How little persuading will it take for me to agree to whatever she says?
She bites her lip, looking up at me from under lowered lashes. “Well, if you think you hold too much power over me, we could reverse roles. So I’m in charge.”
I swallow thickly. Does she have any idea what she’s doing to me? “You’d tell me what to do?”
She nods, sultry passion filling her gaze. “And what I want you to do to me.”
I lace my hands together behind my neck, turning around as I pace the length of the hallway, needing to get away from her for just a moment. Needing to think clearly. Is it even possible to think clearly anymore when she’s always on my mind? Would doing this take the edge off, at least? Satiate that curiosity so I have the willpower to not take it further and do something I’ll regret?
I run a hand through my hair, tugging at the strands, craving clarity. Is this a good idea?
“Something small,” I say, working it out aloud. “Something that I don’t get anything out of.” How is that possible? I’d find pleasure in whatever we do together. “Something for you, not me.”
I turn to face her, those beautiful green eyes of hers alight with interest. “When? Tonight?”
As soon as she suggests it, there’s no way I can delay it any further. “Yes. Where?”
“Your hotel?”
I do some quick mental location scouting, and she’s right. It really is the best option.
And the closest.
I find my key card in my wallet and hand it to her. “Fifty-first floor. Room number is on here. We’ll take separate cars. I’ll leave here ten minutes after you.” I pull out my phone. “I’ll get you an Uber.” I’m not taking any chances of people spotting us together. I don’t need to make tabloid headlines again.
I focus on getting her a car, because otherwise I’ll be tempted to crowd her up against this hallway wall and take her here, in full view of whoever may exit their apartment at any moment.
Oh, crap. Archer’s still expecting me back. I just said I’d be gone a second.
“They’ll be here in five,” I tell her, tucking my phone in my pocket. “I’ll see you there?”