Page 8 of Anyone But You

“Oh? Tell me more.”

“I’d imagine we’d be in some penthouse of a swanky hotel. The guests would still be in full swing, enjoying the open bar reception downstairs. I’d propose a toast to our new beginnings, hand you a flute of poisoned champagne, step over your twitching body, and slip into bed. I’d sleep easily that night knowing I was a billionaire.”

This trip will be…gratifying. Seven days on a tropical island with the most beautiful woman on Earth? My dick is getting hard just thinking about it.

“You know. That was extensively thought out for a woman who claims to hate me.”

The SUV lurched forward, and the driver pulled into the roundabout. Victoria tossed her cell phone into her purse and turned to address me.

“Mr. Ramsey.”

“Knox,” I corrected. There was no need to be so formal. She’d be mine after the trip, after all.

“Mr. Ramsey,” she asserted. “This is a business trip.”

“I’m glad you caught on.”

“That means you are to leave me alone unless it’s business-related. That means no emails or calls before 8:00 or after 5:00. I don’t want to hear or see you if it’s not about business. I don’t even want you to breathe in my direction if it’s not about business,” she informed as she spoke with her graceful hands.“I better be able to convince myself you’re dead until something business-related comes up.”

So cruel. I can’t get enough.

I leaned a little closer.

“I want to hear you say it,” Victoria demanded. My mouth dried.

She’s sexy when she gets dominant.

“I will not breathe in your direction unless it’s about business,” I recited diligently. “I promise.”

“Good.”

We both shared a look. It was wordless, but we knew what it meant. There wasn’t a chance in hell I’d keep my word.

All of this is simply posturing from her, but I’ll let her think she’s won…for now.

“Do you have a copy of the itinerary?”

“It’s in your email.”

“Of fucking course it is,” she mumbled under her breath. “You planned on abducting me this whole time, didn’t you?”

I shot her a pointed look. “Do you really want to piss yourself off with a rhetorical question like that?”

“I’m not pissing myself off.You’repissing me off. I’m praying for your downfall, Knox.”

“I’m sure you are. I’m just not sure it’s a good idea since we’re always together,” I mentioned, raking my eyes over her. She glared out the window. In the reflection of the tinted glass, I could see her lips turned down into something like a pout. “Where you go, I go. And if I go down, then we’ll go down together.”

It’s because I can’t let her go. I don’t mind monopolizing her time and enjoy pushing her to the edge. I can’t help myself. The further she tries to distance herself from me, the tighter my grip. But the question remains…how can I let her know it’s not just banter? How can I close the gap between us?

“We’ll see about that,” Victoria grumbled.

Maybe a little praise will do the trick.

“You’re a good assistant, Victoria. More than good, actually. You’re very capable. I’m lucky to have you. I don’t even mind the cursing and death threats.”

Things will be different on the island. I’ll show her a different side of me. She’ll relax, and I’ll finally let her see Knox, the man, not Knox, her overbearing, boundary-crossing boss.

She glanced at me with cautious, brown eyes and nearly stole my breath. “I’m the best assistant you’ll ever have.”