Page 56 of Bargain With the Boss

I huffed out an exasperated breath as we gathered my things. When he grabbed a duffel bag of his own, I gave him a bland stare.

“I want out of these dress pants. I wasn’t being presumptuous.”

“You aren’t getting into my bed.”

The valet’s cheeks reddened, and I inwardly groaned.

“Who said I want in your bed?” Xavier moved closer to me and lowered his voice. “But it’s interesting that you were thinking about it.”He touched the small of my back and I hurried ahead of him. He didn’t need to feel the sweat that was lingering there in my ill conceived outfit for the day.

“Where’s the fire?”

“I just walk fast.”

He caught up and instead of going for my lower back, he linked our fingers. When I frowned down at them he justshrugged. “Just making sure you don’t try to leave me in the dust.”

“And if I wanted to go to my room and take a cool shower and be alone?”

He pulled me to a stop. “I’d respect your wishes. Do you want to be alone today?”

Ishouldsay yes.

I shook my head and earned a sexy smile that made my stomach flip.

We climbed the stairs to the second floor where I was living, the entire time he didn’t let go of my hand.

I wasn’t sure why I allowed it.

His hand wasn’t smooth. It was a working man’s hand mixed with the absurdity of his shirts and four hundred dollar pants, I couldn’t figure him out. I pulled out my keycard and let him inside. The room usually felt roomy, but he filled the space and his spicy scent made me far too aware of him.

“Take a shower.”

“How—”

“It was the first thing you mentioned. And as usual you were wearing Seattle clothes again. Why?”

I sighed. “I wanted to look imposing.”

He laughed. “It worked. Mostly.”

I twisted my fingers out of his.

“Don’t get upset. You definitely would have made Melissa nervous, but I can see through you.”

“You think so?”

“Man, that icy voice shouldn’t turn me on, but it does.”

“Do you say whatever comes into your head, Xavier?”

“Usually. Now go on. Wear something for day to evening.” He slid his arm around me and pulled me closer. “Try not to argue for once and go with the flow. I promise it’s fun.”

I put my hand on his chest, the reassuring warmth under the cotton made my pulse quicken.

“I know there’s some part of you that wants to just let loose.”

Unwilling to own up to the fact that he was right, I simply moved back. “Fine. Aren’t you going to be bored?”

He shook his head as he let me go. “I’ll do some work and change.”