Page 47 of Bossy Wicked Prince

I just nod. I’m not sure what I should say. Apologize for how those men talked to her? For making her share a suite with me? Hell, just for bringing her here in the first place?

Cat fills a glass with water and takes a small sip. “I ordered dinner up for us. I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I got a few things. Hope you like salmon or Chicken Marbella. I’ll just eat whatever you don’t want.”

Truthfully, I haven’t even thought about eating.

Not food, anyway.

“I’m sorry I ruined the merger,” she blurts. “I should’ve handled that guy differently. Maybe if I had, you wouldn't have thrown the whole deal out. Because I saw the email from the board. I know they want to meet with you tomorrow, but the whole thing wasn’t your fault?—”

Her hands start shaking in the middle of her rushed apology. I quickly move over to her, rubbing my hands up and down her bare arms.

“Deep breaths, Cat,” I remind her. “Look, you did me a favor.”

She snorts. “A favor? How?”

“I don’t work with people like that. It’s bad for business—anyone UPS works with has our stamp of approval, and their behavior reflects on us. They would’ve been on their best behavior if it was just me. If you hadn’t been here to bring out their true colors, I could’ve ended up stuck in a contract with them that I couldn’t have extricated us out of later.”

By now, Cat’s breathing has evened out again and she’s got some color back in her cheeks. I can’t resist stroking one with my thumb.

“I’m just sorry about how that asshole treated you.”

“So…you aren’t going to fire me?”

I chuckle. “No. I should be promoting you. You did good today.”

Her cheeks flush and her gaze turns dreamy. She responds so strongly to the smallest praise. Doesn’t she have anyone to give her the compliments she deserves?

Because I’m more than happy to step up to the fucking plate.

I run a knuckle slowly, deliberately down her arm. “You work well under pressure, Kitten.”

Cat licks her lips and her amber eyes grow heavy with lust. That dreamy expression goes straight to my cock. When I slowly urge her backward with my hand on her arm, she follows without question. Suddenly, we’re right by the full wall of windows at the end of the dimly-lit dining area.

“I don’t think so.”

“Listen to me, Kitten. You were perfect.”

She shakes her head slightly. “But the board…”

“I’ll handle the board.”

The lights from the city at night illuminate her face. Her throat bobs.

“You really aren’t upset?”

I shake my head. “No. In fact, I want to show you my gratitude.”

16

CAT

The way Nate’s looking at me makes my belly flip.

He looms over me, his broad shoulders blocking out the lights in the hotel living room. His face is cast in shadows, making his handsome features look sharper—crueler, even. But his steel-gray eyes are molten.

I was so sure he was going to fire me for messing up the deal. Instead…

I want to show you my gratitude.