Page 56 of Dancing with the Devil

I squinted my eyes, desperate to see the pictures, and felt him pull me down onto his lap. I focused on the frames for a second until I heard his voice.

“Should I get my men to build you a replica of my office so that you can sit and stare at it 24/7?” he asked, and I shook my head.

“Knowing you, you would,” I smiled.

“What time do you need to be at the club tonight?” he asked as I looked around.

“I was planning on going at eight,” I said, fascinated by this side of his office. Yes. It has sides.

“Then you’re getting lunch with me,” he said, and I nodded. There was momentary silence, and I turned my head to him.

“I’m sorry,” I apologized. “This office is just so…you.”

“You’re saying that like it’s a bad thing.”

“No, no, it’s not,” I quickly assured him. “Don’t get me wrong, I loveyou, but it’s just… no forget it,” I shook my head. “It’s cute. Your office is cute,” I smiled.

“Did you just say you love me?” he asked, his voice dripping with amusement.

“Yes,” I nodded until realization hit me. “Wait no, no, no,” I began, waving my hands in front of me. “I mean, yes, I love you—no God, I mean I love who you are,” I explained but paused for a second. “No that’s a lie you’re an egotistical prick, I don’t likewho you are—but I do—you’re really great so I guess I do love you then—no—I mean—” I cut myself off and hid my head in my hands.

He chuckled, and I took a deep breath in, not moving my hands in embarrassment. “Please, can we just go?” I mumbled in my hands, and he pulled them away from my face.

“Of course you love me,” he nodded. “What’s not to love?”

“I don’tloveyou,” I scoffed, getting up from his lap and making my way to the door. I heard his footsteps behind me until he threw his arm over my shoulder. We headed out, and I could bury myself alive to escape my embarrassment.

“That’s not what you just said,” he grinned down at me, and I crossed my arms over my chest. “I’m lovable. I get it.”

“That’s not what I meant, and you know it.”

* * *

After lunch, I decided to drag Antonio shopping with me, and thankfully, he was not complaining.

A few women smiled their silly little smiles, and I subconsciously tightened my hand around his as I watched them practically drool over him.

I know I said that he could be with other women, but now I didn’t know how much I liked that idea.

His chuckle pulled me out of my head. “What’s so funny?” I asked as we stepped into the building.

“You’re jealous.”

“I’m not… jealous,” I shot back, making him pull me closer to his side.

“Who’s wearing my ring, Nirah?” he asked, and I reluctantly looked up at him.

“Me?”

“Exactly,” he said and threw his arm around my shoulder before kissing my temple.Yeah, yeah.

“I just don’t like how they’re eye-fuckingmyman,” I murmured, making his hold on me tighten.

He seemed baffled. “Eye-fucking?”

“Yeah,” I glanced up at him. “You do it every timeyoulook atme.”

A bored expression found his face, and I couldn’t help but smile as we continued.Ha. He didn’t even deny it.