Page 31 of High Rise Secrets

She shrugs and bats her lashes at me. “If you can’t deliver, maybe you’re of no use to me.”

I love that sassy mouth of hers.After looking around to make sure nobody is around, I grip her by her waist and pull her flush against me. She rocks her hips forward, and I close my eyes, keeping quiet. I lean down so my lips brush against her outer ear. “Addy, when I’m done with you tonight, you’re going to beg me to stop, and even then, I will make you give me another. I want you coming for me andonlyme. Got it?”

She pushes a shaky breath out. “God, yes.”

I take a step back before I do something I’ll regret. “If you’re ready to leave, I am too. You can follow me to my place since you insist on taking your own car.”

She rolls her eyes and moves to gather her stuff. I walk her to her black Audi and ask her to wait for me to get mine. She doesn’t seem to like my orders, but she complies anyway.She’ll be so much fun to tame.

There’s still so much I don’t know about her, though. If I want her, and not just sex with her, I need to make the effort. I need to make sure her skeletons are hidden, because if anyone finds out she is really a stripper at night and I’m dating her, this company is screwed. The board already looks for any reason to get rid of me, even though I have done so much for this fucking place.

Since I’ve taken over, I’ve doubled the amount of revenue and put new products out on the market that have been gaining traction. Dad brought some negative press with him, but I’ve done my damned best to not follow in his footsteps.Except for sleeping with my assistant.I shake my head as I move through Atlanta traffic, keeping my eyes on Addy in the rearview mirror.

Finally, after what seems like forever, we pull into my driveway. I pull into the garage, and she parks behind me. I walk over to her car and open the door, extending my hand like a true gentleman. She blushes as she reaches for it and I help her step out. You would think us having sex in my office would make her blush, but no. It’s a simple gesture such as helping her out of her car.

After unlocking the door, I usher her inside, turning on lights as we go. It’s still bright outside, but it will be night soon.

“I know how to make a killer Penne ala Vodka. Does that sound good?” I already gave Rhonda the night off when Addy agreed to come over this morning.

She sits at the bar in the kitchen and watches me. “Sure, chef. You invited me, so whatever’s on the menu.”

“Well, I can tell you, you’re definitely dessert.”

Chapter 19

Addison

Shit like that doesn’t faze me.Ever. Yet, when he says it, I can’t stop the tightening in my belly or the blush that creeps up my neck to settle on my cheeks. He places a glass of wine in front of me, and I take a greedy sip, trying to calm my racing heart.

He looks good in the kitchen, like he should be doing this instead of his actual job. He moves around, pulling pots and pans out, then starts chopping vegetables for a salad.

“So, tell me a bit about yourself,” he says, glancing up at me from his chopping.

“Wow, this feels like a backward first date or something. We’ve already slept together, twice, and now you want to get to know me?” I raise my eyebrow but smirk.

My past is just that. My past. I keep that hidden under layers and masks because no one needs to know the hell my life has been. Yet, at the same time, I want to tell himeverything. If the way he looks at me is any indication, he’s not going to judge. He’s not trying to make me feel bad about my life or the choices I’ve made. It makes me feel... safe? I’m not even sure I know what that feeling is outside of the girls and the club.

I rub the scar on my left arm absentmindedly as I watch him. He notices and points it out. “How about you tell me about the scar. How did you get it?”

“Self-inflicted,” I murmur before taking another sip of my wine. I see the hurt flash before his eyes, but in an instant, it’s gone again. He waits for me to continue. “Tragic backstory. Isn’t that what all strippers have?”

“Does it have anything to do with the few days off you take every August?”

Of course, he would notice I take the same few days off every year.I shouldn’t be surprised, yet I am. I nod and, without thinking, blurt out, “I visit my family every year.”

He smiles until he notices the grim expression marring my face. “Addy, what happened? Do you not get along with them?” He puts the knife down and walks around the counter to sit next to me. He hesitates, but takes my hand in his, rubbing his thumb over my scar, just like I did.

He hasn’t earned this side of me yet. I may have been in love with this man for the past nine years, but he hasn’t been in love with me. I can’t risk putting my heart out there for him to stomp on it. No one understands the pain I went through with losing them. No oneneedsto be burdened with my pain. It’s my cross to bear.

I used to have nightmares every night, reliving their deaths. Coming home to the house burning, running in after them, hoping for some small glimmer of hope. It always ends the same.

They’re dead.

There’s nothing I can do to change it. No matter how many restless nights, the dream is always the same. They left me. I couldn’t join them, no matter how hard I tried.

His hand cups my cheek, and I blink away the memory, along with a few stray tears that have welled up as I look into his deep brown eyes. Eyes that hold so many questions. Eyes that look so understanding. “Addy…”

“How’s dinner coming? I’m starved.” I give him a bright smile, and he drops his hand away as if he can sense I’m not going to tell him more. And he’s smart enough not to push.