Page 73 of Only for the Season

I don’t. But I’m not admitting to anything. I am not giving him any fuel for his argument.

“Not all of us are rich snobs who refuse to live somewhere because it’s not a penthouse.”

A muscle ticks in his jaw, but to his credit, he doesn’t lash out at me. He inhales a deep breath and forces himself to calm down. Which doesn’t make me fall for him more. Nope. Not me. Heart encased in hardened salt water taffy over here.

“Why don’t you stay here in this loft?”

My heart stutters in my chest. “With you?”

“I’ll go stay with Eli.”

Calm down, heart. He isn’t asking me to move in with him. Which isn’t disappointing. Not at all.

“I thought you couldn’t work at Eli’s house. It’s why you wanted to stay here in the first place.”

“I’ll figure it out.”

“No.” I shake my head. “I can’t allow it.”

The corners of his lips tip up in an almost smile. “Allow it? You’re going to tell me what I can and can’t do?”

“Yep. I’m the boss here. Haven’t you noticed?”

He growls. “I’m in charge in the bedroom. And guess where we are?”

I roll my eyes. “You’re only in charge in the bedroom when it’s naked time.”

His gaze rakes over my body. “Good thing you’re naked.”

I wag my finger at him. “But it’s not naked time.”

“It’s not?” He presses his cock into my stomach.

I scoot away out of his reach. “You’re not using sex to convince me to move in here.”

He sighs. “Can’t you be reasonable?”

I narrow my eyes at him. “Are you saying I’m unreasonable because I’m a woman?”

“No, I’m saying you’re unreasonable because you’re being stubborn as shit. This place is paid for until January first. You can stay here by yourself and still save money for your shitty parents who don’t deserve a dime from you.”

I flinch.

“Fuck. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said your parents are shitty. It’s true, but I shouldn’t have said it.”

“You’re crap at apologizing.”

He shrugs. “I’m being honest. You’re working yourself to death to pay your parents back for your education when they won’t even frequent your bakery.”

I drop my chin to my chest. “I know.”

“Hey.” He pinches my chin and lifts my head to meet his gaze. “I truly am sorry. I know how it feels to have shitty parents.”

“I’m trying to improve the situation.”

He smiles but it’s not a happy smile to show off his dimples. “Here’s the thing, Princess. You can’t improve the situation on your own. Your relationship with your parents won’t improve unless they want it to as well.”

“I know,” I mutter.