Page 15 of Dirty Rich Cinderella Story

“I’m not,” he says, “or I wouldn’t have suggested it.”

“Why aren’t you surprised?”

“Because the danger of never letting go is you lose yourself. When you lose yourself, you lose what you’re after, why you’re doing what you’re doing. Been there, done that.”

I want to ask more. I want to understand. I want to know why he saw this in me, but I’m treading on tomorrow territory and he doesn’t give me a chance anyway. His hands come down on my waist and he sets me on the floor in front of him, tying the belt around the robe for me. “Are you hungry? I’m hungry. Let’s order room service.”

I want to say yes. Why does this man make me want to say yes to everything?

“This is where I’m supposed to leave.”

“Says who?” he asks.

“Me. I said—”

“One night,” he says, “not two hours. Which means our one night is not over. I leave tomorrow morning. What do you have to lose by staying?”

What do I have to lose?

Myself, I think.

My career.

My independence.

“We had one condom,” I point out.

“And as you can tell, I can be creative.” His lips curve. “When I’m well fed. Stay, Lori. I want you to stay.” His voice is low, rough, compelling. “Forget what you planned to do. Do what we both want you to do. Stay with me.”

I should say no, but I don’t. “Yes,” I say, because nothing has changed. He might kiss like trouble, but this is one night and trouble can’t touch me tomorrow.

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