Page 21 of On the Edge

But God, I didn’t want to be there, either.

“No.” Adam shook his head as he stood. He folded his muscular arms across his hard chest and bent his head, his eyes finding mine. They were a soft blue. “You shouldn’t let my idiot friend’s problems ruin your time here or your opportunity with the company.” He made a tsk noise. “I can stay at my home outside the city, or even in a hotel, while you stay at my flat.”

My mouth opened round in shock. “I would never ask you to do that. And what if those guys show up at your place—what if they find me there?” Or just as bad, what if someone at the company found out I was staying at Adam’s?

He blew out a loud breath and rubbed his hands down his face again. His skin flushed slightly. “What’s all of this about? I should know what I’m caught up in.” Was it something illegal? No, a billionaire businessman wouldn’t get caught up in something like that—would he?

He turned his back to me and moved to the opposite wall. He pressed his palms to it, just beside the TV, and he lowered his head. I wasn’t sure if it was anger or sadness—maybe both.

His shoulder blades pulled together as I moved with careful steps up behind him. “Adam.” I cleared my throat. “Sorry. Mr. McGregor.”

Adam faced me. He was entirely too close. I could almost smell the autumn leaves and cool breeze on him, as well as a deep, masculine smell. It was intoxicating . . . and distracting.

He looked down into my eyes, his lips a hard, straight line. “Pack your bags.”

So he had no intention of telling me anything, huh? I took a small step back, trying to break free from his magnetic pull. “I’ll go to a hotel. If I can’t find a place to live within a few days, I’ll have to go back home. I can’t afford much.” My eyes lowered to the floor, but Adam’s hand beneath my chin had me looking back up at him.

“I’ll take care of you.”

“You don’t even know me,” I whispered. “And I could never accept that kind of help.”

“Les got you into this mess—the least I can do is help you out of it.” He angled his head, his eyes dipping to my lips for a moment before lifting back up again. My entire body warmed. What was it about this man that made me excited when I should be scared shitless?

“Besides,” he allowed his hand to drop, “I protect what’s mine.” He chuckled a little, breaking the tension. “I mean my employees.” He smiled. “I’m very protective of the people in my life.”

It was sweet but unacceptable. “I’m sorry, but I can’t let you do that. I really appreciate it. Just because you’re a billionaire doesn’t mean you need to fork out money for me. I don’t like handouts.” I pulled my bottom lip between my teeth and thought. “Maybe I can get a second job—a waitress or bartender thing on the weekends. I did that in college.” Well, for a little while, anyway.

He shoved his hands in his gray slacks pockets and shook his head as his lower lip turned down. “No.”

“No?” I perked a brow in surprise and folded my arms across my chest.

I didn’t need someone bossing me around. Someone controlling me . . . Chills wrapped my spine as my body shuddered.

“You shouldn’t be dealing with a bunch of drunk blokes. That scene can be rough.” Then a sudden glimmer came to his eyes, and my stomach sank. “I know how you can repay me if it means that much to you.”

I glared at him in sudden disgust.

He held his hands up and laughed a little. “I didn’t mean whatever it is you’re thinking. Get your head out of the gutter.”

“What is it then?” I asked, relief making a quaver in my voice.

“I’ll give you an address, and you can meet me there after work tomorrow.”

“That’s all I get?”

Another smile skirted his lips. “Aye.”

I shook my head no. “That doesn’t work for me. I need to know what I’m getting into.”

He stepped back in front of me, and I gasped at the quickness of his movement. “Just trust me.”

I swallowed. “Trust a man I barely know?”

“You came to Ireland for a job you’d never tried, at a company you didn’t know. And you agreed to live with someone you met online. I’d say you have a bit of experience with trust.”

“And you think that means I should trust you?” I accused.

“Yeah, I do,” he said in a low, smooth voice, his eyes holding mine for a long, torturous heartbeat. Then he left my side, taking all the air with him.

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