Page 26 of Falling for the Boss's Son

“I’m here, aren’t I?”

Jesse cut another piece of his steak. “That doesn’t answer my question.”

She pushed her green beans around her plate. “I can’t seem to say no to you.”

“While I like the idea of you not being able to say no to me, I also don’t like the idea of you being uncertain about being with me. I want you to be certain.”

Cassie didn’t comment for several minutes. She took three more bites of her food before responding. “We could get in trouble.”

“Fraternization is discouraged. Not forbidden. Besides, we don’t technically work together.” He knew it was a fine line. Given his management position and that she worked for his father, they would no doubt interact in a professional capacity on a regular basis.

Again, she was quiet for several very long moments. “Would we keep it a secret?”

His first instinct was no. He didn’t want to keep her locked away like some dirty secret. But he also understood the implications of going public. “Is that something you’d want?”

“I don’t know.”

He nodded. “If it were up to me, then no, I wouldn’t want to keep you a secret.”

“So you’d tell your dad about me? Us?”

Jesse laid his hand over hers. “I would.”

She stabbed another piece of her steak and popped it into her mouth. He could tell she was thinking about what he’d said. If anything, he admired her for taking the time to weigh her options. He wanted her to agree, but he also wanted her to be sure. He was tired of the hot and cold vibe he kept getting from her.

“Can I ask you something?” she asked.

Jesse finished his dinner and pushed his plate to the side. “You can ask me anything, Cass.” In fact, he had no doubt if they did decide to move forward with their relationship, she’d have quite a few questions.

“Would there be anyone else? I mean, would you be seeing anyone else besides me if we…”

Remembering what she’d told him about her ex, he couldn’t blame her for asking, but it still stung a little. He would admit he’d played around with women in his early twenties, but they’d been aware of what had been on offer. He hadn’t been interested in anything long term and neither had they. It had been about mutual pleasure.

Cassie was more than that. She was the type of woman he could see himself with for the long term. “If you’re asking me if we’d be exclusive, then the answer is yes. I wouldn’t be seeing anyone else in a relationship or sexual capacity besides you.” He paused and waited for her to look at him. “And I’d expect the same in return.”

Her eyes widened, but she didn’t answer.

“Is that a problem?”

“No.” She shook her head. “I mean, I wouldn’t do that.”

Jesse smiled and stood. “Are you finished?”

She looked at her plate and began to get up.

He stopped her. “I’ve got it.”

“Thank you.”

After rinsing their plates and loading them into the dishwasher, he filled two bowls with ice cream and carried them back to the table. Placing one in front of her, he took his seat again. “I hope you like chocolate.”

Her lips curled up into a smile as she picked up her spoon. “Who doesn’t like chocolate?”

“My mom.”

Cassie sent him a skeptical look.

“I’m serious. She prefers vanilla.”

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