Page 31 of Forbidden Boss (Manhattan Billionaires)

“Is that what you heard from my question just now?” I frowned. “And how many men, exactly?”

She laughed, and the sound made the middle of my chest feel heavy. “I have a dress,” she teased, “and it’s fabulous.”

“The car will pick you up at seven.”

“See you then!”

I hung up the phone and tossed it aside. I’d seen her the day after the dinner at my parents’ place, when she came in to do some paperwork at the office. But I’d only nodded at her and watched as she chatted with Clara then sat down at a computer. Other than that, I’d seen some expense reports come in this morning for hair, nails, makeup, and clothing with her name on them. Instead of making me angry about how much she’d squeezed out of me, the expense claims made me want to laugh. The woman wasn’t wasting any time spending her monthly beauty budget.

Cole burst through my door. He skidded to a stop and frowned at me. “You’re smiling,” he accused. “Why are you smiling?”

“I’m not smiling.”

“You are. Well, you were. You had a big dopey grin on your face just now.”

“Why are you here?”

His eyes narrowed, but he shook his head and said, “The last independent contractor signed a full-time contract today. We’re clear.”

I blew out a breath. “Good. Thank you.”

Cole nodded. “You ready for tonight?”

“Ready as I’ll ever be.”

“And the girl?”

I shrugged. “Clara prepared a packet for her. She was told to study it so she knows what to expect.”

“Hopefully Monk will take to her, and we can close on this deal.”

“Hopefully,” I agreed.

The rest of the day dragged. Finally, I headed home to shower and dress in my tux, then called the car and headed to Nikki’s place in Brooklyn. I could have fetched her to meet me here to avoid going out of my way, but I wanted to use the drive to make sure she’d reviewed the packet and knew what she was doing. Tonight was important, and we needed time to make sure we were on the same page.

The car pulled up outside her place, and my driver informed me that she’d been notified of our arrival. I waited a minute or two, then glanced at my phone in frustration.

“You’re sure she knows we’re here?” I asked.

“She said she’d be down right away.”

Drumming my fingers against the door, I watched the front of her building and frowned. Where was she? I checked my watch, as if it would tell me something different from my phone screen, then glared at the door. Finally, unable to wait another minute, I got out of the car and took a step toward her building’s front door, intending to press her buzzer until she had no choice but to come down here and do her job.

Then I saw her.

She floated down the steps, a vision in blue.

Her dress had long sleeves and a plunging neckline. The fabric looked sheer but was embroidered with fine, glittering blue fabric that curled and swooped in strategic areas. It looked like she wore almost nothing, but she was fully covered. Her shoes were simple silver heels with a small strap across the toes and one across the ankles. It was just like her usual style: not exactly revealing, but intensely arousing. She moved like a goddess, elegant, graceful, sensual.

My mouth went dry.

She opened the building door and stood there, two steps above me, looking down. She’d put something on her skin so it glowed faintly, highlighting the sharp angle of her collarbone and the space between her breasts.

That was the moment I realized she was beautiful. I’d known it before, of course. It would’ve been impossible not to notice from the moment I pried open that supply room door. But she wore a dramatic blue gown like she belonged in a classic old movie, her hair glossy and dark, her lips painted red, her eyes watching me through hooded lids.

In her hands was clutched a ridiculous purse shaped like a bow, covered entirely in dark-blue crystals. I stared at it, and at her, speechless. Even the splint on her finger didn’t detract from the look.

Then she did a slow turn, showing me the embellished back of the dress that hugged her shape to perfection. The dress was a tease. I could see so much—and so little—of her body all at once. She spun around again and struck a pose, touching the length of her arm with her opposite index finger, the crystals of her bow purse glittering in the streetlights as she held it extended to the side.

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