Page 190 of By His Rule

Holding my hand out, I wait for her to make a decision.

It takes a couple of seconds. While I’m confident that she’s not going to run, I’m not sure if she’s going to jump into this with as much excitement as I’d like her to.

Eventually, though, she makes the right choice and slips her small, warm hand into mine.

It might be the most innocent of touches, but fuck if my dick doesn’t jerk like she reached for that instead.

The second she’s on her feet, I tug her closer.

She squeaks quietly in surprise, but she doesn't immediately pull away.

Ducking my head, I let my lips brush her ear. “I can’t believe you thought I was taking this trip without you. I thought you were smarter than that, Temptress.”

“I was—I mean, I am—mad at you.” She tries to sound stern, but she fails miserably.

“No, you’re not. You’re too busy wishing that I replied with a photograph of my own.”

All the air rushes from her lungs, but I don’t hang around long enough for her to reply. Instead, I reach for my bag with my free hand and throw it over my shoulder before leading her out of the lounge.

“Wow,” Lorelei breathes once we’re settled in our first-class seats.

It’s a quick flight. We’re not surrounded by the kind of luxury I’d expect from a long-haul flight, but it’s still a hell of a lot better than the fucking economy seat she booked for me.

“You don’t ever need to worry about me treating you right, Temptress.”

“Your money doesn’t impress me, Callahan.”

“You sounded pretty impressed just then.”

“Doesn’t mean that I wouldn’t be equally as happy back there.”

I smirk, watching the flight attendant walking up the aisle with mimosas.

“You were saying?” I ask once she’s offered Lorelei a glass. A glass that she eagerly accepts.

“It’s the least I deserve for having to put up with you for the next three days.”

The flight attendant flinches at Lorelei’s harsh words.

“I’m sure you felt the same on your honeymoon,” I deadpan, making her balk.

“He’s joking. There isn’t enough money in the world to make me stoop that low.”

Unsure of what to make of us, the attendant hurries down the aisle, serving other passengers.

“You’re wrong,” I state confidently.

“I highly doubt that.”

“One day, you’ll beg me to put a ring on it.”

“Have you heard yourself? Firstly, don’t forget that I refused your proposal. Secondly, never going to happen.”

“What makes you say that?” I ask, genuinely interested in her reasoning.

She’s an intelligent, beautiful woman who somehow manages to challenge me like no other. I’m struggling to see why she’s so adamant it won’t happen.

She shakes her head before lifting her half-empty glass to gesture to our surroundings. “All this. Your life. It’s not who I am.I’m your assistant, Kian. I know my place in this world, and while I might have considered faking it with you for a few moronic moments, I am happy with my life and where I’m at.”

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