Page 98 of Rich and Bossy

And there’s no fucking way I wouldn’t lose my company, my shares, my reputation if anybody got word of what we’re doing. I might lose them anyway, but that would guarantee it. I don’t even give a shit about that at this point.

I don’t want to pause what we have going. I want to dive headfirst, no matter what happened last night or what she didn’t tell me. I absolutely cannot risk the media finding out about us. Especially not now that it’s a national story.

They’ll smear her like crazy, and my insane board and shareholders will feed that fire into oblivion. They’ll call her a slut. It’ll shift everything from the workers and the company toour personal lives. The media is relentless. They’ll do anything for ratings, and this would be a scandal for the ages. Even if I wanted to protect her, I wouldn’t be able to.

I just want her happy.

No matter how I slice it, this ends in tragedy if I don’t put a stop to it, at least for now.

So why does it seem like my entire world lights up when her familiar Volvo turns into the parking lot of the condo development? I can’t stop replaying John’s words over and over in my head.

About how Hazel had to keep quiet what she had planned, that I had to understand that. I think I do now. I was upset about it, but I have to be able to put myself in her shoes, if I want to make her happy.

I wait in my own car, watching her roll slowly toward the building. What is she thinking right now? What does she expect to find once she gets out of the car?

Does she expect me to blow up on her? Be pissed off?

I forget my little speech I’ve been rehearsing the moment I see her. Even dressed in nothing but jeans and tennis shoes with her hair in a messy bun on top of her head, she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. Everything in my brain, right out the window.

Her head snaps around at the sound of my door opening—unfortunately, her posture doesn’t loosen any when she recognizes me. She’s on guard, and I can’t say I blame her. She has no way of knowing what’s about to happen.

“Come on.” A quick look around tells me we’re still alone, that she must’ve been pretty careful coming over. I wanted to type more in my message, but I had to be as cryptic as possible. They could be monitoring my phone and they’d already know I’m talking to her, but I had to risk that. I don’t need them taking pictures of us together.

I don’t know that they’re watching, but it wouldn’t surprise me one bit.

I hustle her inside and head straight for the elevator. She opens her mouth, prepared to ask questions, but I shake my head. It can wait until we’re upstairs. I want her inside as soon as possible just in case someone managed to figure it out and they’re watching.

We reach the furnished apartment a minute later, and only once the door is locked behind us can I release the breath I’ve been holding.

Hazel, meanwhile, walks to the center of the living room—not exactly homey, but it serves its purpose—putting distance between us before she turns around to face me.

She shoves her hands deep in her pockets, shoulders up around her ears. “What’s this all about? What is this place?”

I hate to hear what sounds like hostility in her voice, but I remind myself she has every reason to sound that way. She expects me to start a fight, and she’s on guard.

“It’s owned by the company. We keep apartments for executives here for business rather than putting them up in an extended stay hotel. Nobody would ever find out we’re here. For tax purposes or something, and discretion. I checked to make sure they weren’t in use right now.”

“Good idea. Keeping these units, I mean.” She glances around, her brows knitting together, like she’s still unsure of herself, of what’s about to happen. “Why am I here?”

Funny, but I can’t remember what I was thinking. Not while we’re breathing the same air, in the same room. Not when she’s so close it would take nothing more than a few strides to reach her, to have her in my arms again, to forget the world for a little while and lose myself with her. It’s what happens when we’re together, every single time.

Tell her.

Tell her it’s not safe for the two of you to be together right now. The pause, remember? You need to take a break, lay low.

“I want you.” The words come out before I can stop them.

No!

She blinks, her brow furrowing in confusion. “Youwantme? What’s that even mean? Are you serious right now?”

She always insists on challenging me, doesn’t she? That familiar resistance sends my fingers twitching, the same way they always do when she’s anywhere near me. I cross the room in three long strides, taking her face in my hands before pressing my lips to hers as hard as I can.

She goes stiff for a second, but that’s all it takes before she relaxes and starts kissing me back, the way we’re supposed to be. The only way the world feels right when we’re in a room together.

Suddenly she’s clinging to me, trembling while I kiss her again and again. To hell with everything. That’s a problem for after this. Right now, it’s enough to know she wants me too.

I pick her up, one arm under her knees and the other behind her back, and carry her to the bedroom.

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