Page 51 of Honor

His gaze trails over my face, even as the elevator doors open. I lurch forward to press a hand on the button that will prevent them from shutting before we exit. When I glance at Mr. Hunt again, he’s still staring at me.

My mouth suddenly feels too dry. I look at the coffee cup in his hand, but before I can offer to take it so I can have a sip, he motions toward the corridor leading to his apartment. “You know the way, Evangeline.”

It isn’t lost on me that he ignored my request to call me Evie, but why would he? I’ll likely be back on this elevator within the next ten minutes without a job to go to next week. My only consolation prize will be the expensive cup of coffee he’s currently holding hostage.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Reid

When we left the restaurant,I had every intention of ordering Basil to take Evangeline home, but once she was in my car, I didn’t want the night to end.

Since I need to have a discussion with her about what transpired at Nova tonight, this seems like the time to do it.

As soon as we’re through the doorway and into my apartment, I hand off the coffee. I know she’s been craving it because she could barely keep her eyes off it in the elevator.

“This is perfection,” she murmurs after the first sip.

She brushes past me, and I’m instantly gifted with an unobstructed view of her back and her lush ass as she wanders deeper into my apartment.

That ass should be designated as one of the wonders of the world because that is the ultimate definition of perfection. That coffee she’s drinking is satisfactory at best.

She glances back at me. “Should I take a seat?”

I nod in response.

She settles in the middle of the ridiculously overpriced couch that anchors the living room. It was the choice of an interior designer that I hired when I first moved into this apartment. The only question he asked before he started reimagining the blank slate was if I wanted an extravagant or minimalistic theme. I didn’t have a preference, so I told him to use his imagination.

He didn’t flex that much because this entire apartment is a testament to money not well spent.

I haven’t bothered to change anything because my home has never been my sanctuary. My office is the closest I have to a place I feel comfortable in.

I take a seat in a chair opposite where Evangeline is. It affords me a clear view of her and offers the distance I need right now.

She’s been in this apartment countless times but never with me. This is a new experience for both of us and considering how my body was reacting to her throughout dinner, I need to keep at least a few feet between us because the temptation to kiss her is reaching a fever pitch.

After downing another mouthful of coffee, she places the cup on the sleek silver coffee table that separates us. “You must be wondering what I said to Lottie about you.”

Smoothing a hand over my thigh, I cross my legs and lean back in the chair. “How could I not wonder about that?”

“None of it was that bad.” She winces. “I mean, some of it wasn’t great, but it was only frustration talking, sir. You’ve been an all right boss.”

I manage to hold in a smile but don’t say anything because I assume she’ll rephrase.

“You’ve been very good to me.” She lets out a breathy sigh.

My cock takes a liking to that sound, so I try and calm the bastard down by thinking of anything other than her saying that exact phrase to me after I’ve fucked her for hours.

“You pay me well.” She smiles. “I get to be outside a lot, which is great in the summer.”

I appreciate that she’s selling herself on all the positive points of the job, but she has reason to complain. I’ve never viewed myself as comparable to my business partners when it comes to how we treat our executive assistants.

I’ve taken an approach that leaves no room for friendship or anything beyond that. It’s always worked for me, but this situation is unique.

We’ve both agreed to be an important part of Charlotte and Randall’s wedding ceremony, but I’m viewing my role in a far broader sense than an average best man would.

I see unlimited potential to pad Vidori’s bottom line.

Azelius Spas and Emmel’s are up for grabs, and if I play my cards right, I’ll have both companies in my palm before the ink is dry on the marriage license.

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