Page 40 of Fate's Unseen Shadow

“Don’t.” She stood. “I’m not kissing anything else either.”

“I didn’t say a word.”

She threw back the rest of the bourbon and held out the glass. “Here. I’ll go to bed before you carry me there when I fall asleep standing upright.” She grabbed her shoes and went ahead of him.

He followed her out the door. “I’m working all day, so you might not see me until it’s time to go to the bar. Be sure to eat.”

“I can help.”

“Help? With what?”

She slowed on the stairs. “With your work. I’d love to help. I can go through your books. I always enjoy getting down to the lower level of accounting, seeing where the money goes. I can offer suggestions, if your ego can take it.”

He half smiled and pressed his hand along her lower back, continuing their ascent. “My ego can take it, but not tomorrow. I’ll be running around town for most of the day.”

“Oh.” Mildly disappointed, she finished climbing the stairs. “You have nice toes.”

“Never had someone say something about my feet.”

“Some guys have ugly toes. Yours are nice. Just take the compliment.”

He rolled his lips inward, studying her for a moment. “Didn’t expect to end the night talking about my toes.”

“How did you expect it to end?” After Lacy’s confidence boost, Ella pushed her luck when he didn’t make a move. She rested her hand on his chest. “Since I’m not allowed to comment on your shirtless torso, I picked something safe.”

He scratched the back of his head, taking a step back. His abs contracted with a quick laugh. “I can’t say if our positions were swapped that I’d be as polite and only comment on your toes. Good night, Ella.”

“Good night, Damon.” She closed the door and locked it. Tomorrow was it. She’d do what Lacy had suggested, wear the skirt, but if Damon didn’t make a move then, she’d back off. She needed his help, and throwing herself at him only to be rejected would make their arrangement uncomfortable for both of them.

13

Damon stared at Ella, measuring vodka into a glass and wearing bright red lipstick. She’d smoothed her blond hair down and tucked it behind both ears, which held small hoops instead of her diamonds. She didn’t have those on earlier.

“Earth to Damon.” Ryker laughed. “You’re not paying a damn bit of attention to this conversation. You brought Ella here, but now you’re staring at her like you hadn’t seen her in a year.”

He scratched his cheek, his beard freshly trimmed. “I had to run to the store for more napkins. She wasn’t like that when I delivered her to Lacy earlier. She added more makeup.” And looked beautiful, either made up or natural.

“I don’t blame you for staring. If you hadn’t called dibs on Ella yet, I’d be ditching you boys to flirt my ass off with her at the bar.” Ryker finished his beer. “Nothing about her says boardroom tonight except for the pearls. I see she wore those again. Can’t say I hate them with the leather.”

“Leather? What are you talking about?” Damon asked. From his viewpoint, she still wore the black tank top that showed morecleavage than he had expected to see earlier. But now, with her hair and makeup, he found himself wondering why he thought this was a good idea. Only now, it wasn’t because he was worried about her safety. He did want to lock her in the apartment, but it would behisapartment and, more specifically, his bed.

“You haven’t seen it yet?” Slater whistled low. “It’s not only that blood-red lip tonight, my man. The fact she swapped her tailored suit for a mini skirt.”

“What?” Damon stood and turned to see what the other men watched.

Ella.

They all watched Ella as she headed across the room, carrying a tray of beer and missing pants. Every one in the bar broke their neck, watching her pass in that leather skirt and black fishnet tights.

Her smile brightened as she drew near. “Heard you were thirsty.”

“What in the hell are you wearing?” Damon snapped. “What happened to your jeans?”

Slowly, she slid the tray onto the table without spilling their drinks. “You do have the most unusual way of greeting your waitress when she brinks you beer.” She smiled at the other three men.

“Hi,” they said simultaneously, all with huge smiles.

Damon moved behind her, blocking anyone from checking out her butt. “Dammit, Ella. Your ass is about to fall out of that skirt.”

---