Page 43 of Designed for Disaster

My heart skipped in my chest. “Well, that’s good. At least we’re doing thisfakedating thing by the books.”

“Not quite,” Trent pointed out. “Since I haven’t actually taken you out on any kind of date yet.”

Was Trent about to ask me out? While I wasn’t sure how much I wanted my coworkers to know about this fake-relationship arrangement I’d stumbled into, that didn’t mean I didn’t like the idea of spending some real time with him outside of work. “You mean like on arealdate?” I said, being deliberately coy.

“Yes, Natasha,” he huffed, rolling his eyes. “Like on a real date.”

I leaned back in my chair, regarding him. My heart danced to a giddy beat, but I kept my expression as neutral as I could. “Why?”

“Because…I’d like to take you out. And I’d also like to thank you properly,” he said. “For the other night. For driving all the way to New Jersey and being so great with Jimmy. I really did appreciate all your help.”

“I know. And that’s okay.” Honestly, I’d had a surprisingly good time meeting Trent’s brother, seeing them together, getting to know Trent a little better, and letting Trent get to know me a little more too. Even though the thought of going out on a date with Trent made my pulse race, a small part of me was also hesitant to let him in any more than I already had—opening myself up to another person who might only let me down in the end. “You don’t have to take me out.”

“I know. Iwantto,” he said, crossing his arms as he leaned against the doorframe. He’d forgone his usual jacket, standing there in a probably-very-expensive dress shirt rolled at the sleeves to show off those squash-toned forearms.

They were very,verynice forearms, and I tried and failed not to notice his hands. Damn this man.

Damn those hands.

And damn me for thinking about what he could do with those hands.

It was only a kiss, girl. One measly little kiss. Get a hold of yourself!I needed to stop ogling my boss and get back to work. But with Trent standing there, rocking forward on the balls of his feet like he was barely holding himself back from pouncing on me, work was the last thing on my mind. He might very well let me down in the end, but what if he didn’t? And anyway, we weren’t at the end yet, and it looked like the ride to get there could be a damn good time.

In other words, I really wanted to say yes.

“We could do dinner,” he suggested.

Yes, I almost shouted, but I just couldn’t stop myself from toying with him. “I really don’t think I have any time in my calendar.”

He frowned. “You can’t find one free evening over the next week?”

I picked up my phone, pretending to scroll through my commitments. “Looks like I’m a very busy woman.”

“Busy doing what?”

“Stuff.”

“Stuff with who?” he growled.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” His expression shifted from curious to annoyed. Did the thought of me doing things with other people bother him? I sort of wanted to ask. But I also couldn’t help wondering what spending deliberate one-on-one time with Trent would mean. What had that kiss meant? Did he have the same heart-pounding rush of adrenaline I did every time he thought about it?

“I think you should check your calendar again,” he said, his dark eyes twinkling as they narrowed in my direction. “I insist.”

“You insist?”

“If dinner doesn’t work, fine. I’m sure you can make time for a drink.”

“Can I?”

“Check. Your calendar. Again,” he said in a tone that made me shiver.

Okay, I’d played enough hard to get. Besides, what was the harm in having a drink with him? I hummed, my resolve softening. Trent must have sensed it too, because a smirk tugged at his lips.

“I suppose I can be available Friday night.”

“Perfect. I’ll take you somewhere nice.”

“It doesn’t have to be anything fancy,” I said. God, where did a billionaire even go for drinks?

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