Page 94 of Back in Black

Stopping right in front of her, Drew asked, “Why? Does the idea of living with me bother you? Are you so old-fashioned that you want a ring on your finger first?”

“No!” The shrill denial took her by surprise. Gathering herself, she said, “No,” in a much firmer, less horrified tone.

Some vague emotion passed over Drew’s face. “The idea of a ring really spooks you, huh?”

Oh, worse and worse. Gillian had never been so flustered over something so simple, but Drew was teasing her with an illusion of what her heart badly wanted.

Time to be logical and reasonable.

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not in the least spooked.” She forced a small laugh. “All I’m saying is that I understand the logic in being extra careful. The world now knows we’re sleeping together. The cat’s out of the bag on that one.”

Drew narrowed his eyes the slightest bit.

“So why take unnecessary risks? Even though my building is secure, I don’t relish the thought of being alone.”

“Anything could happen,” he agreed.

“And we’re both mature adults who grasp the reasoning behind . . . cohabiting.” She would not use that awful descriptionshacking up. “And we both understand that it’s on a temporary basis.”

“I love logic in a woman.”

That tripped her up, but not for long. “Yes, well . . .” Wishing that he wouldn’t use the L word, Gillian forged on. “I’m a very capable person, as I’m sure you know. But after the bomb threat, what happened to my car, and the tragic drama of last night, I see no point to foolhardy bravery.” Glad to have successfully navigated through those treacherous waters, she released a pent-up breath. “Until we figure out who’s behind this nasty business, I’ll stay with you.”

Drew nodded as if bored by that diatribe. Ever so softly, he brushed the backs of his knuckles over one breast, and his voice lowered to that sexy rumble. “So it’s all about security. The fantastic sex doesn’t factor in to your decision?”

Gillian locked her suddenly shaky knees. If he thought she’d deny how much she enjoyed sex with him, he was wrong. “The great sex is an added bonus.” She nudged his hand down to her waist. “But understand, Drew, I wouldn’t live with any man just for sexual gratification.”

Nodding, he drew her closer and said against her mouth, “Just so you know, if you do need a ring, I can get you one, no problem.”

Did he really think she was that shallow about appearances? “I can afford to buy my own rings, thank you.”

He looked very disgruntled with her, but then her cell rang, interrupting things.

Gillian groaned. She just knew who it was, and she dreaded what would follow.

His expression dark, Drew said, “Ignore it.”

But she couldn’t. “I’ll only be a moment.” She sidled out of his embrace and went to the counter to dig her cell out of her purse.

Just as she suspected, it was her boss at the firm where she worked. The second she said hello, the reasoning behind a dismissal began. Gillian had little enough to say in reply beyond, “I understand.”

When the call ended, she closed her phone with a click and . . . just stood there.

Never in her life had she been “let go.” Her entire life, she’d been an exemplary employee who steadily advanced.

Her status had just changed in a very big way.

But she didn’t feel nearly as desolate as she’d imagined—because Drew had given her options.

And speaking of Drew . . . he seethed with concern and tempered anger.

The anger, Gillian knew, was on her behalf. “Well,” she said to him with a sincere smile, “I’m certainly glad that’s behind me.”

“What did they say?”

“In a nutshell, I’m now unemployed.”

“Wrong.” Drew watched her with caution, as if he expected her to start crying at any minute. “You’re working for me now, remember?”

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