Page 48 of His Dark Hunger

“It just feels wrong.” Her brows knitted. “Taking your money to help my son, especially when you’re proposing to do so much to help me, too.”

“Not proposing.” He wanted to smile at her incessant passivity. While he enjoyed her sexual subservience, he’d do everything he could to bolster her into a more confident woman. “Iamhelping you, Amy.”Whether you like it or not.“And it’s not wrong.” Blowing out a breath, he rose to his feet and strode around his desk to join her. “There’snothingwrongabout us being together and solving problems together.”

“But it’s not together, is it, sir?” She craned her neck, her expression crestfallen. “I can never do anything to repay you.”

“You’re doing everything already.” Reaching for the side of her face, he stroked her soft skin with his thumb. “Being here with me, giving yourself to me, and letting me in.”

The flesh under his digit heated as she presumably contemplated what those things meant.

“It’s not enough.” She sighed.

The real irony was the reality couldn’t be further from the truth. Her existing debts amounted to nothing as far as he was concerned. He could clear every one of them and barely lose interest on his investments.

“It’smorethan enough.” His fingers slid to her neck, gripping her gently. “I want you to know that.”

“But,sir…” The telltale emotions flickered in her beautiful eyes. “You don’t understand.”

“I’m trying to.” He tilted her jaw to ensure she met his eyes. “What you’ve brought into my life is worth more than any amount of fucking money.”

Her eyes flitted closed fleetingly as she absorbed his words. “I love that you mean that, sir, but I—”

“But nothing.” Seriously, he had to put a stop to her self-deprecating tone. She’d done nothing wrong, save for marrying a low-earner and juggling escalating finances. She had to stop acting as though she was the incompetent villainof the piece. “I am dealing with it, little girl, and if you defy me, I’ll make sure everyone gets to see your spanked bottom so they can decide whether it’s as red as your face will be.”

Inside the fabric prison of his pants, his cock strained at the tantalizing mental image.

“Sir.” From under his touch, her blush deepened. “I’m being serious!”

“As am I.” He lowered to plant a chaste kiss on her crown. “After everything I’ve asked of you, you can’t seriously believe I wouldn’t put you through it.”

“That’s beside the point, sir.” She nibbled at her lower lip as though contemplating the alleged punishment. “You can’t equate money with public punishments!”

He stifled laughter at her obvious embarrassment, though whether it was born of actual mortification or arousal, he couldn’t be sure. Both were possible.

“I can, and I am.” His fingers knotted in her hair. “You’re going to let me have my way on this, young lady.”

Her face softened at his terse tone. “You can’t call me young lady, sir. I’m nearly fifty!”

“You do seem to want to tell me what I can and can’t do today, little girl.” He wanted to kiss her again, wanted to cover her in his affection, and rail her over his desk, but sadly, Randall was waiting outside, and there were far less interesting conversations to be had.

“I’m just trying to be reasonable, sir.” She turned her face toward the heel of his hand and grazed her mouth over it.

“Well, thank you for your reason.” He was definitely going to have her again, just as soon as he could, but first, he’d ensure her ass was suitably contrite for all the pushback she was generating. Perhaps, in the haze of the last few days, he’d been too lenient on her. If that was the case, then he’d work hard to make sure he did better. “But your gratitude, companionship, and submission are more than sufficient, little girl.

“Now get out there and show Randall in.” Lowering the hand that had snaked around her middle, he slapped her backside playfully. She looked fabulous in the new playsuit he’d bought her, her figure just as appealing as most women half her age, but there were still occasions he missed the maid’s attire. “The poor old guy will be wondering what the hell’s happened.” He winked at her to convey there was no genuine displeasure but wanted her to move, regardless.

“Okay, sir.” She reached up on her tiptoes to kiss his jaw. “I’ll get Mr. Randall.”

“And Jonah,” he reminded her.

“And Jonah.” She parroted back his words. “Oh, and sir?” Standing by the door, she glanced back his way.

“Hmmm?”

“I really am thankful for everything you’re doing.” She pressed her palm against the door frame.

“I know, little girl.” Moving to his desk, he perched on the hard surface as she wiggled away. “I know.”

Chapter Nineteen

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