Page 54 of His Rules

“Yes, he is.” Daniel was the kind of man who would give you the shirt off his back. Actually, he’d done that more than once. I chuckled from the surfacing memories. Those had been the days we’d both acted and had felt like kings.

“What’s so funny?” She closed the door, careful to keep her distance from me.

“Your father isn’t necessarily as innocent as you so believe.”

She threw a stern look over her shoulder before heading down the stairs, taking them very carefully. Perhaps she was remembering she’d tripped into my arms. Or perhaps I would find a reason to remind her. Or even repeat the sizzling action.

No one ever accused me of being the nice guy, but Daniel had proven he could be a badass himself. I had the distinct feeling his daughter was a carbon copy of him.

They were stories I doubted she’d ever hear.

“My father is out of your league.”

It was quite apparent she had no plans on cutting the attitude. I fully realized I had a part in pushing her to the edge with my behavior, but she was attempting to shove aside any fond memory of the night we’d shared.

While I’d relished every image forged in my mind.

Once outside, she honed in on the large sedan seconds after stepping onto the sidewalk. “No fancy sports car?”

Thompson stepped out, immediately opening the door.

I kept my hand on the small of her back, pushing her forward. She was tenser than at the office. There was no trust whatsoever and I wondered what kind of asshole had hurt her. If I had to guess, I’d say it was a recent burn. Thoughts of what I’d like to do to the jerk formed in the front of my mind.

Another surprise.

“Not entirely practical for driving in the streets of New York. I believe you know that too well since you don’t own a car.”

Before easing onto the seat, she gave me one last look and this one was pointed enough I instantly knew she was wishing shecould skewer me with dull, rusty metal. “Is there anything you don’t know about me, Mr. Winfield?”

I waited until she was all the way inside before leaning over to address her question. “The answer is no. I know everything about you professionally including what grades you received in college. What I have no clue about is the woman underneath all that hard, cold armor. But I intend on discovering every detail.”

I closed the door and unbuttoned my jacket before walking around to the other side. What struck me as the strangest aspect of our twisted relationship was that my possessive feelings and needs should exist. I wasn’t that kind of man.

However, I’d obviously suffered a personality alteration the day Kacey had walked into that bar. This wasn’t about fucking her for another night.

This was about keeping her.

CHAPTER 15

Kacey

The man had an amazing ass. I could only imagine it in tight-fitting jeans. Loose-fitting jeans. Any fitting jeans.

“Are you with me?” Sebastian’s deep baritone pulled at all my good senses, prepared to toss them away.

No, I couldn’t do that. I’d made a promise to myself. No more men. None. Zero. Even if they had the best ass this side of the Mississippi.

“Absolutely. I was just thinking about everything I’ve told you. I think you can turn the company around, but you need to make some changes.”

“So you’re suggesting a business expansion?”

Sebastian had an incredulous look on his face. We’d gone over ideas for over two hours and I was now throwing out spitballs.

“The way I see it, you have nothing to lose by considering doing so. Your idea about providing a turnkey luxurious experiencefor the wealthiest of wealthy is a good one, but I think you’re missing out on the most profitable aspects.” I wasn’t certain if what I’d said made any sense to him.

He drummed his fingers on the table, taking a few seconds to stare out at the New York skyline. The restaurant was one I never could have afforded while living here. It was the kind of place with no prices on the menu. If you had to ask, you couldn’t afford to eat here.

While my father had taken me out to some incredible locations when he’d visited, nothing had been of this caliber. I still had no idea why Sebastian had gone to so much trouble with the dress and the shoes, the champagne in the chauffeur-driven car, since we’d been talking nothing but the upcoming meeting since we sat down.

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