Page 8 of Theirs to Take

“We aren’t going on a date tonight,” she countered. He was persistent, she’d give him that much.

“Okay, what time should I pick you up to go apartment hunting?” he asked.

“I’ve already told you that isn’t necessary, Alex,” she reminded.

“Right, but humor me,” he said. “I want to go with you, Nova.”

“Fine,” she mumbled. “Suit yourself. I just thought you might have something better to do than help me find a new place to live.”

“Nope,” he insisted. “I have the night free and I’m all yours,” he said, holding his arms wide as if proving his point.

“I’ll need to run home before my first appointment. I’d like to change into something more casual. I can meet you back here at six,” she offered.

“No need to come back across town,” he said. “My driver already knows your address from our dinner date last night. I’ll have him pick you up,” he offered.

“First—it wasn’t a date, Alex. Second, I don’t need you to send a driver to pick me up. I am capable of driving myself.” She wasn’t about to admit to him that she loved being spoiled a bit last night when he had his driver pick her up for dinner. It reminded her of all the times that Simon would hire a car service to take them to their fancy dinners and parties that they had to attend as a couple. She loved getting all dressed up for those events, but Nova knew that those days were now over. Alex gave her a little taste of her former life and she suddenly felt as though she was missing out on something. That was crazy because she’d never want to go back to her life with her ex—all she wanted was her son back, and with any luck, this new job would help her attain that goal.

“I told you yesterday that accepting this job, you’d have to accept some of the perks that come with it, Nova. Let me have my car pick you up tonight,” he pleaded.

“Do you offer this service to all of your employees, Alex? I mean, do the people in your accounting department get picked up to go to the grocery store by your driver?” she challenged.

“No,” he grumbled.

“All right then,” she said. “I’ll meet you back here at six.”

Alex sighed and crossed his arms over his chest, and she had to admit—she was completely turned on by his stance. “Nova,” he started. She wasn’t going to give him the chance to argue his point further.

Nova patted his arm and turned to leave, “Got to go, Alex,” she said. “I have a meeting, remember?” She was out of his office and sitting back at her desk before he could stop her and a part of her felt like she had won a small victory. She was sure that wouldn’t always be the case when arguing with Alex. In fact, she was sure that she’d lose quite a few of their “discussions,” but today, she’d take the victory.

Nova spent the rest of the day running around the building, acquainting herself with the firm and the people she’d be working directly with. Every time she met someone new, she worried that they’d somehow be able to see right through her and guess that she had sex with their boss, but no one brought it up, even if they were thinking it.

She left work at five, on the dot, hoping to get a quick shower and be able to change into jeans and a t-shirt for the evening. Her feet were killing her from wearing heels all day for the first time in a damn long time. All she wanted were her simple comforts and jeans and a t-shirt were just that for her.

Nova had just enough time to get back to meet Alex at the office at six when she grabbed her purse and keys, tugged on her shoes, and opened her door, running into a wall of delicious-smelling man.

“Alex,” she shouted as his arms banded around her body to help steady her. “What the hell are you doing at my apartment?”

“Picking you up for our date,” he said.

She sighed and removed herself from his arms. “It’s not a date,” she reminded. “And I told you that I would meet you at the office.”

“I know,” he said. “But I want to have time with you and well, having a driver affords me that luxury.” She looked him over and realized that he had also changed and God, the man looked good in jeans and a T-shirt. It was black and hugged his muscles, making her hot and needy all over again.

“You have tattoos,” she said, reaching for his arm and tugging it closer to study them. “I like them.”

“Thanks,” he said. She wondered where else she’d find tattoos and suddenly, Nova felt very overheated. “Each one has special meanings. Do you have any?” he asked.

“Um, just one,” she admitted. “It’s a butterfly for my grandmother. I have it on my hip.”

“Ah—I think I saw it earlier today when we—” She held up her hand, stopping him.

“I know what we did this morning, Alex,” she said. “I don’t need you to remind me.”

He smiled at her, and she felt her girl parts overheat again. “How about we go look at these places that you want to move to, honey? I’m starving and want to get to dinner.”

“I never agreed to dinner, Alex,” she said.

“I know, but I figured that looking at apartments would make both of us hungry,” he said.

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