Page 90 of Strictly Business

His words hit harder than I expect. It’s not just about the help, because Nicholas is a kind, giving man, but it’s the way he sees this… my family, as his responsibility too.

I swallow, struggling to keep my composure. “I don’t know how to accept this.”

“You don’t have to know how,” he replies, his voice softening. “Just trust me. Let me do this for you.”

I exhale, my shoulders dropping in surrender. “Okay.”

Nicholas gives me that smile as he leans in again, brushing his lips over mine. It’s slow and soft, his hand still resting on my waist, and the tenderness of it almost undoes me.

When he pulls back, I feel the lingering warmth of his kiss on my lips. I touch my fingers to my lips, trying to steady my breath, but it’s no use when my heart pounds in my chest as he smiles down at me.

I tried to keep whatever is going on between us casual. Tried to ignore my feelings, but it’s impossible to do so anymore.

I’m falling for him.

And all I can think is how much it’s going to hurt when this ends.

Chapter thirty

Nicholas

I’m addicted.

It’s not something I’ve dealt with before. I like control—need it. The first time I tried a cigarette, I hated it, put it out before I even got halfway through. I’ve never been the type to get drunk or let a glass of whiskey become a habit. I’ve never even touched drugs. I’ve always thought addiction was for people who didn’t have control.

Until I met her.

The woman sitting beside me has me so far gone, I don’t even care if I look desperate. I probably do.

Her taste is burned into my memory.

Her scent is all over me, in my head, in the car,everywhere.

The shape of her lips.

The deep sage shade of her eyes.

Every part of her has me completely under her spell.

I haven’t stopped touching her since the moment we stepped off the jet. I can’t. Waiting isn’t happening. Not with her. Not tonight.

Amara’s hands grip my shirt, pulling me closer as I kiss her like I’m starving for her—because I am—and it’s still not enough. I slide my tongue along the seam of her lips, and she opens for me, a soft, breathy sound escaping her that goes straight to my cock.

My hand moves, finding her thigh, bare and warm under my palm. Her gasp breaks the kiss, but only for a second. “We’re almost home,” she whispers, her voice shaky, her body betraying her as her legs shift, inviting me closer.

“I’m impatient.”

My hand fists the hem of her dress, pulling it up. Her skin is soft under my fingertips, and I’m already picturing what’s underneath when the car jolts to a stop.

Her whole body goes stiff, her head whipping toward the front where the driver clears his throat. “We’re here.”

“Perfect fucking timing,” I mutter, leaning back, my hands reluctantly falling away.

She pushes at my chest, her cheeks flushed, but I catch the look in her eyes, the same need that’s burning me alive.

I lean in, my lips brushing her ear. “This isn’t over.”

She shivers against me as the driver opens the door, and I step out, adjusting my jacket before turning back to help her out of the car. My hand finds hers, pulling her close the second she’s out. Arousal swims in her eyes, and I let out a groan, tearing my eyes off her.

---