Page 103 of The Plus One Contract

Every word rolls off his tongue with that clipped, precise enunciation, his cadence perfectly controlled, almost hypnotic.

I lean against the bathroom counter, pressing my thighs together like an absolute amateur.

I have never in my life been turned on by a book about corporate manipulation, but here we are.

Nathan’s voice is gravelly as he reads: “The key to true influence is not in force, but in anticipation. To understand a person’s desires before they even voice them, to meet them at the intersection of need and control…’”

Jesus Christ.

He keeps going, a verbal tease that has no right to affect me like this.

I fan my face.

I can’t let him know this is doing things to me.

Clearing my throat, I try to sound normal, which is very difficult when your whole body is actively betraying you. “Huh. So it’s basically like foreplay for businessmen.”

There’s a beat of silence.

“That’s… one way to put it.”

I peek around the doorframe, and he’s smiling.

A real one.

I swear to God, it’s almost worse than the glasses.

I groan, rubbing moisturizer a little too aggressively into my cheeks. “Well, enjoy your corporate dirty talk. I need to get dressed.”

He chuckles before flipping another page.

Thirty-Eight

“Mom, if you saymoistone more time, I swear to God—”

“I don’t understand why it bothers you all so much.” Mom huffs, spreading butter over her dinner roll. “It’s just a word.”

“It’s a cursed word,” Jeremy says, stabbing at his steak.

“Disgusting,” Grace adds.

“A violation of the English language,” I say.

“Oh, please,” Mom scoffs. “You’ll all be grateful for moist cake at the wedding tomorrow.”

Jeremy shudders. “There it is. Ruined. I can’t eat it now.”

I smile, glancing to my left, expecting Nathan to be sitting there, maybe even contributing to the chaos, but his seat is empty.

Right.

It’s scary how easily I got used to having him here all night.

He stepped out for a business call about ten minutes ago, which I barely registered at the time. Something aboutfive minutes, sweetheart, a quick kiss to my temple, and then he was gone. But now, with the weight of too many curious eyes on me, I check my phone.

Nothing.

I tuck my phone into my clutch, forcing a casual smile before standing. “I’m just going to get some fresh air.”

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