Page 60 of Privileged (Adrenalin)

“Why do you think I’m deep in thought?”

He runs the tip of his finger between my eyebrows. “You’ve got a crease right here that you only get when you’re overthinking.”

“I’m notover-thinking.” I rub circles into my forehead as if it will make the line go away. “I’m just thinking.”

“What’s the difference?” The corner of his lip pulls upward like he’s fighting a smile.

Closing the book, I force myself to meet his gaze. “I know what I want. I don’t know how you’ll feel about it, though.”

“Sounds serious.” Carter’s fingers toy with the hair at the nape of my neck.

“Maybe a little.” I bite my lip and stare into his whiskey brown eyes, which soften with concern as he waits for me to speak. “I don’t want to keep this a secret anymore.”

“Okay.”

“Okay? That’s it? No objections?” I feel my jaw drop despite the fact this is exactly what I wanted.

“Nope.” He flashes a sexy grin, pulling me to him for another kiss. Before he can make contact, I put my hand on his chest and push him back.

“What about your dad? The board? Don’t we need some kind of plan?”

“The fact that you’re asking makes me think you want me to talk you out of it.” His gaze morphs from heated to wary.

“No, of course not,” I protest. Taking his hand in mine I do my best to elaborate. “It’s just that I’ve been through all the pros and cons, and I think there will actually be less speculation about what I’m doing with you if people know we’re together. Can you say the same about your dad, or the board?”

“Does it matter? You don’t want to keep this a secret.” He strokes his thumb over the back of my hand.

“I don’t, but I will if it puts you in jeopardy.” Just because I’ve come to terms with the stigma I might suffer by what I’m doing with Carter doesn’t mean he’s ready to risk his career. Even if I might mean something to him.

“I know you would.” This time I don’t fight him when he pulls me in for a tender kiss, which sends my heart into overdrive. But my giddiness is cut short when I hear his heavy sigh.

“Truthfully, I don’t know if there’s anything I can do to make my dad happy.” Carter’s distant expression hints at the stress that prompted Janice to bring me in to help. “He’s indulging this endeavor because it’s my dream, buthisdream is to have me work for him. If I do anything to screw it up, like mixing my personal life with business, there’s a chance he pulls the plug. I think I can head that off by giving him a viable plan to make the resort profitable, but as far as our relationship goes, the longer we keep this a secret the worse it will look when it comes out. From a professional perspective, it makes sense not to hide anymore.”

Carter’s logic is sound—it’s the same conclusion I came to for my own reasons—though part of me had been hoping it would be emotion, not logic, that led him to agree with me.

Willing my voice to stay level, I say, “So we’re on the same page?”

“Why do I get the impression that’s not what you want to hear?” He strokes my cheek, ignoring the question.

“Of course that’s what I want to hear. It’s the smart thing to do.” I stare at my lap to keep him from seeing the disappointment I’m sure is all over my face.

“Fuck smart.” His hand slides to my chin, tipping it up so I’m forced to meet his eyes.

“What?” I gasp.

“Sloan, I agree getting rid of the secrets is smart career wise, but saving our asses is not my primary motivation.”

“It’s not?” I blink in rapid succession, too stunned to form any words. I don’t know how Carter knew I needed to hear that, but hiswords resonate deep in my chest, making me think it’s not too soon to think about the ‘L’ word.

“Hell, no. The fact that coming clean works in our favor is just a bonus. The real reason I want to do it is because you deserve better than to be kept in hiding. We both do. Keeping this a secret worked when I wasn’t sure where it would go. Where Iwantedit to go. Now I am.”

“Where’s that?”

“All the way.” The heated gaze that accompanies those words sends my heart racing once again.

“We’ve already gone all the way.” I’m baiting him, but I need him to say what I think he means.

“We have,” he agrees, tugging me forward so I have to straddle his lap. “Physically.”

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