“Know what?”
He smirked, not immediately responding. “Tell me more about what my father wanted to speak with you about.”
I tilted my head to the side. “So, you’re just going to ignore my question, huh?”
He chuckled under his breath. “Imani, please. What did he want?”
“Well actually, that’s my good news. He wanted to apologize for not being able to take me on the welcome lunch.” I unfolded my arms and placed my palms flat on the table, leaning his way. “Now answer my question. What would they know?”
“That I like you.”
My eyebrows flew up and my jaw dropped slightly. “Oh?”
I wasn’t expecting that at all.
Did I know he liked me? Yes.
Did I like him? Yes.
Did I want him? Yes.
But did I think he was going to say that? Absolutely not.
“Don’t look so surprised,” he chuckled. “You knew that.”
My stomach fluttered and I stood up straight. “I just didn’t expect you to say it.”
“Why not?”
“Because we’re at the office. Because your father is back. Because Josephine knows.” I lifted my shoulders. “Because we’ve been avoiding the topic since that night.”
He stroked his beard suggestively. “What night?”
Heat warmed my cheeks. Just the thought of that night sent a flashback straight to my core. “Youknowwhat night.”
“I want to hear you say it.”
I tilted my head to the side.
“The night you made me come over the phone with just your voice,” I whispered.
He closed his eyes and hung his head. “Yeah, this was a bad idea. You should go.”
“Are you kicking me out?”
“Yes,” he laughed, backing away from the table. “You look too good. You’re flirting with me. You keep looking at me like that. And all it’ll take is for you to say the word and I’ll have you spread out on this table.”
I bit my bottom lip and let the idea of him fucking me on the table wash over me. And I wanted him. I wanted him more than I’d wanted anyone in my life.
And I almost told him that.
But then I remembered the gala, the contacts, the opportunities. And as much as I liked him, I couldn’t jeopardize my career for good dick.
Resisting every urge, I let out a little whimper of regret. “As much as I want that, you and I both know we can’t let that happen.”
“Exactly,” he agreed. “So that’s why I’m kicking you out.”
“Fine!” I threw my hands up dramatically. “I’m going to leave instead of standing here and allowing myself to be seduced.”
He chuckled as he followed me. “Seduced?”
After picking up my stuff, I narrowed my eyes at him. “Seduced,” I confirmed with a laugh. “Goodbye, Tre.”
“Bye, Imani.”
*****