Page 50 of Emergence and Ascendance

"And regardless of how perceptive I am of you now that I've had my mouth on your pussy, you're incredibly easy to read."

I almost choked on the wine I drank and Christian chuckled.

"I'm not the only one. Just because they haven't been here doesn't mean there aren't any other women."

Why was I fishing…

"There have been, at Erogenous, and as much as I enjoy my time with them there, it's transactional. There's no connection."

"Why not?"

"I didn't want one." The intense look he delivered was enough for me to shut down any other questions about that. Touchy subject, which I understood because I damn sure didn't want to share the details of my fucked up marriage with him.

The next hour we enjoyed our food and talked like sharing a meal was something we had done a million times before. Christian was naturally charming, attentive, funny, and damn sure nice to look at. He was everything I could see myself wanting in a partner which created a huge issue. By the time we finished eating, I knew I was in trouble. I liked him. Not just his body or what he could do with it, but him.

When Christian pushed his empty plate away and those demanding eyes locked on mine, I should have jumped up and ran straight to the door.

"What's your decision?"

"If I agree, what are the terms?"

"I help you navigate the local politics, introduce you to the right people, make sure your permits go through without delays, and I won't challenge this deal you've brokered with theMcKenzies. All I ask is that you honor the thirty-day contract at Erogenous."

"And at the end of thirty days?"

"We both get what we want and go our separate ways."

"Just like that?"

"Just like that. Unless you want something more."

I would definitely want more, which was the problem…

Instead of openly admitting my fear, I shifted into business mode. "I need something in writing about the business arrangement."

"Whatever you need."

"And no one can know about the other part."

He smiled sexily. "Agreed, I don't kiss and tell."

"I want separate spaces for each. When we're working on business, that's all we discuss. When we're at Erogenous, business doesn't exist."

"I can work with that."

I studied his face, looking for any signs that he wouldn't adhere to my terms. There weren't any.

"Okay."

"Okay?"

"I'll do it. Both parts."

Christian's smile sent heat through my body. "Good choice. There's one more condition."

"What condition?"

"You stay here for the duration of the contract."

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