Page 51 of Emergence and Ascendance

"Here? At your house?"

"Yes."

I stood up, shaking my head. "That's not a good look, Christian. People will talk."

"No one will know you're here. This estate is private and my staff is discreet. I pay them well and they won't fuck that up."

"Me living here crosses lines."

"The line's already crossed, Scotlyn. Think about it. You being here makes it much easier while we're working together, and for the other part..."

"I can't just move in with you. James is here."

"Do you trust him?"

I did. He had been with me for years and kept some of my most intimate secrets. Having an assistant shadowing me twenty-four-seven meant James being exposed to the best and worst parts of me. My life wasn't always pretty, mostly because of my family, but James had proven he understood discretion.

"Yes."

"Then I pay for wherever he stays as long as it isn't here."

I frowned and he grinned. "I'm not sharing you with anyone while we're in this. Not even your assistant."

"He's my right hand."

"He can work for you remotely."

"You have enough space and you're forcing me to move in…"

He shook his head. "Not happening and you're not moving in. This is a temporary arrangement."

I sighed, accepting that I wouldn't win that argument, so I moved on. "What will I tell people, specifically James and my family?"

"That you found more suitable long-term accommodations. Which is true."

"Why is this so important to you? Can't we meet somewhere in the middle on this?"

"It's the only term I won't bend on."

"That doesn't answer my question."

Christian lifted from his seat and rounded the table, standing close enough that I could feel the warmth of his body. "I want you here because thirty days isn't a long time. I want every second you're promising me."

There was damn sure logic to his argument but the thought of being here, with him, for thirty days...

"This is insane," I said.

"Is that a yes?"

"Yes but I also have conditions."

He grinned and took a step back, giving me space. "Name them."

"I need my own car. I come and go as I please. No questions about where I spend my time."

"Done."

"This arrangement stays between us. No one, not even your staff, knows the full details."

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