Page 50 of Dante
"He's very good at that. Did you need something?"
"Always. I'm here to drop off some info and as a bonus, I get to see you." His friendly smile settled her frayed nerves and within minutes he had her laughing at some of the antics in his department.
Chapter 13
She contemplated just going home and staying there. Barricading the doors to keep him out, but truth be told, she wanted to be with him. Desperately. Even when she was mad at him, she still wanted to see him, touch him, be close to him. She was a goner, she acknowledged in despair. And if he did not feel the same way, well then, she was doomed. Because she loved him.
God help her, she was in love with him, helplessly, hopelessly. Irrevocably all the way gone over him. And could not see anything permanent in their arrangement. Yes, that's exactly what it was, an arrangement.
He was attracted to her, that much she realized. As naive as she was where men were concerned and she was admitting it. Apart from that worthless Michael, she had been with only one other guy and that was when she was in college. The relationship had lasted a year and then they had parted amicably and stayed friends. She had been so careful, telling herself that she wanted to make something of her life, before she started dating.
Her brother had sacrificed a lot for her, and she was not going to repay him by just jumping into bed with random men. Apart from that, she always had the fear of abandonment. Her parentshad left them to fend for themselves, turned their backs on their own children. It was something that had stuck in her craw and made her cautious.
Being an unwed mother had been the farthest thing from her mind. But here she was. Now she was caught up in a situation, she had no control over. She loved him. He was rude and arrogant, not to mention powerful and wealthy. He was also white.
And had women chasing after him. She had an idea that it was his aloof demeanor that mostly appealed to them.
She drove in behind him and switched off the engine. She was certainly not going to make it easy on him and behave as if she was eager to be here. Even though she was.
When he parked and exited the vehicle, he stood there for a few seconds as if waiting for her to do likewise. When it became apparent that she wasn't budging, he came over and opened the door.
"Are you coming in?" he asked mildly. He had come back from the meeting to head straight out, only coming back when it was time to leave.
"I'm contemplating."
"Can you do your contemplating indoors?" He glanced at the sky. "It looks like it's going to rain and it's bloody cold."
She bristled at his tone. "See, right there, is where I have a problem."
"I get it." She braced back against the seat when he reached in. Ignoring her, he simply lifted her out and into his arms.
"Put me down."
Kicking the door shut, he took her key and engaged the alarm and for the first time, noticed the dings on the grey chrome. "What kind of crap are you driving?"
Her eyes flashed at his derisive tone, and she struggled to be released.
He just tightened his arms around her and kept her there. "I might not drive a Lamborghini or a BMW, but this takes me where I want to go."
"How long have you had this junk?"
"That's none of your business."
"Let me guess, you bought it when you were in college."
"So?"
"And never saw fit to trade it in?"
"I could not afford it."
"I'll make a call to Roger tonight. The company has part ownership in several car dealerships." He started for the entrance, not noticing her ominous expression. "I think a convertible Mercedes Benz would do you fine."
"You're not buying me a car."
He punched the elevator button and chose that moment to glance down at her. A smile curved his lips at the incensed expression on her beautiful face.
"I will not have my woman driving around in that piece of junk. What kind of man do you take me for?"
