Page 32 of The Charmer's Gambit
“My cousin,” Will explained. “Evan’s little sister.”
“Oh, the doctor?” Sarah briefly mentioned her to me. “She’s moving home soon, right?”
“December,” Maeve replied, her excitement palpable.
“She’s Mia’s best friend and practically grew up at the Mershano family home.”
“Hence the reason Will hired me.”
Will cast her a fond look that was more brotherly than romantic. The competitor inside me relaxed at that expression, while the sane part of me cringed.
Getting protective over a man who isn’t even remotely yours.Smooth, Rach.
“We both know that’s not why I hired you, darlin’. Your resume more than qualified you. Now seriously, get out of here before Robbie calls me to complain again.”
“Yeah, yeah. I can handle him.” She winked at me like I understood the dynamic between them all, then grabbed her bag. “I’ll send you the presentation when I get home.”
“Thank you, Maeve.”
“Nice to meet you, Rachel. I look forward to working with you more in the future.”
“Uh, me too,” I answered slowly, narrowing my eyes at Will. “What have you been telling people?” I asked after Maeve disappeared into the foyer.
“That you’re an amazing attorney whom I wanted to hire,” he answered with a shrug. “But you already know that.”
My brow crinkled in confusion. “We’ve been working together for weeks.”
“Sure, through your firm. That doesn’t dismiss the fact that I still wanted to hireyou.” The intensity in his gaze matched the one I’d seen upstairs in his bedroom. My thighs squeezed at the memory, forcing me to take a step back to relieve the ache building there. Pain replaced desire as I stepped too hard on my injured foot. I’d spent most of the afternoon unconsciously balancing on one leg, and my other was quick to remind me why. Will’s hand snagged my hip, keeping me upright when I would have staggered back.
“I think it’s time for more elevation and ice,” he murmured as he guided me over to the couch. “I did recommend you stay seated for the meeting, and not stand up.”
I snorted. More like he ordered me to remain in my chair, which was why I ignored him. “I like to be on equal footing with clients,” I muttered as I fell into the plush cushions. They felt like clouds, which was the only reason I didn’t argue as he nudged me onto my back. Those clever fingers drifted down my leg as he snagged a pillow with his opposite hand.
“Yes, I’ve learned that about you.” He gently lifted my ankle and propped it up on a pile of fluff. “Your assertiveness is sexy, if a little dangerous.”
“Dangerous?” I repeated, incredulous. “Why, because it intimidates you?”
“No, darlin’. Because it excites me.” The grin that accompanied those words had me swallowing my tongue.
Wolfishdidn’t even begin to describethatlook. It was the kind of expression a woman wanted to see in the bedroom. The type filled with promise and confidence, and screaming,I know what you need.It scattered goose bumps down my arms and caused delicious sensations to coil tightly in my lower abdomen. It usually took a man several minutes of foreplay to entice that sort of reaction, but Will managed it with a wicked curl of his lips.
He let the moment simmer, heightening my arousal with each brush of his thumb against the hem of my skirt. My fingers twitched with the need to reciprocate, to touch him, to dosomethingother than curl tightly at my sides. But I couldn’t move, captivated by that look, entirely at his mercy. I’d never felt so completely floored in my entire life, but I luxuriated in it. Ryan’s control left me quivering in terror, while Will’s subtle dominance thrilled me. It was utterly fucked up, yet I had no desire to fight it.
“No more standing,” he murmured as he stepped away.
I glowered after his perfect ass, irritated that he broke the intimacy between us. “Or what?”
His response was a low chuckle that stoked the flames higher inside. How did he do that? It was both enthralling and infuriating. I considered standing again just to piss him off, but my ankle protested the idea. He returned a few minutes later with another towel and a bag of ice, as well as a glass of water. “Too soon for another anti-inflammatory, but hydration helps. You finish this and rest while I go figure out dinner.”
“You’re going to cook?” I hadn’t meant for it to sound so dubious, but from my limited experience, most men did not know their way around the kitchen. Ryan considered it a place for his staff, or the occasional woman, like me.
“Any vegetables you’re particularly averse to?” he asked, ignoring my question.
“Brussels sprouts.” I detested them.
“Noted,” was all he said as he disappeared down the hall. I hadn’t been to the back of the house yet, but I imagined it contained a large kitchen and dining area and maybe another entertainment-style room. This one lacked a television but did contain a few bookshelves and a myriad of seating. It had housed his team of twelve comfortably while we all introduced ourselves and reviewed various documents. Considering everyone’s comfort, it seemed obvious they met here often.
Savory notes tickled my nose after what felt like a lifetime of staring at the ceiling. I considered asking for my phone, but I didn’t want to see how many missed calls I had from Ryan. He likely wanted an update on my business trip, which was not his concern. Those words were on the tip of my tongue every time we spoke, but I could never force them out. Yet I had the sudden desire to send him a message stating just that. Maybe it was the security of being in Will’s home that left me feeling so bold. Ryancouldn’t touch me here, but he could the minute I left. That latter thought was what kept me from following through on the notion. He’d be waiting for me, and then all hell would break loose.
