Page 125 of Tease Me (Dark Odyssey 1)

Perfect.“Well now you have the budget. Get your people to draw up a contract and I’ll invest.”

He looks taken aback. “Excuse me?”

“Don’t make me repeat myself. I said I’ll invest. So you hire her like you would have and I’ll provide the backing for the salary and anything else you see fit.”

“That’s awfully kind of you... This is not going to be one of those things that ties me in to doing what you want or I get killed or someone for me gets it, is it?” His brows pinch.

“No, I assure you it’s not.”

“Wow, this is very unexpected. You people are not known for your kindness.”

“Watch it.” I point at him and he chuckles. He might be scared of me but he knows how to handle himself.

“You know what I mean. Look I can only offer her part time hours. I can’t take from the guy I hired. I don’t have that much work on the books with the absence of my partners.”

I nod. “That’s fine. Get your people to contact me and contact her as soon as possible.”

I may be an asshole but I feel that she needs something to give her hope and renew her self-belief. That something isn’t working for me or agreeing to be mine.

This is for her.

I stand up and he gives me a nod.

* * *

It’s justafter six when I get the contract details emailed over to me from Peter.

I sign it and wire over the money he’s requesting. He’s done it clever by asking for an amount equivalent to a salary. Just thirty grand for part time work and then an investment of two grand per month. I like that because it feels better. I get back a percentage on their yearly profits but I’ve already decided I’m not taking it.

I’m just fixated on this girl who’s clearly worked some spell on me.

Mia’s waiting for me in the office when I get to the club. I’m a little late. She’s all dressed up for me but like last night I take her home.

She ends up in my bed again. The more she comes here the more she feels like she belongs. She drifts off to sleep and I watch her until I fall asleep too.

Once again the sun wakes me up but instead of opening my eyes and looking over at the window, it’s her I see. She’s dressed, sitting on the bed, trying to look upset with me and failing when I reach for her. She swats my hands away and backs off the bed so she can place her hands on her hips.

“Nick, it was you wasn’t it?” she asks and those green eyes of hers stare into me.

I smirk, guessing Peter’s made contact.

“Me what me, baby?” I narrow my eyes at her. She shows me her phone. There’s an email from Peter alright offering her a part-time job.

“This is great doll.”

“You’re seriously going to act like you had nothing to do with this? A man like this doesn’t suddenly change his mind.”

“Has he met you?” I tease and slide off the bed to reach for her. She giggles and jumps out of my reach. “Has he seen you? That would explain why he changed his mind then I’d have to go put him in his place and inform his ass you’re mine.”

“Nick.”

I grab her.

“What?”

“It was you.” She stands on her tip toes and plants a kiss on my chin. “It was you and I’m grateful.”

Her lips on my skin is like fire. Fire that burns and you want to back away but it holds you in place and you can’t move even if you try. I don’t even want to do that part.

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