Page 40 of Greed

Is he seriously pulling this shit on me right now?

“I haven’t received anything to review yet,” I try that tactic, knowing it will fail. “Mr. Thorsen said I need to sign a contract.”

“Mr. Thorsen isn’t here.” He points at the sidewalk. “I’m here, and we’re going to have dinner and discuss what I expect from you.”

I try to tug my arm free again, but his hand isn’t going anywhere. I exhale loudly. “You expect me to be your attorney.”

“Yes, and my ally,” he adds. “We’re going to navigate this deal together.”

I glance behind him to where Rygar is standing next to the car. “Why me, Declan? You’re an attorney. You can handle this entire deal yourself. We both know that.”

He tugs me half a step closer to him. I acquiesce because my body is a traitor, and the chance to be near him is too good to pass up.

“You deserve an opportunity to prove yourself,” he says in a low tone. “I want a woman working this deal, and I think you’re the perfect person to handle it.”

“You have female attorneys on staff at Wells,” I point out. “I’ve met two since I started working for Rook.”

“Then you know that both are very skilled and talented lawyers, but I don’t feel that either will bring the perspective to this that I know you will.”

I hold back a laugh. “What exactly does that mean?”

“You enjoy the product.” His gaze drops to the front of my blouse and beyond. “You loved how my dick felt wrapped in one of those condoms.”

I swallow hard, desperate to regain what little composure I’m clinging to. “Don’t go there.”

“We already went there.” He traces my lips with his gaze. “We’re going back there soon.”

“I can’t sleep with you and work with you.”

“You sure as hell can.” He gazes into my eyes. “Help me with this. We’ll keep it professional during the day and at night…”

“At night?” I whisper.

“I’ll fuck you as often as you want, and I’d say as much as I need, but I’ll always need more of you.”

My skin heats at his words. “Declan.”

“Abby,” he bites my name out through clenched teeth. “I requested your assistance because I trust you to do a good job. I need you to trust that I can balance our professional and personal relationships.”

“Can you?” I question with a perked brow.

I’m only asking because I’m not convinced I’ll be able to handle it.

“Yes,” he answers without hesitation.

“Because you’ve balanced it before?” I press on, “I’m right, aren’t I? You’ve slept with women you’ve worked with.”

“That’s irrelevant.” He shakes his head. “We’re talking about us, not any other women I’ve…”

“Fucked.” I toss a hand in the air. “I’m talking about my career, Declan. I can’t allow myself to be in a position that makes me vulnerable. This job is way too important to me.”

His gaze searches my face. “I understand. I’m not going to do anything that will risk your job. You have my word.”

That’s not good enough for me because I’ve learned, through trial and error that I can only depend on one person, and that’s me.

“If I feel we’re crossing a line that jeopardizes my career, the sex stops.” I scrub a hand over my forehead. “I can’t meet with you or sleep with you tonight. I have plans.”

It’s not a complete lie. I plan on going home to hang out with my sister until she hits the hay at ten p.m., and I’m left alone to contemplate whether I can keep the line between business and pleasure from blurring.

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