Page 33 of Temptation

“It would please me very much,” he said, “if you would accept my gift.”

“You’ve left me little choice,” I grumbled.

But I had to admit, it was a relief to have a safer car. One that wouldn’t leave me stranded on the side of the road when I was trying to get Mom to an appointment she couldn’t miss. That had happened just last week. So even though I wished Knox would’ve talked to me about it first, I realized I should’ve been thanking him, not scolding him.

“Thank you.” I placed my hand over his, and it was then he peered up at me. His gaze darted from my eyes to my lips then down to my shirt.

I moved closer, leaning against his desk. Wanting him to see more of me.Wantmore from me. Because he made me feel seen in a way no one else had.

“You’re welcome.”

“Look,” I sighed. “I’m sorry if I came across as ungrateful. I appreciate it more than you could know. But…” How could I say this without coming out and saying it?

“But what?”

“I know this is going to sound ridiculous, but I don’t want to get used to it.”

He furrowed his brow. “Get used to what?”

“You know…” I made a show of looking around, taking in the luxury and splendor that surrounded me. “All this. I’ll be moving out soon.” At least, I assumed so. We hadn’t discussed the termination of the placement, but we both knew it was looming.

He steepled his fingers and regarded me over the top of them. “I see.”

But I wasn’t sure he did. Knox may not act entitled, but he’d been raised with money. He was one of the heirs to a freaking billion-dollar hotel fortune. He’d nevernothad money.

“That’s actually something I want to discuss.”

The abrupt change of topic was jarring, but I leaned my hip against the desk, trying not to let my anxiety show. “That sounds ominous.”

He shook his head. “It’s about an opportunity.”

I quirked my brow, my mind going all sorts of places. “What kind of opportunity?”

“One I’d like to discuss over dinner. Are you hungry?” he asked, though he was the one with the ravenous look in his eyes. It warmed me to the core, and I shifted as if that would somehow ease the ache.

Nothingeased the ache.

Not my fingers. Not my vibrator. It was as if I walked around in a constant state of arousal. I often wondered if Knox knew just how keyed up my body was. How I burned for him.

I lifted a shoulder. “A little.”

“Good,” he said with a wolfish smile.

“Is there a dress code?” I asked.

When Knox had gone out to dinner the other night, he’d been wearing a sport jacket. If that was a regular Tuesday evening for him, I had no idea what to expect.

“Wear whatever you like,” he said, standing from his desk and rounding it.

I needed more information. He’d said it was an “opportunity.” Did that mean it was a business dinner? Would there be other guests? Would Jude be there?

God, I hope not.

I felt bad enough that I had a crush on my boss. Anytime Jude was near, it only made me feel worse about the fact that my boss was also my ex’s dad.

Still, I couldn’t resist asking, “What would youlikefor me to wear?”

Knox shook his head, his attention on the floor. “Answering that question will only get me into trouble.”

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