Page 22 of Enticing My Off Limits Billionaire

"A little."

He puts his arm around me without a word, sending my heart stuttering.

"So..." I say, biting my lip. "My dad seemed pretty miffed that we were talking."

"I think we're all figuring out how to adjust," Quinn says. "Your dad—he worries about you. I know you think he doesn't consider you at all, but he talks about you all the time."

I let out a snort. "Oh really? What does he say?"

"He thinks you're a genius. He wishes he hadn't been absent for so much of your childhood. I heard him sing your praises dozens of times before I actually met you...he just doesn't always know how to say it to your face."

I shake my head, not quite sure how to feel about that. On the one hand, it's nice to know that my dad cares about me. On the other hand, it's frustrating that he can't express his feelings to me when all I've ever wanted is his approval.

"I don't know," I say finally. "It's just hard, you know? This whole situation is so...complicated."

"I know," Quinn says softly. "But you're handling it with grace, just like I said at the wedding. Just like you always do."

I look up at him, feeling a flutter in my chest. He's so kind, so understanding. He's been there for me, and even though I know I shouldn't, I can't help but feel a little bit of attraction towards him.

It's a bad idea, I know.

But why do I think that?

I consider how my dad looked when he realized me and Quinn had been talking...that me and Quinn had been spending time together. At first, I thought his reaction was hypocritical because of what he did with my best friend, but now...

It would be poetic, wouldn't it?

Me and Quinn?

My whole body seems to heat up at the prospect of it, and I snuggle closer to Quinn. I don't know how he would respond if I made a move, and I don't want to put my job in jeopardy. But he's so, so warm, his hard muscles wrapping me up and keeping me safe.

"You should get home," he says softly. "I don't want you to catch a cold or anything."

"You act like I'm fragile," I muse.

"I act like you're important," he says, looking down at me. "Big difference. I just...I value you, Madison."

I meet his gaze and feel my heart flutter again. God, I want him. I want him so badly it's almost painful. But I can't act on my urges. I can't risk losing him as a friend or losing my job.

"I value you too, Quinn," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "More than you know."

He smiles at me, and for a moment, it feels like we're the only two people in the world. I could get lost in his eyes, in the way his stubble brushes against my cheek, in the way his breath tickles my ear.

"I'll see you tomorrow," he says, standing up and offering me a hand.

I take it and let him pull me up, feeling a sense of loss as soon as his warmth leaves me. I don't want to go home. I want to stay here with him, to talk all night, to kiss him until we both forget about everything else.

"Site walk, right?" I ask.

"Ten A.M., sharp," he says. "Now...let's get you a cab."

Chapter seven

Quinn

Theperformancespaceispurchased, our core team is hired...and it's time to get to work on the Threshold Theatre.

Our space is a historical building in Greenwich, just a few blocks away from my apartment. The building was a department store a long time ago, then it was a CrossFit gym...and now, it's all ours. The sign over the door has a tarp draped over it, and it's been out of use for a couple years, so I know we've got work to do—but I can't wait to get started.

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