Page 33 of Enticing My Off Limits Billionaire

"Yes?"

"It was a little bit about Kylie," I admit. "I liked...I liked how upset my dad seemed when he found out we had been talking without him knowing. I thought it was unfair."

"You're angry at Gavin."

"Of course I am."

"And you think being with me will solve that?" Quinn asks softly.

"No," I say, meeting his gaze. "But being with you...it's like a breath of fresh air. It's like I can finally be myself around someone who understands me. Someone who doesn't judge me for my mistakes or my insecurities."

Quinn sighs, averting his eyes and staring into his coffee like he can read the future there. He doesn't say anything for so long that I almost speak up again—because I'm still scared that this is the end of our friendship, the end of everything.

"And being with you feels good, just...in general," I say. "You've quickly become one of the best friends I've ever had. I don't know what I would do without you."

Please don't leave.

"I'm not your dad, Madison."

"I'm aware," I shoot back. "I'm not sure if you noticed, but I really like you, and I kind of hate my dad."

"That's not what I mean," he says, swiping a hand down his face. "I respect your father too much to do this to him."

I lift my chin in defiance. "And what about me?" I ask.

Quinn heaves a deep breath. "We're still friends—still colleagues. I won't lose you on this project. You're essential to our vision for the Threshold, and I care about you, Madison."

I put my fork down on my empty plate and stand up, and then—slowly and deliberately, I round the table toward him. Quinn keeps his eyes on me, locking his gaze on mine while I stand right beside him.

He doesn't move when I lift my foot and put it on the other side of him, straddling him in his chair, and I sit down in his lap with my arms around his neck.

"Tell me you don't want this," I whisper.

I kiss him again.

Sober this time.

Fully in control.

I tilt my mouth against his and kiss him softly, then a little harder. He doesn't push me away. He groans slightly against my lips and kisses me back, and his hands find my hips...

Then his hands are on my shoulders instead, pushing me ever so slightly away.

"We can't, Madison," he says. "Please."

"Please what?"

"I'm asking you...not to tempt me like this," he says. "I'm not..."

I level my gaze with his, still so, so close to him. A wave of satisfaction rolls over me when I realize he's getting hard, his cock prodding between my legs. "You're not what?" I ask.

"I'm hanging on by a thread," he growls, his hands still on my shoulders. I can feel him giving in, and I want it. I want it so bad I can barely breathe. "Having you in my apartment last night, wearing my clothes...fuck, the things I wanted to do to you."

"Tell me," I breathe. "Show me."

We can't stop ourselves.

He kisses me again, his hands in my hair, tugging on the strands as his tongue invades my mouth. I give into him completely, inviting him in, grinding my hips against his and feeling how hard he's gotten just from this position, just from our conversation.

---