Page 86 of Reputation (Tempt)

“Now, Bridget,” Nate said in a silky voice, charming as ever. “We agreed that all questions would avoid that phrasing.”

“I’m sorry.” She smiled, and it was clear she wasn’t sorry in the least. “It must have been from an old version of my notes. We’ll fix it in editing. When did you first realize you were attracted to Emerson?”

“Two years ago.”

I jerked my head back. “What?” And then I immediately regretted opening my mouth.

Bridget glanced between us with undisguised glee. “Please tell us more, Nate.”

“My brother?—”

“Knox Crawford, owner of the LA Leatherbacks,” Bridget confirmed.

“Yes. My brother, Knox, hosted a party on his yacht, and Emerson was there.”

I couldn’t believe he remembered that night. Rememberedme.

It was a night I’d never forget. The first time I’d met my celebrity crush in person. The first time I’d seen Nate up close.

“Do you remember this party?” Bridget asked me. I nodded, too shocked to speak.

“She was stunning,” Nate continued with a wistful smile. “And everyone was drawn to her.”

I was? They…were?Hewas?

“Based on Emerson’s reaction, I’m guessing nothing happened between the two of you at that party.”

I dipped my head, still trying to grapple with Nate’s statement. “No. I had no idea he was even attracted to me.”

Bridget laughed. “One of America’s hottest bachelor billionaires was too timid to make a move? That doesn’t sound like you, Nate. At least not if the rumors about your reputation are to be believed.”

“Typically, if I see something and I want it, I go after it,” Nate said, wisely ignoring the comment about his reputation. “But Emerson was different.”

“Why?”

He rubbed a hand over his jaw, one shocking revelation coming after the next. I wasn’t sure how much more I could take. I wasn’t sure how much longer I could pretend to feel nothing as soon as the cameras stopped filming and the lights were off.

“You know…” He shook his head. “I think I realized she was the type of woman who wanted commitment.”

“And you weren’t ready to give that.”

“Not at the time, no.”

Man, he was good. He’d been right to suggest we stick to the truth as much as possible. But I wondered just how much of this was true. Sure, I’d been at the party. But had he been attracted to me as he’d said?

Bridget kept pushing. “Let me make sure I have this straight. You were attracted to Emerson, but you hired her anyway. Is that why you hired her?”

“No,” Nate said in a firm tone that I assumed was meant both to reassure me and end that line of questioning. His attention was on me when he said, “I hired Em because she was the best person for the job. The best person for my daughter.”

“Mm.” I didn’t like the way Bridget appraised us. “I’m sure it wasn’t easy—deciding not to pursue her when she was sleeping just a few doors down.”

“I tried to avoid her as much as possible.”

I snorted then quickly lifted my hand to cover my mouth.

“What’s that, Emerson?” Bridget asked.

“Oh, um, I just…sneezed.” I snorted again for good measure. “Excuse me.”

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