Page 10 of Reputation (Tempt)

He furrowed his brow.

“You’re not the only person in her life,” I said. “She has her aunt and uncles. She has her cousin. She has Sophia and her family. And she has me.”

“But for how long?” he asked.

“That depends on you.” This was it. I was putting it all on the table. He could fire me for all I cared. “I adore Brooklyn, but I can’t live like this anymore. If things don’t change, I will request a new placement.”

He jerked his head back, clearly shocked. “What would it take for you to stay?” he finally asked. “Since I know it’s not more money.”

“You’re not going to like my answer.”

“Perhaps, but Brooklyn likes you. She trusts you.” He paused, turning more contemplative before he added, “And I need you now more than ever.” I wasn’t sure what that meant, but it definitely piqued my interest.

“I didn’t think you needed anyone,” I said. Least of all me.

“I appreciate you. I probably don’t tell you that enough.”

Enough?I wanted to laugh. He’dnevertold me that. And the timing felt a little too convenient, except for the fact that he seemed sincere.

“I do,” he said, perhaps sensing my surprise at his words. “And I know Brooklyn does too, especially when I can’t be here. Which brings me to something I’d like to discuss.” He shifted in his chair. “I’m considering a role in a film, but I can’t accept unless I know you’re on board.”

I frowned, shocked he’d even seek my approval. “Is it a long filming schedule or something?”

He shook his head. “Quite the opposite. But it could be disruptive, considering the location and the fact that I want to take her with me.”

“When?” I asked.

“Late December, after Christmas. We’d be gone for a few weeks.”

“Where?”

“Abu Dhabi.”

My eyes went wide. Oh my god. Was he going to?—

“Yes. The role is in the Meghan Hart adaptation.”Ahh. So that explained the books.“And since I don’t want to make Brooklyn’s life any more chaotic than necessary, I’d need you to come too.”

For a minute, my mind got stuck on the words “need you to come,” spoken in Nate’s rich voice. A myriad of fantasies threatened to play out in my head, but I quickly shut them down. Sleeping with my boss was out of the question.

Not that he was even remotely interested, at least if his disdain for me the past few months was anything to go on. Besides, the Hartwell Agency had a firm nonfraternization policy. Breaking that rule would have serious repercussions—at least for me. For Nate, it would probably only add to his allure.

I might love to push the boundaries, but even I had some lines I wouldn’t cross.

I didn’t want to be known as the girl who’d had sex with her famous boss. I wanted to be remembered for my accomplishments. My athletic career and…well…whatever the future might hold.

“Thorne?” he asked, using my last name as he often did.

“What?” I shook my head to clear it.

More like what the hell was wrong with me? Nate had been kicked off my celebrity fuck-it list months ago.

“Abu Dhabi?”

It was months away, but I knew it would be here sooner than I realized. This was my chance to establish new boundaries. To figure out a path forward with Nate. If that was whatIwanted.

Part of me wanted to tell him to go fuck himself. But a bigger part of me wanted to stay for Brooklyn. Oh, who was I kidding? I couldn’t leave her, no matter how deplorable Nate’s behavior had been.

“First,” I said, ticking off a finger, “I’m not changing my social media.”

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