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He opens the door and I climb inside.
“Thank you, Hanson,” Dane says as he follows. When the door closes behind him, he reaches for champagne cupboard and pours two flutes without asking. When he hands one to me, I clink mine against his.
“To finding you again,” Dane growls. “I was going crazy thinking about you.”
I swallow nervously and lick my lips. “I was thinking about you, too,” I admit softly. Tell him, Allie! I order myself. Now is the perfect time. Secrets like this are too big to keep to yourself.
But the moment passes and I can’t force the words to come. Besides, what would I tell him, anyway? That my father has an interest in his company? So what? That’s probably every professional male looking to make it rich. Besides, I don’t think my father is a malicious person. I hope not, at least. He’s always played it clean as far as I know, and there’s been no trouble from the IRS or the Feds. Plus, he is my father. Family comes first, and I know that I always have to be loyal to my parents. They did raise me, after all.
A strange feeling settles over me as the limo begins to move forward.
“You’re being quiet,” Dane says. He reaches over and strokes my shoulder. “What are you thinking about?”
“Nothing,” I lie. “But you should probably take me home.”
Dane raises an eyebrow. “You’re welcome to spend the night with me,” he says. “I have a condo in Manhattan.” He cocks his head to the side and smirks. “We could get breakfast tomorrow. Or, if you prefer, stay in bed. My chef makes a mean eggs benedict.”
“That does sound good,” I admit. It’s strange – I can’t believe Dane is actually encouraging me to eat. It’s not something that I’m used to hearing, especially from adults.
“So, stay with me,” Dane says. He drains his champagne and refills his glass from the bottle. When he looks at me again, there’s a wicked sparkle in his eye that makes me shiver.
“I can’t,” I reply quietly. “I live with my parents. They’d be really mad at me if I didn’t come home.”
Dane frowns. “Call them,” he says. He holds up his new iPhone. “Use mine, I don’t care.”
My stomach twists into knots and I shake my head. “I wish I could,” I tell him honestly. “But my dad is really strict. He’d kill me if I stayed out all night.”
Dane chuckles. “You’re twenty years old,” he says. “You’re an adult, Allie. Why not move out on your own?”
I flush. “I can’t,” I whisper. “Not until I’m done with school, at least.”
Dane frowns. “So, when can I see you again then? Tell me.”
“I can’t,” I say softly, feeling like a broken record. “I’m sorry,” I add in a desperate voice. “I really am.”
“Why not?” Dane leans back and crosses his arms over his chest. “I want to see you again, Allie.”
His words send chills down my spine. “Dane, I’m sorry, I just can’t.” I swallow nervously. “I’m still a student! We don’t have anything in common,” I add. My resistance is melting by the second, but I know that I have to stand firm.
There is no way this can continue.
I can’t betray my father. And a man like Dane Andersen will get bored with me in approximately two point five seconds. There’s no way I can hold t
he interest of a gorgeous billionaire like him – I can’t even get a boyfriend my own age, how the heck could I prove an interesting girlfriend for the man who could literally buy the world if he wanted?
Dane’s gaze is flinty and hard. “I’m not used to hearing ‘no,’” he says. “I’m a man who gets what he wants.”
Dane’s words fill me with a dangerous hope. Does he actually like me? Or, like he said, does he just want the thrill of chasing a girl who doesn’t throw herself at his money?
“Please, just take me home,” I whisper softly. I can hardly meet Dane’s eyes as I give him the address of my parents’ mansion.
Dane doesn’t reply, but he leans forward and raps on the solid partition. “We’ll be dropping Miss Carter off at her home,” he says coldly. As he relays my address to Hanson, I sink back into the rich leather seat of the Town Car.
I can’t keep seeing Dane. I know it’s going to end badly, and that I’m going to get hurt. If I’m already this obsessed with him after only two meetings, imagine how much of a goner I’ll be if we actually start dating. But it wouldn’t end well because I know I’m not good enough to hold his attention. I’m too young and hopelessly naïve for a cultured, educated, powerful man like Dane.
So by refusing to see him again, I’m doing the right thing. Protecting myself in the long run. The problem is … why does it hurt so damn much?
Chapter Eight
