I needed to sit down and compose a proposal for the booth so Kain could see my plan.
A loud thump boomed from the ceiling, and I glanced up.
“They’re redoing the floors in the yoga and self-defense studios upstairs. Contractors are also updating the carpets on the apartment levels. You’ll be seeing workers coming and going.” Kain took my hand, leading me into his office. The plants I’d moved to the window were doing better now.
He pulled out a chair from his conference table, sat, and yanked me onto his lap.
“What are you doing?” I shrieked, trying to wriggle free, but his thick arm banded around my waist.
“Taking what I want.” A devious smile flashed. “You agreed to three hundred thousand dollars, didn’t you?” He gripped my chin, turning my face toward him. “Don’t tell me you’re backing out now. I’ll be pissed.”
“I was just kidding about the money, you oaf! Let me go!” I pushed at his arm, but he tickled me.
“You smell nice.” He leaned in, pressed his lips to the pulse on my neck, and nibbled. “I’m addicted. I can’t let you go.” He sucked on my skin, sending tingles all over me.
“There are people working here,” I muttered, but then I remembered our hot rendezvous in his training room.
“They’re busy working. No one will come into my office.” He dropped kisses to the column of my neck and the curveof my shoulder, dulling my defenses. “It’s locked. Don’t you remember what happened before?” He dragged an open mouth along my chin and came to my lips.
“Is this something you do often in your office and training rooms?”
“Not until you, gorgeous.” He captured my lower lip and sucked. “We’re branding my office with some late-afternoon nookie.”
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Eva
After dinner that evening, we stayed true to keeping our conversation hopeful. I snuggled into his arms on the couch, watching a nature documentary.
“So what’s the deal with three hundred thousand dollars?” he asked.
My heart thundered, wanting to share my dream with him. I shared only bits of it with my friends. If my grandfather knew, he’d give me his life’s savings, and I couldn’t do that.
“I’ve always wanted to open my own flower shop,” I began, and told him everything: Morgan’s offer, what it would cost me, and all the fears that came with an exciting venture.
“Don’t go to the bank,” Kain said. “You can borrow money from me. Interest-free. You can make monthly payments to me like you would to a bank.”
The offer sounded wonderful, but it didn’t sit well with me. What if my relationship with him failed? We’d hate eachother, and the financial situation could turn into a nightmare. I’d already seen what a divorce did to Morgan, and though I wasn’t married to Kain, I didn’t want the drama. Financial ties could complicate matters.
“Kain . . .”
“If you’re worried, I’ll have my lawyer draw up a contract, put things in black and white. You can make payments to an account he’ll set up.” He tipped up my chin. “If something happens between us—which it won’t—you’re protected. Okay?”
How did he know everything? Tears welled in my eyes, but I forced them to stop.
“Stop worrying about the financial details. The only thing keeping you from your dream is money, and I have plenty to share. Go after your dream, like I went after mine.” He kissed me. “And now I haveyou.”
I was his dream?
I looked at him to see honesty in his eyes.
Go for it.
How could I say no? He offered me the best deal I could ever imagine.
“Okay,” I breathed. “Have your lawyer draw something up. The contract will protect you too.”
My heart was so full it wanted to burst. I fell in love with Kain more and more every day. Not because he offered his financial support, but because he was the first man to confess I was his dream. He made me feel loved and safe from the very beginning.
