After patting his hand, she offered a reassuring smile. “You’re pissed over this. So are they. They want the money, like, yesterday. You didn’t give in to their demand. Keep in mind, they didn’t follow through on their threat to expose you as an operative.”
“True.” She had a valid point.
“And they didn’t go public with that photo of you on a mission.”
Another valid point.
“Then, they tried to take the money, and they failed there, as well.” Pushing out of the chair, she paused to stretch.
Jesus, she’s killing me. He had to admire the view. So, he checked out her breasts…and her ass…and every other body part available for his viewing pleasure. When she finished, she leaned her backside against the conference table, gripped the edge, and peered down at him.
“Hey,” she said.
Dammit, I need to kiss her.Leaning back, he stared into her eyes. He was trying to be a damn professional and a gentleman. And he hated himself for it. Because he wanted to strip her bare and take her on his conference table.
He didn’t screw his business partners. Never had. Wasn’t starting now.
“Ignoring them sends a stronger message,” she continued.
“Right,” he bit out.
“You want to call it?”
“What I want isyou, in my bed.”
Fuck me.His mouth had taken off, unfiltered by his brain.
Her pupils blackened, her lips parted. But she did not break. “Well, you can’t have me.” Her eyebrow hitched and she gripped her hip. “I get that things are getting worse, not better, but screwing isn’t going to fix anything.”
“Like hell it won’t. Fucking fixeseverything.”
Her laugh was deep and sexy, but the expression on her face reminded him why he found her so damn breathtaking. The flash of lust in her eyes told him how she really felt. Shewantedto be in his bed.
“Promise me, no matter how many more texts you receive, you won’t respond.”
His phone rang.Dammit, why all the interruptions?It was Mrs. Morris. He answered. “Everything okay?”
“Sammy is starving, but she won’t let me put the pizzas in the oven until she knows you’re on your way home. What’s your ETA?”
Dakota flicked his gaze to Providence. “Twenty.”
“Great.” Mrs. Morris hung up and Dakota pushed out of the chair.
Now, they stood inches apart, Providence’s beautiful scent filling his lungs. Desire kicked up another notch until the passion whirled around them.
“I won’t respond to this text or any other, under one condition,” Dakota said.
Up went her eyebrows. “I don’t think you’re in a position to negotiate with me, but go ahead, make your case.”
In the past three and a half years, he’d never brought a woman home. Not once. He’d never introduced Sammy to anyone, but Providence was different from anyone he’d ever met. His gut told him to take that leap and invite her home with him.
“Have pizza with me tonight.”
“Pizza? You sure do know how to entice a gal.” She studied him for a few seconds. “Fine, whatever.”
Dakota waited until the warehouse garage door closed behind them before taking off. “I need you to use these.” He handed her a pair of binos from under his seat. “Make sure we aren’t being followed.”
15
