Page 27 of Hidden With You

“Sorry. It’s only me.”

She smiled, so wide and genuine that it felt as welcoming as a cool breeze.

“No. I’m glad to see you. I like the company, which is totally weird for me. But since this whole thing started, I don’t feel safe in my own skin anymore.”

His heart twisted, hating that he had no magic cure for her. “I’m sorry about that. It’s not an uncommon reaction, but I am sorry.”

She shrugged. “Thanks.”

She was stretched out on the couch, her laptop nestled on the tray in front of her. “Are you working? Should I go into my room?”

“No. It’s fine. And sorry about your room. It’s tiny.”

“Don’t worry. I’m very adaptable.”

“Well, my room’s quite large, and you know there’s always an open offer...”

He laughed, but his voice was firm. “I’m here to do a job, remember? And it’s going to be easier if we don’t tease each other about things that aren’t going to happen.”

“Maybe I still want them to happen.”

He moved closer and leaned against the arm of the couch by her feet. “Did anyone ever tell you you’re very forward?”

“Actually yes. Is that a problem?”

He couldn’t help but laugh. “Not at all. So long as you’re good at managing disappointment. Some children aren’t.”

She stared up at him, her brows rising. “Them’s fighting words.” She started to pull her T-shirt up, then paused to meet his eyes. “Want me to prove just how adult I am?”

Desperately.“No. That’s definitely not needed. I’ve read your dossier.”

“Oh really?” She put her computer on the ground and pulled her knees up, freeing the cushion for him to sit. “Do tell all. I’m dying to know all about myself.”

He chuckled, then sat before rattling off her biography. As he did, she stretched out again, her feet on his thighs.

“Wow, that sort of proves my point, though, don’t you think? I can’t possibly be only twenty-four. If I’ve done all that, I must be closer to thirty.” She teased her foot down until her toes brushed his cock. “Wanna fuck a thirty-year-old?”

“You are incorrigible,” he said, frustrated that his cock was clearly not onboard with the no-fooling-around rule.

“Is that what you call it? I usually just say horny.”

He fought not to laugh. “You’re saying that your age doesn’t matter at all?”

She shrugged. “Well, it gets me press. Which helps get sales. So I guess that’s good.”

“I meant here,” he admitted. “Right now.”

For a moment, she looked confused. Then she bit her lower lip, giving her a sultry expression that really did make her look even older than her years. “That’s what I’ve been saying all along. I’m not too young at all. In fact, I hope you like older women.”

He cringed, realizing his mistake too late. “Whoa, slow down. I thought we’d already burned that bridge. I meant the threats. Is it a vendetta specifically based on your age? On what you’ve accomplished so young?”

She threw her head back and groaned, then withdrew her feet. She sat up, tucking them under her. “Fine, we’ll talk work. But I’m not dropping this. You brought it back up.”

“No, I didn’t. I—shit.” He drew in a breath. “Why are you pushing so hard?”

She pressed her lips together, then shrugged. “I like to get what I want.”

“And I deny myself a lot of things I want,” he countered. “It’s partly why I’m in good enough shape to protect you. I deny myself a lot of ice cream and candy. And cheesecake. I love cheesecake. But I don’t eat a lot of it.”