Page 19
Nash’s expression hardens. “I left because I wanted to.”
“And I should have stopped you.” Nash opens his mouth, but I continue before he can argue. “I asked you to dinner and then stood there while Daniela walked into my office and gave you every reason to misunderstand the situation. I should have corrected it immediately. Instead, I let you leave.”
The humor disappears from his face as he watches me closely.
“I went looking for you afterward, but you were already gone. Then your resignation arrived.” I move closer, stopping when there’s barely enough room between us for him to pretend this conversation is only about work. “I had hours to think about what I should have done differently, and I’m not interested in repeating the experience.”
Nash’s chin lifts. “Meaning?”
“Meaning if you’re angry with me, be angry. Yell at me if that’s what you need to do, but don’t disappear before I have the chance to fix what I fucked up.”
For once, he doesn’t immediately answer. His eyes move over my face as if he’s trying to decide what to do with an admission he clearly wasn’t expecting. Eventually, that familiar spark returns. “And if I walk away anyway?”
I settle my hand on his hip and draw him closer. “Then I’ll come after you.” His eyes drop briefly to my mouth before returning to mine. “I made the mistake of letting you leave once today, Nash. Once was enough.”
Chapter 11 Nash
Well, fuck me sideways. Duncan in Daddy mode is sexy as hell, and I’m dangerously close to forgetting why I was pissed at him in the first place. Then the image of the woman in his office comes rushing back.
“What about your girlfriend?” I ask.
“Not my anything.” His hand settles on my hip, almost exactly where the guy on the dance floor had touched me. His thumb moves slowly over the spot as he holds my gaze.
“Then why did she act like she belonged there? You stood there and let me think she did.”
“She and I attended two galas. That was all.” Duncan runs his nose along my neck as his hand shifts to the small of my back, drawing me closer.
I want to give in to him, especially with his body pressed against mine and his mouth this close to my skin, but Daniela isn’t the only reason I’m having trouble believing any of this.
“You’re straight.”
Duncan pulls back enough to look at me, one dark eyebrow arching. “People spend too much time trying to put labels on everything. Why put one on me when I already know what I want?”
My breath catches. “And what do you want?”
“You.” There’s no hesitation in the answer, no sign that he’s questioning any of this.
“So you’ve never wanted a man before, and now you suddenly want me?”
The corner of his mouth twitches. “I felt the attraction when I first saw your picture from HR. That’s how I knew who you were in Ronan’s office that day. I just didn’t recognize it for what it was.”
I shake my head. “You’re unbelievable.”
“I don’t need a label, Nash.” He leans in until there’s barely any space between us. “I need you to believe me when I tell you I want you.”
“And if I do believe you,” I say, even though my nerves are going apeshit, “what happens then?”
Duncan studies me for a moment before one corner of his mouth lifts. “Then I spend my time making you mine.”
“You say that like I don’t get a vote.”
“You’ll have every opportunity to disagree.” His gaze moves over me. “But we both know you’re here for a reason.”
Damn him. I could argue just to be difficult, but we both know exactly why I came to a club on Daddy Night. Duncan steps away and crosses the room before settling into the oversized leather chair in the corner. My attention follows him, especially when he leans back and looks at me like he’s already decided what happens next.
“Strip, but leave on the panties.”
His voice is calm and commanding, and my hands are already reaching for the hem of my shirt before the brat in me can object. I could tell him exactly where he can shove his order, but where would be the fun in that when I can make him watch instead?
