Page 109 of Diego

“That would be more convincing if you hadn’t just shoved me against a wall and attacked me.”

“I did not shove you anywhere. You came very willingly.”

She scoffs, but can't disagree with me, so she chooses not to address it at all. Instead, she says, “The point is that if anyone finds out, nobody is going to assume this is uncomplicated. They are going to look at me and wonder whether I got the client because you wanted me, whether I kept the deal because you wanted me, and whether anything I accomplish at Meridian has anything to do with my actual work.”

I say nothing for a moment.

That I understand.

“You had the deal long before I kissed you,” I say quietly.

“And who's going to believe that?”

I step closer again, but this time I stop well before touching her. “Then we keep this separate until the sale closes.”

Blair’s eyes narrow. “There is no ‘this.’”

I smile. “That's where you're wrong, cara.”

“You’re impossible.”

“So I have been told.”

She exhales through her nose and looks toward the hallway again.

From somewhere deeper in the penthouse, Ricardo says something about temperature control in the wine room.

Blair straightens instantly. Professional again.

It is almost impressive how quickly she does it.

She adjusts the front of her vest, checks her hair with one hand, then gives me a look that promises consequences if I so much as breathe incorrectly once we rejoin the others.

“You have your wall today, Blair,” I whisper. “But once I've closed on this penthouse, you won't have any more excuses.”

Her eyes narrow. “I have plenty.”

I just continue as if she hasn't spoken. “Because I know”— I toy with the ends of her dark hair and feel her slight intake of breath—“that you're not done with me any more than I am with you.”

Her eyes, full of heat at my words, drop briefly to my hand before returning to my face. “You seem very sure of yourself.” Her words are a little breathy.

“I am.”

“That’s going to make disappointing you much more enjoyable.”

I smile and let her hair slip through my fingers. “Then I suppose we both have something to look forward to.”

Ricardo calls my name from the other room.

“Go inspect your wine, Diego.”

I step aside and gesture toward the door. “After you, Ms. Owens.”

Blair steps around me and walks out, heels clicking sharply against the floor.

I let her get several steps ahead of me before I follow.

Partly because Ricardo is waiting, and he might be suspicious if we walk out so close together.