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She bit her bottom lip and looked up at him. A flash of guilt went through her. It felt like she was using him. She wasn’t looking for love. She’d given up on that notion a long time ago. But, she had agreed to four dates in order to get Lydia’s apartment. If she wanted that place, she was going to have to follow this through.
They were just four, innocent dates.
“Sure.”
Part of her thrilled at the prospect of going out with Michael Knight again. A girl would have to be crazy not to. She tried to hush the unbidden thoughts, but they wouldn’t die. Traitors.
“Good night, Emily Sevenson.” He grabbed her hand and pressed a warm kiss to the top of it. “Until we meet again.”
A bolt of hot, liquid pleasure shot through her and her knees became weak.
There it was, the first sign of fatal attraction for her. Except, she’d always been attracted to jerks. How was she supposed to know for sure if Michael Knight was the exception to the rule?
“You, too.” She stumbled backwards and tried to maintain her cool. He tilted his head to one side and a slow smile crept on his face, as if he knew exactly how his touch had affected her. She tucked her loose curls behind her ears and gave him a wimpy wave. “Good night.”
She had to force herself not to run away, all the while knowing that his gaze was following her down the block.
?
Michael waltzed into Smithy’s office the next morning whistling a tune he’d picked up somewhere. Although most of the staff were out for the weekend, Smithy’s office light was on. He entered without announcing himself and settled into the leather chair.
“Dude, what’s with you?” Smithy wheeled around in his chair to regard him with a teasing smile. “You look like the cat who swallowed the canary.”
He ran his tongue over his teeth, attempting to dispel any hint of a smile. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“Yes, you do.” Smithy dropped his elbows to the desk and rested his chin in his hands, widening his eyes like a child. “Spill. What’s her name? And more importantly, does she have a sister for me?”
He rolled his eyes. There were many people who couldn’t see past his rigid demeanor, but Smithy had a way of decoding his every move. It must’ve been the computer geek in him.
“If you’re talking about my first date with Sevenson Selective, her name is Emily. And she’s an only child.”
The date had been a surprising one. He’d enjoyed the casual dance in the park and Emily’s questions. She had a sense of humor that kept him chuckling. For some reason, he hadn’t been able to stomach the idea of letting go of her hand. He’d danced with her through several songs, more than what was probably proper.
However, it wasn’t until he grabbed her hand to kiss goodbye that he felt that first bolt of electricity pass between them. He didn’t know what that meant, but he was already looking forward to their next date.
“Well, I’m glad someone is getting something positive out of all this mess.” Smithy waved his hands over his chaotic desk and sighed. “I feel like I’m getting nowhere with all these changes. It just doesn’t seem to be clicking.”
“You’re going to figure it out,” Michael said, leaning forward, his game face back on. “I know you, Smithy. You’ve got the best work ethic anyone could ask for and the brains to match. You’ll hit a breakthrough soon.”
“And hopefully, before your father pulls the rug out from under us.” He ran a hand through his unruly curly hair.
“Let me worry about my father,” Michael said, his lips pressing into a frown. “You just keep working. We’ll get there.”
He stood up to leave. If he knew anything about Smithy, it was that during times of frustration like this, all he needed was a little quiet to work things through that maze of a mind of his. He’d figure out how to turn that app into a real winner. All he needed was time.
“Dude, don’t forget.” Smithy threw a crumpled piece of paper at his back and grinned. “If you like the girl, don’t be afraid to spoil her. Goodness knows you’ve got the cash. It sounds like she’s worth it.”
Michael paused in the doorway. He wasn’t one to show off his billions. His car was the only exception he made to that policy. Still, Emily Sevenson didn’t seem like the kind of girl who would take a fancy date like that for granted. Maybe he could bend the rules for her.
Their time together was limited. As much as it pained him, he couldn’t go on with this act forever. He was using her and that thought made his stomach churn with self-loathing. But he had to do what it took to help Smithy succeed. Even if that meant lying to Emily.
Eventually, she’d put the pieces together about his company and their newest dating app. But that didn’t mean he couldn’t treat her in the meantime. It could soften the blow when she found out the truth.
“I suppose you’re right,” he said with a grin. “Time to fire up the helicopter.”
“Rich boys have all the luck,” Smithy muttered under his breath. Humor twinkled in his eyes. “If I had a private helicopter instead of a van, I might be able to keep a girl around for a second date, too.”
“Feel free to borrow it anytime,” Michael called as he walked down the hall. He laughed when he heard Smithy cheer.
