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“I have a maxed-out credit card. Apartment rent I split with Tessa. At least one Starbucks trip a day. I want to say yes, but I don’t see me surviving without a paycheck.”
“I thought this might be an issue for you, so I have a proposal. First off, tonight, I instructed Jared to direct deposit ten thousand dollars into your account for professional services rendered with an added bonus.”
“Lucas,” I interjected. “That sum is pure insanity. Nannies don’t make that kind of money in New York City.”
“You dropped everything in your life to help me out in an emergency. Plus, you showed me how to open my heart to my child. I probably owe you way more than what I’m paying. Consider it a bargain.”
Lucas and I resided in two different universes. Ten thousand dollars to me was like ten dollars to him.
“That kind of money will last me a long time, but not forever. And who will take care of Esmé at night?” My stomach rolled as different scenarios spun in my head, all of them taking me farther away from saying yes and being with Lucas.
“I have something top secret to tell you.” Lucas leaned forward in his chair, his voice lowering as he spoke. “Using the information is considered insider trading.”
“I’m a vault.” I crossed my heart and pretended to zip my lips.
Lucas laughed at my gestures. “I guess you’re worth the gamble. After Friday, I’ll no longer be working at Iron Gate.”
“What are you talking about?”
“My father wants to sell the company, but I’ve blocked him. I’m making a deal with him so we both get what we want.”
I wondered what Lucas got in the bargain with his father. He didn’t expand on it either.
“So I’ll be able to take care of my daughter when you’re not there. Together, we can even find someone to help out on the weekends. We can reevaluate everything in two weeks. Call it a trial situation.”
He waited for my response as I mulled over my options, which in the end were only two: walk out the door, parting ways with Lucas and Esmé, or stay with him and follow my heart.
“Of course, Peaches will help you, because Maggie just quit.” Lucas exhaled deeply, shoulders relaxing, lips curving upward.
“You had me worried.” Lucas stood up from his chair, rounding the table, and held out his hand. “Dance with me.” His blue eyes turned the color of midnight.
I took his hand, and in an instant, he pulled me toward him, wrapping me tightly in his arms. I laid my ear on his chest, hearing the comforting sounds of his steady heartbeat. For the first time in New York City, I found a place where I belonged.
33
Lucas
I’d fantasized about holding Maggie for weeks, craving the feel of wrapping my arms around her, but what I imagined didn’t come close to the reality. She was warm and soft, her petite form molding perfectly to mine. Her cheek rested against my heart, and for the first time, I wanted to share it with a woman—not any woman, but this woman. Something I’d never felt in my life. I wanted to give her anything she desired, but most of all, I wanted to make her mine.
The bass vibrated through the air. We swayed to the rhythm until she glanced up at me with dreamy eyes.
“Oh, Maggie,” I moaned.
She tipped her head back, licking her lips in an invitation, one I couldn’t deny. I grabbed her hair in my fist, pulling it gently, descending toward her to take what was mine.
When our lips met, our kiss didn’t build into something passionate. Instead, we burst at the first touch, lips pressing, teeth nipping, tongues talking in their own language, asking for more. I drew her tighter into me, wildly clinging to her. I was practically wearing her as my skin.
“Lucas, I want you now.”
Maggie pressed her stomach against my erection, making me hiss at the pressure. Her body, her smell, and tiny moans were driving me mad. I itched to touch every hidden part of her, lose myself inside her, but a quick fuck in a VIP room wasn’t going to work. Once I started, I wouldn’t be finished for hours.
“I booked a room for the night.” She pulled back and squinted at me, a mischievous grin on her face.
“When did you have time for that?” she asked.
“I called on the drive over. The manager was waiting in the lobby with the keycard.”
“What if I didn’t come up here? Or I had left…well, with my date?”
“There was no escaping me tonight. I was the hunter. You were my prey.” I growled like a crazed man, trailing kisses from her lips to the soft place behind her ear. She melted against me with a throaty sigh. I’d found her first erogenous zone, with many more to hopefully follow.
