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He hung up the phone and put it back in his inside pocket. She’d never seen him in a suit before. Strange as it was, he definitely pulled it off.
She heard him inhale as his mouth opened. “I’m lost without you, Button. I don’t know how to make this work with you working against me.”
“It’s okay,” she said, folding her arms to ensure she’d keep her hands to herself. “I owe you an apology.”
That not only silenced him, he frowned too. “You do?” Something seemed to occur to him. “You already slept with Demetri?”
“No,” she said, shaking her head. “I walked away, and I shut down. This is new to me too. You’re new to me. I was offended by what you said, but like I said, maybe you’re right. Maybe I was considering a relationship because you can offer security. That’s seductive… especially for someone used to living paycheck to paycheck.”
“You didn’t like me trying to spend money on you just now with Topher.”
“Flowers?” she asked. “I wasn’t mad about the money; I’ve had boyfriends send me flowers before. I am upset you’d delegate me. Don’t ever delegate me. If I’m not worth a few minutes and a little effort, we shouldn’t even think about being friends, let alone anything else.”
“Hmm,” he said, wrapping his arms around her. “I see your point.”
Her forearms relaxed against him. “And if anyone should send flowers, I should send them to you. I don’t know what happened.”
“You doubted yourself,” he said. “I made a stupid joke in bad taste, and it hurt you. I hurt you. Again.”
“No,” she said, though the protest caught in her throat. “Maybe. All I’ve wanted to do this week is talk it through with you, but I wouldn’t let myself talk to you.”
“Why?”
“Because what if you’re right? I don’t want you anywhere near me if I’m a money hungry whore.”
“You’re definitely not.”
“How do you know? I showed up to your apartment in my underwear.”
“Baby,” he said. Crouching, his hands slithered lower on her back until he rested his nose in her hair to inhale her scent. “The money has come between me and every woman I’ve been with… You’re the first one I can’t be without… Tell me how to fix this.”
“Tell me why you’re here,” she said, tipping her head back to look up at him. “My work, Xander, really? You can’t play with me here.”
“You wanted to know Xander Gauge. This is what he knows. I know business. I needed an in and I know how to do this. Got your attention, didn’t it? You shut me out and I’m not easily dissuaded. If you look me in the eye now and tell me you never want to see me again, I’ll leave and never cross your path again. So… are we through, Button?”
The easiest thing would be to say yes. That would save both of them from riding the emotional rollercoaster.
“What are you doing here?”
“Northberg was in trouble,” he said. “That’s what I do.”
“You bought them?”
“I might,” he said. “I paid their Viva bill. Secured your job, baby. I don’t want to threaten your security, I want to ensure it.”
“Crean was talking about a new beginning. Paying one bill doesn’t save their company.”
“No, it doesn’t. They’re a mess.”
Her lips curled. “And you already have a dozen ideas of how to fix them.”
“Viva is my priority as long as you’re a part of it. If you want me to acquire Northberg—”
“You do what’s good for Seven.” She sighed. “But thank you. This is difficult for me, but I understand a leopard can’t change its spots.”
“Am I the leopard?”
“A wild animal I have no hope of taming? Yes, you are. You wanted to reach me and, like you said, this is what you know.”
