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“Control,” he says after a pause, holding my hand a little tighter. “I’ve always tried to maintain it. For the most part, I’ve been successful, but when you told me you were a virgin… it excited me. It made me want you more. It made me scared, honestly. I had to put my hands behind my back to stop myself from leaping at you.”
Confused tingles dance over me. I don’t get why my virginity would make him feel that way, but also, it’s not like I’mmadat him for wanting me.
He chuckles huskily. “I don’t have ananythingfetish.”
“You’ve never been attracted to a woman?”
“Not like this,” he says, staring down at me.
I look up at him, trying to detect any sign he’s lying.
“Why would you lie about this?” I murmur. “Motive, that’s the thing, isn’t it? It’s at the heart of everything in our profession, but I can’t figure out one for you, Jacob.”
“That’s because there isn’t one,” he says, kissing me again.
“Why would you want memorefor being inexperienced?”
He shifts, shrugging. “Maybe because I haven’t got much experience, either. I’ve never been much of a dater. I’ve always been focused on my work. It’s strange, considering our ages, but I feel like we’re going on this adventuretogether.”
I nod, understanding completely. “That was my question. Does our age gap bother you?”
“No. Does it bother you?”
I shake my head. “But people’s reactions scare me. If they ever saw us together… they’d assume I was a gold digger. They’d assume I’d somehow tricked you, and I’m only interested in your money.”
“What do you think they’d say about me?Look at that old pervert, using his money and position to get a woman half his age. It’s not like that. I wantyou, Maddie.”
As we talk, I have to keep reminding myself that we’re not speaking about forever. We’re talking about the kissing, the lust, and maybe dating one day. Nothing more.
“Sir, we’re here,” the driver says over the intercom as the car comes to a stop.
“The truth is how we feel abouteach other,” Jacob says, tucking hair behind my ear.
Then he lets me go, creating distance again. That’s right. The rules in this car don’t apply to the restaurant. For the rest of the evening, we have to pretend we’re nothing to each other. This is clear when we walk toward the entrance, Jacob keeping a few feet between us. Jacob is famous in the business world, but he’s not a celebrity, so we’re able to walk into the main lobby without drawing attention.
“I’m sorry, sir,” the host says when Jacob gives the name of the booking. “The other party hasn’t arrived yet. Would you like to wait at your table?”
To my shock, Jacob leans over to me, lowering his voice so only I can hear.
“I told you… our first proper date. Let’s enjoy it before Clarissa arrives.”
It’s dangerous, him being so close. Anybody could take a photo, but I smile and nod. I wonder if we could be the real thing after all.
CHAPTERFOURTEEN
Jacob
“She’s playing games with us,” I say, showing Maddie my phone.
She raises her hand as I guide the phone to her, as if to touch my wrist, but then she remembers we’re in public and lets her hand drop. Even so, this is riskier than what we were supposed to be doing. Without Clarissa here for us to question, anybody would think Madison and I were on a date.
Or, worse… They’d think we’re father and daughter. That thought sickens me right down to my core.
“She canceled,” Madison murmurs. “Not even last minute. Ten minutesafterwe were supposed to meet. Shall we leave?”
Madison’s finger moves around the rim of her cola glass as she speaks.
It would be the smart thing to do, getting out of here before the attraction becomes too much to handle. There’s also something perfect about being here together like we’re already a couple.
