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He nodded. ‘Then I’ll make it fast. Pantelides Inc. has been through a lot in the past few years. I don’t wish to draw any more unwanted attention to the company.’ He went to the desk and picked up a pad and pen.
‘Write your account details on here. I’ll have funds transferred to your account first thing in the morning.’
The pain she’d been holding in a tight ball since she got up from his bed burst into her chest. ‘Excuse me?’ she rasped.
‘I’m not unsympathetic to the fact that your husband left you in dire straits. I’m trying to make some form of reparation,’ he replied, his voice still devoid of emotion.
‘By sleeping with me and immediately offering me money afterwards?’ Her own voice was sickeningly shaky and pain-filled but she didn’t shy away from it. She wanted Arion Pantelides to know exactly what she thought of him. ‘Why don’t you come right out and book me for a repeat performance next Tuesday?’
His jaw tightened. ‘What happened tonight won’t happen again.’
‘Hallelujah! Finally, something we both agree on. I thought you were pretty vile to accuse me of the things you accused me of before. But this...this is a new low.’
His grip tightened around the pad until it buckled beneath his strength. His gaze lowered but the rigid determination in his face didn’t abate. ‘Okay, perhaps the timing is unfortunate—’
‘You think?’ she snapped.
‘But the offer remains. It’s your choice whether to accept it or decline.’
‘You can shove your offer where the sun doesn’t shine!’ She stalked past him to where she’d dropped her bag what felt like a thousand years ago. Snatching it up, she marched to the lift and pressed the button. Nothing happened. She stabbed harder, feeling her chin wobble with impending tears.
Dear God, no! No way was she going to cry in front of him.
‘You need this.’
She turned. He was holding up the triangular card he’d given her earlier. She went to snatch it from him but he pulled it back at the last second.
‘Perla—’
‘No, don’t say my name. You lost the right to speak to me when you offered me money for sleeping with you, you disgusting bastard.’
‘Stop and think for a moment. The two situations have nothing to do with one another. You’re being melodramatic again.’
‘And you’re being a complete ass who is holding me here against my will.’
‘Think rationally. It’s almost midnight. You’re putting yourself in danger by attempting to return home at this time of night.’
‘After everything you’ve said to me, you expect me to believe my safety concerns you?’ She gave a very unladylike snort and glanced pointedly at the lift.
‘Perla—’
‘The only thing I want from you is to make the lift work, Ari. I want to leave. Right now.’
He sighed, and again she heard that weariness in his voice. ‘I may not be a gentleman but I’m not averse to being schooled.’
She frowned when she realised he wasn’t mocking her. He really meant it.
Turning, she faced him fully. ‘First off, I wouldn’t force a woman who wants to leave to stay against her will.’
He nodded, came forward and offered her the card. She took it.
‘Second, don’t ever, ever try to give a woman you’ve just slept with money. No matter your intention, it comes off as super sleazy.’
Hazel eyes gleamed before his eyelids veiled his expression. ‘But your situation still needs to be addressed.’
‘It’s my problem. I’ll take care of it.’
He took a deep breath and she couldn’t stop her eyes from devouring the sculpted chest that rose and fell. ‘What were your skills before you gave up your career?’
The out-of-the-blue question threw her for a moment. Then she cleared her throat and tore her gaze away from the golden perfection of his skin. ‘I was an events organiser for a global conglomerate.’ She named her previous employer and his eyes widened a touch.
The fact that she’d managed to impress Arion Pantelides sent a fizz of pleasure through her.
‘I’m leaving for LA in the morning but Pantelides Luxe has been on a recruitment drive for the last six weeks.’ He scribbled a name and number on the mangled pad and passed it to her. ‘If you’re interested in interviewing for a job, call this number and speak to my head of HR.’
Unsure how to take the offer, she stared at him. ‘Why are you doing this?’ she finally blurted.
