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The dark brown pools.
Full of hope?
His gaze is soft, his hooded eyes filled with reverence. Or lunacy. This can’t be happening. I must still be sleeping. I just can’t decide if I’m in a dream or a nightmare.
I inhale a shaky breath and try to lighten up the intensity of this morning. “Usually proposals come with a ring, not paperwork.” My words float on a trembling breeze, filling the space between us with awkwardness.
“I blindsided you again, sorry.” He kisses my forehead. “Have a look and let’s talk.” He pushes the folder to me.
I stare at the bright yellow folder as if it was laced with anthrax. It might as well be. Is this a prenup? Is he serious right now? Do I want to become Mrs. Cassinetti?
Jesus. Two weeks of dating. Okay, I’ve known him longer, and we got close in California. I enjoy spending time with him. I can see myself by his side in the future, but…
I snatch the folder from him and Gio sits back. I slide from his desk, hating that my ass is bare. I round it to sit down on the chair across from him, my arousal-soaked thighs sinking into the soft upholstery.
My vision blurs with tears that I’m trying to push away. My heart beats erratically, and my mind… oh, my poor mind wanders around aimlessly.
I can’t accept this proposal, because that’s not a story we can tell our grandchildren.That’s just one useless thought as I try to tear the rest of them out of my clouded brain.
Flipping through the contents of the folder, I try and fail to refocus. Then my eye catches a name I recognize, and the spiral of confusion somehow, unexpectedly clears the fog, the words forming sentences. The sentences making sense, but with every word I read, I’m more perplexed.
“This is an acquisition contract. You’re buying an event planning and social media outreach company. I’ve heard of them. They are good, the best in the market. I guess it’s a good investment, but—”
He smiles, and the contrast between my rigid posture and his relaxed one pisses me off. The king in his court. Am I expected to bow?
As if he can read my thoughts, something unexpected flickers through his expression. If I didn’t know him, I would think a moment of regret or fear just grabbed him. It’s immediately replaced with the annoyance that’s so well set in his pores he can’t probably ever wash it out.
“Look at the next document.” He gestures toward my lap where the damn yellow portfolio rests, scarring my fingertips.
I don’t even know why I indulge him. “This is a title change to transfer the company to… me?”
“We both know you can’t work for me. I don’t want this relationship to be a dirty little secret, but I don’t want to get you into a situation when you’ll be scrambling for a job again. You mentioned this would be something you wanted to achieve, and I told you I’d fix our problem.” He rolls closer to the desk and clasps his hands in front of him. This is his boardroom posture. Is this a business deal?
My eyes widen and my heart can’t decide if it’s beating with joy or horror. This is the most fucked-up and yet somewhat strangely caring and romantically twisted solution.
“So you bought a company?”
“Yes.”
“And you will just give me the company?”
“Yes.”
“That’s your solution to the fraternization policy?”
A flash of irritation crosses his face, the habit too strong, but he fights it and smiles.
“Princess, I enjoy your company very much. Isn’t the firm what you want? It’s established, and you can take it and enjoy the profits, grow it, or whatever you want. It will also help you support your family better. All your problems solved. I need someone by my side, and I’ve come to believe you’re the perfect candidate.”
The folder burns my hands with its content, with Gio’s cynical attitude, with the manipulation, and everything I shed in California when I finally picked up my dignity and left Brian. I drop it on Gio’s desk and stand up.
“I’m the perfectcandidate? Is this thing between us just another acquisition for you? You can’t buy me. I’m pleasant-enough company and a good-enough lay, so you’re upgrading my contract? Paying me off?”
“Mila—” He stands up and his chairs rolls and hits the window with a loud thud. “Don’t you fucking degrade what we have!”
“I’mdegrading it? Are you for real? You know what? Fuck you. Go back to your arm candy dates. That’s who you deserve. And keep your fucking company.”
I storm to the door and fling it open. It bangs against the wall, the entire house reverberating with the sound.
