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“Yes, there is. I was out of line.”
“Aaron, I wanted it, too.”
“Don’t you get it? You can’t want this. You can’t ever want this.”
“Why?”
“Why?” he exclaimed. “I’m old enough to be your father. And your dad is my best friend.” He blew out a frustrated breath and rubbed his eyes. “If Bill found out about this, he would kill me, and our friendship would be over.”
His words fell over me like heavy stones dropping in water, weighing me down.
“No one would have to know,” I said after several moments.
He pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head. “I would know. This can’t happen.”
I felt the sting of tears, hating being rejected. I blinked, trying to keep my composure, but it was a losing battle.
“Oh, Princess, don’t cry,” he rasped, swiping his thumb over my cheek.
“You don’t want me?” I sniffled, staring blindly down at my hands. My self-esteem had already taken a blow tonight, and I couldn’t hide my vulnerability.
“Fuck,” he groaned. “You think I don’t want you?” He rose to his knees in front of me and held my face between his hands. “Look at me.”
I peered up at him, trying to keep from crying.
“I want you too much. So damn much. Do you see how my body reacts to you?”
I glanced down between us, and my eyes widened at seeing the prominent bulge of his erection. Oh, my God, he was huge.
“If you keep staring at me like that, I’m going to break my resolve.”
“Your resolve?” I licked my lips, and he groaned softly.
“Yes. My resolve to stay away. My willpower. I’ve always been known for having control of situations… until now.”
He did want me. Feigning a confidence I didn’t really have, I reached out and laid my palm on his chest. “Sometimes it’s good to lose control. It makes you feel alive.” Feeling bolder, I dragged my hand lower, down his tight abs until my fingers grazed the waistband of his briefs. Was I brave enough to touch him?
He gripped my hand tightly. “No.” His voice sounded ravaged. “Go to bed… now.”
“But—”
“Amber, leave. Leave my room,now.”
He wanted me, but he wouldn’t allow it to happen. “Okay,” I said finally. There was a part of me that wanted to push his boundaries. Test his resolve. However, seeing how tense he was and the heat radiating off of his body, maybe it wasn’t a good idea. I wasn’t too experienced when it came to sex, and he looked like a caged tiger that was ready to attack his prey.
I crawled over to the edge of his vast bed and climbed down. Reaching the door, I glanced back at him. “Goodnight, Aaron. Sweet dreams.”
“Amber,” he growled, smoothing a hand over his erection. “Lock your damn door.”
“Another successful event tonight. Thank you all for making this night special. Because of your support, we have raised over two million dollars so far, and the night’s not over.”
I raised my glass to the room and watched as everyone applauded. “Thank you. Please enjoy the great food and good music. And I wish you and your families a very blessed and happy holiday season.”
The event was a black tie affair and was held at the Anatole hotel. The ballroom was grand and decorated in extravagant holiday splendor. Twinkling holiday lights lit the room and live fir Christmas trees were sprinkled around the room, with a thirty-foot tree showcased in the middle of the room. My team who organized this event outdid themselves. Everything was impeccable.
I took a sip of my whisky, scanned the room, and frowned. Not everything was ideal for me. Amber was here, looking like a snow princess in a white silk gown, but she had pleasantly ignored me all evening. Not that I’d had a moment to myself to talk to her. And I damn sure didn’t need to be alone with her.
We’d seen each other in passing earlier, and she politely said hi before excusing herself to sit at her assigned table. Did I blame her? It was for the best to keep our distance.
