“I do have another separate offer from this one if you’re interested.”
“Nope.” She pulled the money from his grip and stuffed it into the back of her jeans. “Tell Enzo to let me know what my schedule will be for the next three months and I’ll be here.” She turned for the door, but looked back over her shoulder. “By the way, I have a day job.”
“Enzo told me you need money. I have a way to help you.”
“I won’t sleep with you or anyone else to earn money.” She turned around to leave, and he jumped out of his seat and stopped her from opening the door. He had seen interest flash across her face, when she mentioned not sleeping with him and also in the middle of their conversation on the floor. He had her caged in between his arms. She backed up into his erection, and he sensed her stiffen.
“Are you going to take the money away from me?”
“No. I want to help you earn more.” He moved closer to her body, and she inched forward as close as she could to the door with her bag in the way.
“And I said, I’m not interested.” Her voice hitched.
“Come on, don’t be like that. I know you feel this between us.” He dipped his head. Her ponytail tickled his nose. “I’m not the only one.” He wanted her to admit that she experienced something too. He didn’t believe in love at first sight. That was only in the movies. Lust was a given, but there was something in the way she spoke to him. The fact that she didn’t know he was a Bianchi.
He didn’t think it was an act.
“Even if there was something, it doesn’t mean we have to act on it.” Her voice was throaty.
“So you admit that you feel this?”
She turned her head, and desire was there in her eyes. “I didn’t say that.”
“Let’s make a bet—”
She shook her head. “No need to. I’m not interested in your challenge.”
“You scared?”
“Peer pressure doesn’t touch me. I don’t need to prove anything.” She turned her head to face the door.
“One kiss.”
“No.” She let out a huff. “Can I go now?”
“You know you’re real difficult. You don’t have to make everything so hard.”
“If I didn’t make things hard, we wouldn’t be here.”
Dante couldn’t stop the laugh. She had jokes. It made him want to find out more, which was dangerous. He didn’t care. He should let her go. He leaned in more and caught her scent of cinnamon and honey and spice.
He hardened even more if that was possible.
“You’re not going to let me go are you?”
“All I ask for is a kiss. You say no and I back off.” She turned to look at him over her shoulder again.
“One kiss?”
He whispered in her ear. “One kiss.”
She shivered. “And then I can leave? You won’t try to do more?”
“I won’t do any more than what you ask me to do.”
“That won’t be a problem.” She turned around in his arms.
****
