“Excuse me?Do you really want to start playing the blame game?I thought billionaires were smart enough to avoid things they have no chance of winning.”
“You’re right, lil stepsis.I shouldn’t have made it sound like I think you’re at fault,” I concede.
“Don’t call me that.You’re not listening at all, are you?”
“You haven’t said anything worth hearing.”
Her deep breath shifts her on my lap.I bite back a groan as her ass presses harder against my trapped cock.
“Fine, I’ll say it now in terms even blockheads like you can understand,” she grumbles.
She twists her torso, pushing her knees against the couch and digging her hip into my stomach to face me more fully.Her breast brushes against my arm and scrambles my brain until she sinks her nails deeper into my hand.
“Until I sign my new employment contract, our relationship will remain purely professional.No lap sitting.No nicknames.No touching.Nothing beyond a boss and employee relationship,” she demands.
I quirk a brow, shift my grip on the ice, and rub my thumb over her side, highlighting how easily I can thwart her attempts to evade me.
“Why should I deny myself when you’re right here?What do I get from this?”I ask.
“If you can prove you’re trustworthy, I’ll consider accepting you back into my life as my brother.Maybe even my friend,” she says.
“That’s not enough, Audrey.I don’t want to be just your friend, and I’ve never been your brother by blood,” I counter.
“And I told you I don’t want—”
I brush my thumb along the bottom swell of her breast and enjoy her sharp inhale and flushed, freckled cheeks.
“We’re negotiating, baby doll.Give and take.If I’m going to keep my hands off you, I need some incentive,” I murmur.
“Fine.If you can prove yourself over the next three months, I’ll consider dating you,” she concedes.
I note her choice of words and bite back a smile.She believes she can remain unaffected by me.She thinks a few rote dates and her rejection will deter me.
They won’t.I’ll win her trust, heart, and soul, no matter what it takes.
Even if it means using dirty, underhanded tactics.
I clear my throat and don the mask I use while facing old White men in the boardroom despite the tasty morsel perched on my lap.
“I have my own terms to add,” I say.
She swallows, releases my fist, and pushes my thumb off her breast before lifting a haughty brow in demand.I fight the urge to devour her mouth but can’t resist cupping the side of her face.
“Your safety comes first.Our agreement will continue even if I take ‘unprofessional’ actions to protect your wellbeing,” I say.
She quirks a brow and glances down at the ice pack.
“Not if you overreact like this,” she says.
“No, not like this,” I agree.“But if I find you bent over a conference table—”
She covers my mouth with her palm.My cheek throbs as she grazes my bruised flesh.The reminder of her slap centers us both.
“Stop!Just stop.Okay, fine, whatever,” she concedes.
Silly little baby doll agrees too easily.She doesn’t realize just how much leeway she gave me.I smile and nuzzle her palm.She stiffens and tries to pull away, but I cover her hand with mine and slide them to frame the side of my face.As I lean into her palm, I tighten my arm around her waist and dip my head closer to hers.
“Kiss me,” I murmur.
