“Curious.”
After a moment of silence, she relents and says, “Forty-five an hour.”
Now my eyes widen, and I fail at hiding my shock.
“That’s—wow. You live off that?”
She grits her teeth, scowling at me. “Don’t be rude.”
I hold up a hand. “Sorry, I’m just… never mind.” I shift in my seat, taking another sip before folding my hands together and placing them on the table. “I will offer you double that.”
“You’re kidding?” she gapes.
“Triple?”
Her jaw drops. “What?” she hisses.
“I suppose I could quadruple it, but that wouldn’t be a wise business decision. Still, if it’s what you need to survive, I can handle it.”
She shakes her head adamantly, waving a hand.
“You can’t pay me that much to… to… do whatever it is you want me to do. That’s insane.”
She’s so damn cute when she’s distressed.
I can only imagine how she sounds and looks when she comes.
I haven’t forgotten that she ran out of my house before I could return the favor, and I do plan on returning the favor. It’s going to be so much fun getting her to agree.
“I mean, I can. I’m the CEO of my company, so really, I can do whatever I want.”
Her mouth drops open again, and she stares at me for far too long before scoffing and going back to eating her muffin.
“There are other perks too,” I add. When she doesn’t acknowledge me, keeping her attention on her food, I continue. “Housing, a new car, cell phone, wardrobe—”
“You are insane,” she growls, still not looking at me. Her shoulders are bunched, body stiff.
I narrow my eyes, not understanding the issue. Why wouldn’t she jump at this offer? Any sane person would. “Why?”
She jerks her head up. “Why would you give me all those things?”
“Well, your car is one rainstorm from completely rusting out. I’d need you around 24/7 for work purposes, which is why you’d live with me. The cell ph—”
“Wait—live with you?” she blurts, then winces and looks around.
“Yes.”
Though, I’m notreallysure why. There isn’t a valid reason. Of course she could do that job by living on her own, but I had to shoot my shot while I could. I suppose it would be so I can keep an eye on her? You know, to make sure she isn’t sneaking out to meet any reporters in the middle of the night or anything like that.
“I can’t live with you,” she spits out.
“There’s plenty of room in my home. You saw it yourself.”
She scoffs, getting up from her chair. She crushes the empty muffin bag and picks up her coffee.
“Thank you for breakfast, Mr. Caldwell, but I have to get to work.” She steps away, but whirls back before getting too far. “And do me a favor and don’t follow me again. I don’t want what you’re offering me.”
She walks off, and though she tries to be sneaky, I catch the way she looks at me through the window as she walks by to get to her car.
