She leans forward before pulling up the spreadsheet. It’s completely rearranged and color-coded. Everything looks far better than the bland and plain file I had before.
“I see,” I hum. “Looks great.”
“You have no idea what any of this is, do you?” She asks with a smirk.
“Not a clue,” I chuckle.
“Well…” she trails before sighing. “I’ve been thinking about your proposal.”
My heart thumps, but I keep my voice calm as I answer her. “You have?”
“Mhm.”
“And what do you think?” Is it possible for me to sound any more nervous? You would think I’ve never asked anyone to work for the syndicate before, but this isAddison. Her word could make or break me in seconds, and I’m not below dropping to my knees and begging.
“I think I would be an idiot to pass this opportunity up,” she replies, and my heart soars. “But, we need some ground rules.”
Ground rules?
I can’t think past waking up to her every morning. I haven’t felt this amazing since I was a kid, long before I startedmy training.
I school my features, putting on my best act as my brows furrow in concentration. “Okay. Lay them out.”
She turns to face me, and I feather light touches all over her—brushing her hair out of her face, tracing her jaw with a finger, and resting my hand on her propped knee. Not touching her is pure torture, and I’m tired of being selfless. I’ll be greedy with her until the day I fucking die, if my plans go accordingly.
Her lips twitch as she begins. “I don’t think I should live here.”
My hand twirling her hair stops as I scowl. “Why not?”
She gets a pensive look as she purses her lips. “Well…” She plays with her fingers in her lap, and I notice her hesitancy right away. As if our minds and bodies are in tune, I pick up on her cue.
“Are you nervous, Sunshine?” I ask gently. “Don’t be afraid to tell me what you’re thinking.Ever, Addison. I’ll hear you out.”
She slaps the tops of her thighs as if psyching herself up. “Okay, I just feel like it’ll be a conflict of interest, you know? I can’t live with my boss…”
“Sure, you can,” I shrug. “And I’m not just your boss.” I slowly close her hand around her throat before pulling her in for a slow, heated kiss that leaves us both nearly panting. “I’m your boyfriend too.”
Husband would sound much better, but I’m not trying to scare her. I’ve already let my crazy side slip enough, and if I want to keep her, I’m going to keep playing this by her rules.
She worries her bottom lip between her teeth as we pull away, and her eyes bounce between mine. “People will talk—”
“Those people have known me since I was a kid. I helped kill my own father. I think whether my finance consultant lives with me or not is the least of their worries, Sunshine.” I smile.
She motions to her chest with her hands, not relenting. “It’s a personal issue, then. What will my mom say?”
I hadn’t thought about that. Addison’s mom seemedeasy about the moving situation. I don’t think she’ll put up much of a fight over this.
“Did you want to tell her about the syndicate?” I ask.
She lifts her hand to her lip before I take it in mine and intertwine our fingers. Her shoulders slouch as she groans. “I don’t know. She’s going to freak out. She’s got enough anxiety to last two lifetimes over.”
I rub my thumb over hers, offering some comfort in this time. “Then let’s ease her into it. Has she answered your texts?”
“No,” Addison shakes her head, looking slightly panicked. “That’s what worries me. She’s never one to ignore me. I tried to call this morning, but no answer.”
Hmm.
That is strange.
