“Is there anything you can’t get in Paris?”
“Well, no…”
I sit across from her and take a tentative bite of eggs. I make a face. “I should stick to French fare.”
“Oh, they’re fine.”
I grimace. “They’re not fine. They’re hard and rubbery.”
“Here, let me.” She stands and goes to walk past me.
I want to reach for her and pull her to me. Give her a teasing smack to the ass. Cradle her in my lap and kiss the hell out of her. I clench my hands to keep myself in check. I don’t know how much longer I can do this. I want toplunderher. My need for her claws at my chest, ruthless and demanding.
“How long do you need to think about it?” I know I’m being pushy, but this matters to me.
There’s nothing to think about. You’re mine.
I love the way she looks in my kitchen, cracking eggs into a frying pan as if she belongs here.
“I really do need that money, and I think I’m a good judge of character.” She looks over her shoulder. “We have a deal.”
I swivel around in my chair to face her. My heart thunders. I hold myself back with effort and allow only the slightest hint of command to color my words. I don’t want to scare her away, not yet.
“Come here, Nicolette.”
I’m not imagining the way she holds her head up. The steady step as she walks toward me. The way my body heats when she approaches me.
“Yes?” she whispers, the very picture of seduction. I’ll take her right here, right now, over the side of this table—no.Not yet.
When she reaches me, I slide my hands across the small of her back. She feels small and petite, her soft, warm body molded to my hands.
The first time I touched her, when I ran my thumb across her skin, the intense, primal need to have her took root. Something deep inside me began to chant,mine, mine, MINE.It’s growing more insistent with every second I’m in her presence.
“Are you saying what I think you are?”
“You’re being polite, Fabien,” she whispers. “And let’s be honest. If you pay me as much as you say you will, I have no need to work here anymore. Correct?”
“Correct.”
“So then… we would no longer be boss and employee, would we?”
I shake my head.
“There are few things I have to offer you. I save every penny I’ve earned. You know I’m not asking for commitment. But you’re offering me such a large sum of money, it only makes sense I offer you what Icangive you in exchange. What I’m… well, what I’m good at.”
I cup her jaw. My voice is husky when I whisper, “Maybe we should see if we have chemistry first.”
“Chemistry,” she repeats with a slight nod.
I nod. “Chemistry.”
I guide her onto my lap so she straddles me.
The anticipation’s unbearable. My gaze falls to the inviting curve of her neck. Her luscious lips, gently parted. I move my hand from her jaw to her neck. I thread my fingers in her hair and guide her close to me.
“Good thing I brushed my teeth when I woke up,” she whispers.
“Same.” I flash her a smile and sweep my lips across hers so gently it’s only a whisper. I want to savor the anticipation. My eagerness and hers.
