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“All right. We’ll talk next week.”

I half expect her to shrug me off. Until now, she’s acted like my decision doesn’t matter one way or the other to her. Instead, her face softens. “I hope so.”

When she turns the knob and twists out of the conference room, I don’t try to stop her.

I have a week to make up my mind. I already hate the thought of letting her out of my sight, though not as much as I hate the thought of her with Kyle. But I know where my thoughts are heading…

Chapter Five

Monday, November 13

* * *

It’s been an excruciating week since Nia and I have had anything that resembles a personal interaction. Every second sucked, but I’ve made up my mind. I know exactly what I’m going to say the minute I can get her alone.

I just wish I knew what she was thinking. No, feeling. Nia is sensible, but ultimately she leads with her heart.

Before I left town, I tried to see her again. She was always in a meeting or training some of the newer administrative assistants or on the phone. I tried to call her when I arrived in LA. We never connected. On Saturday night, I debated the wisdom of returning to the BBB Revue. But I was in no mood to watch Kyle put his hands on her and dry hump her like he’s never had a better thrill. I doubted I could have been responsible for my behavior.

So I waited, buried myself in work, digging into Lund’s reply to my counter, which provides hardly any additional money. It does give me a lot of assurances for my employees…just not enough. So it didn’t take me long to realize my answer is still a no. And that left me too much time to fixate on Nia.

What will she say when I tell her what I’ve decided?

I glance at the clock in my office. Five minutes until eight. She’s usually here by now. I’m anxious to talk to her. Eager for any chance to touch her. She’s consuming my brain.

“Morning.” She waves as she breezes past my office door on her way to her desk. Today she’s chosen to torment me with a camel-colored dress and black heels that show off her rich skin and feminine curves.

I want her. Now. I envision her in my office, spread across my desk, her sexy shoes on the arms of my executive chair as I make a meal of her body. She’s both vocal and a screamer, but for the chance to have her on my tongue—and on my cock—I’d find a way to make it work in the office.

For now, I swallow back need and nerves, and hope she doesn’t notice I’m hard for her. After waiting days for this moment, I’m nervous. I wipe my hands on my slacks. “Morning. Come in. Let’s talk.”

“No time,” she says as she deposits her purse and coffee on her desk, giving me a prime view of her unforgettable ass. Then she whirls to me with an apologetic expression. “Your first appointment is in two minutes.”

“Appointment?” When I looked an hour ago, my calendar was blessedly empty today.

She sighs in frustration. “Did the calendar not sync again? Sorry. You should have eight new invites for today, one at the top of every hour, minus an hour for lunch.”

“Who am I seeing?”

“Your candidates.”

“For what?”

Confusion knits her brows. “The candidates you asked me to find for your wife. Hang on…” She dashes back to her desk and opens a drawer, then pulls out a file folder and puts it in my outstretched hand. “I printed off the profiles and corresponding documentation for the women I ultimately chose for you to interview. These are the best of the best. The others…” She winces. “Let’s just say I laughed a lot compiling this list late Friday afternoon. If you’ll open the folder, the profiles are arranged in the order in which you’ll meet the candidates, just like the last few jobs you filled. It should all be straightforward. But let me know if you have any questions.”

Before I can ask if she’s serious, the phone at her desk rings. She answers promptly. “Nia Wright speaking.” A pause. “Excellent. Yes, please send her up.” Another pause. “Her visitor badge only needs to be active for an hour. In fact, all of the visitors I receive today will need the same access.” Another head bob. “Thanks.”

“Nia, when we talked about this, I asked for a candidate slate. I wanted to look at the list and choose. I didn’t ask you to set up a face-to-face with anyone. I never intended to interview potential wives in the office. I don’t know what Joy at the reception desk thinks is going on⁠—”

“I told all the candidates to indicate they’re party planners we’re considering for upcoming corporate events. Only you and I know the truth.”

“Thank you for the discretion, but I would have liked the chance to talk to you before interviewing these women. You asked me to think about what I want next between us, and I have. We need to discuss⁠—”

“And we will.” She nods. “I’m sorry if you’re not happy. I tried to take the initiative and start the process rolling since you said you were in a hurry to be married.”

“Call everyone and cancel.”

“I can’t. I arranged to have five of the candidates flown in just to meet you. I have their email addresses, of course. But I just realized I don’t have any of their phone numbers.” She tsks at herself as if she’s annoyed by her lapse. “I was so scattered on Friday. Sorry. I’ll be sure to ask for their full contact information when they arrive.”