those muscular arms over one another, an imposing king looking down at his citizens.
“Let me be clear, Evie. I want you in every way that matters.”
I blink stupidly with my glass aloft a few inches from my face.
He smirks as he leans forward, getting closer. The table seems minuscule with his large body hovering over it. He presses his hand flat against the wooden surface.
“I want you in my life. I want you as my work partner. I want you in my home, and I want your gorgeous body in my bed. Is that clear enough for you, Nizhoni?”
Every sentence has me jumping out of my skin ready to catapult myself into his arms. He’s saying everything I’ve ever dreamed of but none of it computes. I still can’t comprehend how the heck we came to this scenario where he wants me as a partner in his business, in his life and in his bed.
“Uh, yeah. Yep, that’s, yeah, that’s very specific. Very clear.” I stumble through my response and pound the last of the glass of wine as the server brings our plates and sets them down in front of us. “I’ll take another big glass of wine. Big. Huge! Please and thank you.”
Milo chuckles, unrolls his fork and knife from the napkin wrapped around it and sets the cloth to his lap. “Eat. You’re going to need it. We have much to discuss.”
* * *
I end up drinking my dinner. Glass after glass of wine I slosh down my gullet in order to avoid talking about anything of importance. It’s as though the second he said he wanted me in his bed, my entire IQ went out the window, my brain following along, skipping, while my libido stayed and got drunk and danced the Macarena, while the rest of me shut down.
Thankfully, Milo is a true gentleman and drove me home. Though I’m not quite sure what took place after that.
Flickers of minimemories flash along the surface of my mind as I slowly wake up.
Me holding on to Milo’s waist while he unlocked my door.
Him taking me into the bedroom.
Me grabbing him around the waist and pulling out his shirt, pressing my eager hands to the hot skin of his waist.
Him removing my clothes.
Me removing his shirt.
And that’s when everything goes black.
I sit up in bed and press my hand to my aching forehead. “Jesus, what happened last night?” I rub at the tension pounding against my noggin.
“You drank your weight in wine, Nizhoni,” comes the one voice in the entire world I do not want to hear.
I glance up and see Milo standing in a thin white ribbed tank top and his dress slacks. His feet are bare and crossed at the ankles. His beautiful hair is down around his shoulders blanketing the top of his upper body. He’s holding a blue ceramic mug that’s steaming. The scent of freshly brewed coffee fills the air.
“Milo, you’re still here?” I fling the covers back and hop out of bed, finding I’m a little shaky on my bare feet.
“Well, I couldn’t leave.”
I frown. “Why not?”
He grins. “For one, you’re wearing my shirt.” I look down and my heart starts to beat so hard I cover my chest with my hand. “For two, I would never leave you unsafe in an unlocked home, nor in your condition. I wanted to be close in case you needed me in the night.”
I run my hands down the length of my body and find I’m still wearing my bra and underwear but nothing else outside of his crimson-colored dress shirt...and even that’s only buttoned in the center. “Did we...?” I gesture to the bed and dip my head in shame.
That has him laughing heartily, a sight I watch in equal fascination and horror. Fascination because he’s absolutely magnificent when he laughs, full teeth showing, head tipped back, strong throat working, and horror because I truly cannot remember what happened after he undressed me.
“Milo, please. Did we?” I lick my lips and firm my spine, standing up straight with my shoulders pressed back, ready to be responsible for whatever my inebriated self did under the influence.
He presses off the doorjamb he was leaning against and sets his coffee on my dresser. His powerful frame moves forward and pulls me into his arms, both of them locking together around my waist. “My adinidiin, you amuse me.”
“What’s adinidiin mean?”
“‘My light.’” He smiles softly, staring at my face as if I am the very sun giving him