wanted me to stay here, with him. And not just because he thought it was the right thing to do.
“Thanks,” I said as finally he let go of my bag.
“You’re welcome.”
We both stood there for a second, just looking at each other. It was weird, because nothing had happened to make me feel connected to him, except that I’d seen him get angry. And I couldn’t explain it, but somehow, I wanted to take his pain away.
That invisible pull I’d felt toward him earlier, when I was dancing for him, and again back at his apartment, returned, stronger than ever. But now it wasn’t the pull of lust – now it was something else, something deeper.
You have to help him.
“Colt – ” I started, my voice soft. I wanted to tell him it was going to be okay, that whatever was going on would end up fine in the end. I wasn’t sure I believed that – the whole it’s going to be okay in the end bullshit that some people liked to spew. But I needed to say something.
“Good luck, Princess,” Colt said, cutting me off. That playful little lilt was back in his voice, whatever vulnerability I’d seen had replaced with his usual cockiness. He reached his hand out for me to shake.
I took it, his hand enveloping mine, big and strong and warm. My breath hitched in my chest, and I could hear the blood rushing through my ears. My body was on alert again, that connection I’d felt with him thrumming in the air, electric.
I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t want to walk out of this room and never see him again. I couldn’t explain it, but I just… I didn’t.
“So,” I said, trying to sound nonchalant. “What was that business proposition you were talking about earlier?”
“Business proposition?” He frowned, confusion flooding his face.
“Yeah, back at your apartment. You said you had a business proposition for me?”
“Oh.” He shook his head. “It was nothing. It was a stupid idea, especially now.”
“Especially now?”
“Yeah, this girl – ” He shook his head. “Never mind. It’s not important.”
Was he talking about the girl I’d seen in that other room, the one who was crying? I wanted to ask him, but I was afraid if I pushed, he would kick me out.
“Really?” I asked. “Because it kind of sounded important.”
He looked at me, his eyes narrowing. “I can’t… you wouldn’t be good at it.”
My jaw dropped. “I wouldn’t be good at it?” I crossed my arms over my chest. “What the hell is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing, just that you’d have to listen to me. I’d be your boss. And you’re not good at following directions.”
“First of all,” I said. “You don’t know me well enough to know whether or not I’m good at following directions.” And second of all…” I trailed off. “Second of all, I’m a very motivated employee.”
“Oh, really?” He was next to me in a flash, his body against mine, his breath warm on my cheek. “Motivated, huh?”
“Yes.” I forced myself to keep my eyes on his.
“You’ll do anything I say?”
My breath hitched again, and I closed my eyes because I couldn’t take looking at him. He was just so damn beautiful, and I was afraid I was going to lose my mind or do something crazy, that’s how much I didn’t want to leave this room, how much I wanted to stay here with him. In that moment, I would have don’t anything he wanted.
“Yes,” I whispered. “Anything.”
He ran the back of his knuckle over my jawbone, then leaned in even closer to me. “You’d have to live with me. I’d need to keep an eye on you.”
I nodded, then forced myself to open my eyes, not caring if he kissed me, not caring if I broke my promise to Declan.
“Okay,” I said.
He grinned, then put his hand on the back of my neck, pulling my hair up gently. Then he closed his eyes and leaned down, his mouth coming closer to mine, his lips full and perfect. I held my breath and waited for him to kiss me.
But a second later, he froze and opened his eyes.
“Wow, Princess,” he said, “you really meant it.”
My legs were jello, my knees so weak I was afraid I was going to fall over. And he’d been bluffing the whole time. I didn’t know whether to be pissed or relieved.
“I told you,” I said, trying to match his cocky tone, like I’d won, like I’d called his