I decide to just throw it out there—the elephant. I’ve never been one for beating around the bush.
“Shh,” she hisses, balling her fists at her sides. I swear if she purses those little lips any tighter, she’s gonna have smoker lines she’ll never be able to get rid of. I almost tell her as much but decide I shouldn’t poke the bear…not yet, anyway.
“Listen,” I say, backtracking to try to smooth things over. “I had no idea that it was your family who owned this place, but I’ve already agreed to the job. For whatever reason, Beau and Kate went through a whole lotta trouble to make this happen. I’m sure their motivation wasn’t entirely innocent, but from what I can see, you’re not exactly drowning in options. I’m certain we can both be adult enough to put one night of hot se—”
“Stop!” she snaps, her slender index finger landing at my lips. “That’s enough.” Frazzled, she smooths down the front of her skirt and takes a step back. “I guess you can keep the job…just—” Her perky tits rise and fall with a deep breath, and I try not to stare. “Just don’t bring up that…situation…ever again. Mmmkay?”
I shift myself, trying to hide the growing situation in my pants. “I’ll do my best.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Just that my…situation…sometimes has a mind of its own.” I shrug and try to look innocent.
Even she isn’t able to resist a quick grin at my clever retort.
“Whatever,” she sighs, sticking out her hand for a shake. “Try and behave yourself, yeah?”
An unexpected thrill jolts through me at the brief contact of her silky-smooth hand in mine. “Like I said,” I rasp, already losing the battle, “I’ll do my best.”
I give myself a final once-over, touching up my pale pink lipstick and passing a brush through my long strawberry blonde locks before heading back downstairs. With an appointment in ten minutes I still need to prepare for, I have little choice but to come out of hiding.
I can do this. I can totally put my humiliation aside and work with this man, if it means saving my parents’ business. And my own job. I really don’t have a choice, seeing how I’m the one who put them in this predicament to begin with.
So what if he’s hotter than sin?
Who cares that his syrupy drawl sends all of the blood in my body rushing to my lady bits?
I live right upstairs. I can sneak away for panty changes throughout the day as needed. Hell, I’ll just stuff an extra pair into my front pocket right now to be safe.
Yup, I think to myself, running my hand along the oak banister as I navigate the ornate staircase down to the business floor. Whitney, girl—you’ve got this—
“Hey, Whit!” Sin wrapped in a cotton tee and light wash denim greets me with a grin that sends me tripping over my own feet, right into his arms—his massive, masculine arms.
I so don’t got this! My grip tightens around his bicep. Solid—not overly muscled. He isn’t one of those gymheads, but an honest to goodness, hard-working virile male.
I take a deep inhale before removing myself from his hold. He smells of wood and leather, and my pheromones like it—a lot.
“I’m fine,” I insist, righting myself. Jesus, did it just get hot in here?
He takes a step back, palms out. “Just trying to help.”
“And I appreciate it,” I snap tartly, fully aware that I’m sounding like a complete shrew but seemingly unable to help my reaction to this man—inward or outward.
“You look beautiful,” he offers as he observes me fiddling with my clothes and hair in the framed mirror behind him.
“Don’t.” I even out my breathing to the best of my ability and fan my face to alleviate some of the flush from my cheeks.
“What have I done to offend you now?” he asks, still doing a shit job at hiding his amusement. “Was it that I dared to save you from falling on your ass? Or my complimenting the appearance you’re fussing over needlessly?”
I shut my eyes and take a deep breath, swallowing some of my pride. “Why do you find this so funny?”
“Because it’s been over two years and you’re being ridiculous.”
I grit my teeth. “What the hell does it matter how long it’s been?” The memory is still as fresh as if it was yesterday. The cool metal of the bin pressing into my back while he thrusts mercilessly…
“Just let the memory play. Get it all out