“Has Annabelle offered the company to anyone else?”
Of course Rhiannon orgasmed and moved straight to business. He shook his head, a spurt of humor making him grin. “No. Are you thinking of renewing your bid?”
“Don’t tell Annabelle yet, I have to talk to Katrina. But, yes, I think I’m going to counter her counter with an investment offer. It seems like she’s in no rush to sell the company. She could cut me in for a slice. I can help her with her senior management issues. It could work, at a partnership level.”
He laced his fingers through hers and brought their hands to his mouth to kiss. “I like the idea of a partnership.”
“Yeah?” Rhiannon rolled onto her side to face him.
“Yeah.”
“I guess now’s the time we talk?” She gestured between them. “About us?”
“I think so.” He stacked his hands under his head. “I’m serious.”
“Serious about . . . me being naked and in your bed?” she asked lightly.
“No. Well, yes. But not exactly. I’m serious about you, woman. I’m looking for something serious with you. I’m not content with this just being sex for a night or a week or even a month. I want more. I want a relationship. With you,” he stressed, in case she didn’t quite understand him.
She wrinkled her nose. “What about your marketing campaign? Hard to be serious when you’re seeing a bunch of other women.”
He shook his head. “I’m not seeing anyone else. I filmed one last date for Matchmaker.”
“I saw it.” Her eye twitched. “She seemed nice.”
“She was lovely, but she wasn’t you. If we continue any campaign, it’ll be the one with you and me. We still have one meetup left in the contract you made me sign, don’t forget.”
“William might be annoyed by that.”
The relish in her statement told him she hoped he was. Samson couldn’t blame her—he didn’t like William much either. “William’s out.”
Rhi’s eyes widened. “What?”
“You’ve missed a lot.” He decided her breasts looked cold and cupped one. Her eyes fell to half-mast, but her expression remained expectant. “William and Aunt Belle decided their management styles are too dissimilar, Aunt Belle’s searching for a replacement, she knew from the start that I was into you and engineered us meeting, my friend Dean told me to be more like Beyoncé, and also I agreed to hear out my former nemesis about the job at that nonprofit.” He paused for a breath. “I think that’s most everything you missed.”
“Whoa. That’s a lot.” She glanced around. “I should put my shirt on.”
“It really wasn’t that much,” he insisted and strummed her nipple. “No need for shirts.”
“Sounds like a lot. What made you flip on the job?”
He told her about Al’s interview, and her face softened. “I guess that’s what it’s all about. Making all this”—she gestured to the world at large—“better for the youths.”
“That’s kind of a nice way of thinking about it.” He tipped his head at her. “Now you. What have you been up to since we last saw each other?”
“Well, I went on national television, told the world Peter harassed me, turned my phone off for twenty-four hours, had a real heart-to-heart with my brother about my trust issues, potentially acquired another roommate, and Peter stepped down as CEO.”
He stared at her. “You turned your phone off for twenty-four hours?”
“Literally the longest I have ever turned my phone off in the history of having a phone.” She blinked rapidly. “I was scared to turn it on. But when I did . . . there were so many nice messages, Samson. From so many people.”
“I’m sure you’ll get even more love in the days to come.”
“I’ll get hatred in the days to come too.” Shadows darkened her eyes.
“You might.” The people who hated him didn’t compare to the vitriol she’d have to weather. He pulled her close so he could smush her like she liked.
“No might about it. More people for sure believe me now than they would have four years ago, but that’s not saying much. There’s a nice majority who are going to be livid with me.” She inhaled. “But I figure, that’s okay. I’m glad I said what I did. I’m not alone, and with me talking about it, neither are the others.”
“I think you’re brave either way, but I’m glad you feel better, having come forward. And I’m glad he stepped down.”
“Me too.” She wrinkled her nose. “I thought I’d feel so much satisfaction at him losing the position and