Page 25 of Perfect Night

“I don’t need charity,” he snapped.

Sebastian was taken aback for a second. It was a side of Charlie he hadn’t seen before, but it intrigued him.

“This wouldn’t be charity. I want to help you because you’re talented and deserve better.”

“And if we hadn’t fucked?”

Sebastian hesitated for a second, which was enough for Charlie to turn and head for the door.

“Where are you going?”

“I’ve been here too long. They’re going to wonder where I am.”

“Have dinner with me on Friday night.”

He spun around. Sebastian looked at him, pleading for him to say yes.

“I don’t think that’s a good idea. This is a conflict of interest. If my boss finds out when we don’t get the contract... I just can’t take the risk.”

Fuck! This was going worse than he’d expected. Charlie hadn’t given Sebastian his number, so it would be creepy as hell if he called him.

“Look, we told your boss we’d give him an answer at the end of next week. Why don’t we have dinner and you can try to convince me to change my mind?”

“And that’s the only reason you want to have dinner with me?”

“Of course not, Charlie. I’m clutching at straws here. Give me something.”

“I can’t do Friday night. I have a thing I can’t get out of.”

Sebastian had been due to fly home on Saturday, but he could reschedule his flight. He didn’t like to let his nieces down, and he had plans with them on Sunday, but his sister would understand. She was the one who’d sent him here to find Charlie, after all.

“How about Saturday?”

“I’m not sure.”

“I could just call your boss tomorrow and give him our decision.”

Charlie glared. Okay, perhaps he’d gone too far, but he was desperate. He wouldn’t be pushing so hard if he didn’t know Charlie felt the same. He just needed to get out of his own way.

“Fine, but just dinner.”

We’ll see about that!

“Just dinner. Shall I pick you up at seven?”

“Fine.”

Charlie put his hand on the door handle.

“Aren’t you going to give me your number?”

“You’re a resourceful man, Mr Steele. I’m sure you can find it, if you haven’t already.”

Charlie smiled and left, closing the door behind him. Fuck, that was hot. Had Charlie known Sebastian was going to be here all along? Had that little fucker played him? No, he’d looked genuinely shocked when he saw Sebastian. But he was definitely up to something, and that excited Sebastian.

There was a knock on the door.

“Come in.”

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