Page 31 of With this Ring

“Things have happened in the office that don’t make sense,” he reminded her. “And you’ve seen nothing on the building’s surveillance cameras.” He continued to regard her. “That would seem to indicate an inside job.”

“But why?” She frowned. “We’re a close team, and we all like working with each other. That just doesn’t make sense.”

“Unless it’s someone close to you who knows how to get around your security measures.”

The only one that could apply to was Toby. But why, after this long?

Gregorio lifted a shoulder. “I am serious about this. Give me the names of your employees.”

Hating that he was right, she scribbled down the list.

With a tight nod, he told her, “Coming here…you made the right decision.”

She exhaled. What other option was available? She was too close to the situation to see all the nuances. The fact she pushed back when he wanted the names of everyone at Pathways proved that.

Abruptly, Gregorio stood, his chair scraping back against the floor. He moved around the desk, closing the distance between them in a few powerful strides.

He pulled her to her feet, his hands firm on her shoulders, overwhelming her. ”You’ll be staying the night with me.”

Shocked, she blinked.

Absolutely not.

She wasn’t sure what she’d expected, but his reaction wasn’t it. “That’s not necessary. I have a room in Winter Park.” She shook her head. “I’ll be fine there. All I need is someone to bounce my ideas off, come up with a plan, see what I’m missing. Maybe we can have breakfast in the morning to discuss this further and I can pick your mind, see what I’m—”

“You came to me, Petal.” His grip tightened, not a lot, but with determined intent. “That puts you in my world and makes you my responsibility. Tomorrow, I’ll take you back to your room.”

“But… No.” Sasha shook her head. “My luggage is there, and I need my gear.”

“Such as?”

“All the things.” In frustration, she sighed. “Something to sleep in.”

A hint of a smile played around his lips. “Naked is fine.”

She opened her mouth, but no words emerged. His words were a dream, an impossibility.

“Or you can borrow one of my T-shirts.”

So he’d been kidding about wanting her naked. She should have guessed that. “I also need girl stuff. Makeup, soap. Shampoo. Brush.”And I need to be away from you for my sanity.

“We’ll go in the morning.” His voice was ice, implacable.

Resolutely, he folded his arms across his chest.

“Gregorio—”

He silenced her with a kiss that was so hard and deep he bruised her mouth and left the room spinning.

“My way, Petal. Or no fucking way at all.” Then he folded his arms across his chest and studied her hard. “What will it be?”

Chapter Five

Like it always is.

Reeling from the unexpected kiss and his insistence that she stay with him, Sasha struggled to regain her composure. Before she could formulate a response, a knock on the door jarred her.

Gregorio released her and stepped back, putting some much-needed distance between them right as the knob turned. His touch, his possession, was overwhelming.

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