Page 97 of Tempting Me

“Obviously, I like you, too.”

I smirk.

She rolls her eyes.

“But it doesn’t change the fact that people can’t know you're remodeling this place, and if they can't know that, then they definitely can’t know we’re sleeping together.”

I nod slowly.

It still sucks to hear.

“Remind me why people can’t know that you hired me. Is it only because your family doesn't like me?”

She breaks eye contact instantly and hesitates to answer.

In fact, she takes so long that I almost tell her she doesn’t have to tell me. I don’t want to make her uncomfortable.

“When I came back and took over, my parents told me that I could turn this place around as long as I didn't hire you.”

Shit.

Her family really has zero trust left in me.

“And what happens if they find out you did?”

She shrugs quickly.

“I don’t want to find out.”

Then she does that thing where she looks everywhere but at me, her eyes bouncing like a fucking pinball machine that’s ready to break.

She’s not telling me something. I’m not saying what she just admitted isn't true, because it sounds on track with everything we have been through, but she’s holding back details.

They must be bad ones.

She shifts on her feet, and I hate putting her in this spot. One where she clearly has to choose between what she wants with me and what she wants to make her family happy.

I’ll never be that guy who has to make her choose.

No one is going to die, so whatever she’s keeping can't be that bad.

I reach for her, pulling her into my arms. Once I have her wrapped up tight against my chest, I feel her entire body relax.

“You won’t have to.”

And she won’t. Not if I get a say in the matter.

I spendthe next couple of hours working in one of the cabins while Shay finishes her day at The Marina.

The moon is shining over the lake, giving a calm presence to the cabin when Shay walks back in.

“Should we get back to it in the main building?”

I nod, eager to follow and spend time with her.

Now, I know I have to work when we get there, but I’m hoping to steal a kiss or two as well. I’ve never been this into anyone I’ve dated. So into them that even being apart for a few hours feels like I’m missing something.

Of course, there is no way I’m going to admit this to her right now. My feelings for her went from zero to one hundred real quick, and I don’t want to freak her out if she doesn't feel the same way.