Page 27 of Devious Truth

“And if I say no?”

“Why would you do that?”

“Because I don’t date?—”

“It’s a job, not a date.” I see that I’m going to have put more pressure. Whatever is holding her back has a death grip on her. “I’d still be your boss. You’d still be under my employ.”

“You realize you’re opening yourself up to a huge lawsuit here, right? I mean, if you fire me for saying no to this. I think even asking me this is legal,” she blusters.

It’s all a show to hide that she’s finding it difficult to say no.

Digging out a business card from my desk, I hand it over to her. “Here’s a lawyer. But you won’t be able to afford his retainer unless you take the job.”

She grips the card, quickly reading the law firm’s name embossed on the front.

“You know there are other lawyers in this city.”

“That would take us on? No. And not to mention, you signed an NDA. Suing Obsidian would go against that contract.” I flick the end of the card she’s gripping. “This guy actually put that part in to protect us. So, maybe he wouldn’t be much help to you.”

She throws the card at my desk, but it floats to the edge and slips off onto the floor.

“I don’t want to lose this job.” Her voice lowers, and for a brief moment guilt strikes me.

I’m putting her in an awful place, making her chose between financial freedom and her personal freedom. Only an asshole would keep pushing.

“I’ll pick you up tomorrow at seven,” says the asshole in the room.

“I haven’t said yes, yet,” she says, a flicker of annoyance in her eyes.

“I thought we just covered that. You’re not saying no. I’m picking you up at seven.” I pick up her arm and trail my thumb over the fading bruise still lingering on her skin. “And maybe you’ll tell me who did this to you.”

“It was nothing.” She pulls free of my grasp.

“Keep your secrets for now.” I gesture toward the door. “You can go.”

Flames bursts into her eyes, and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve seen all day.

“Fine. But you’ll pay me even if you have a horrible time.”

“Why would I have a horrible time?” Other than the event itself is mind numbing.

“I’m just putting that out there. If you don’t have any fun, you’d still pay me?” The little quirk to her lips gives her away.

Stepping up to her, I wait to see if she’ll cower away. Of course she doesn’t. This woman has a spine of steel.

“Well.” I give a slow grin. “If you’re planning on misbehaving to make my night hell, I should warn you. I don’t let naughty girls have dessert.”

Her pupils explode. But she recovers quickly.

“I think I can do without a little ice cream.” She huffs, trying to laugh, but the rose tint to the tip of her nose is a testament to how hard she’s blushing beneath all that makeup.

I move my stare to her mouth just as the tip of her tongue touches her upper lip.

“That’s not the dessert I’m referring to.”

Gravity is the only reason I’m still standing in front of him at his point.

Everything he’s saying and not saying has woken up the sleeping beast inside of me. I put her to bed a long time ago, but a sly grin from him, coupled with his little innuendo, and she’s up and ready to party.

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