Page 7 of Daddy's Little Charmer
Harmony drew in a shaky breath and tried to swallow the burn of anger that seemed to grow, having to deal with that man.
“No. I will not dance. Why don’t you ask one of the other girls? They love doing that.”
“I want you.”
She frantically shook her head. “Well, I’m sorry.”
“Are you saying you can’t be bought?”
“Yes. Now I assume this means I no longer have a job here, so I’d like to go and get my things,” she said tightly.
He watched as she twirled around and rushed toward the door. He was up swiftly and had his hands pressed againstthe wood on either side of her shoulders to prevent her from opening it. His heart twisted when he felt her tremble and sniffle.
“You’re not fired,” he murmured tenderly against the side of her head.
Harmony shook her head. “I can’t stay here. Let me go. I quit.”
Christian leaned his weight against her back and inhaled her sweet scent. “Are you afraid of me?”
Harmony rested her forehead against the door. “Yes … no … I don’t know. Just please let me leave.”
“Not yet,” he said. He grabbed her hand and pulled her over to the desk. He sat on the edge and spread his legs before pulling her between them and against him. He tightened his grip when she tried to pull away.
“Settle down. I’m not going to hurt you. I would never hurt you.”
Harmony heard the sincerity in his tone. She stopped squirming and remained still, her eyes closed, waiting.
He laid his hands on her hips and watched the different expressions cross her face. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have messed with you. I don’t want a lap dance from you, or to fire you, or for you to quit.”
Harmony’s eyes flew open, and she looked up at him in shock, confusion, and more than a bit of irritation. “Then why were you saying it?”
Christian guessed she didn’t realize she’d set her hands on his arms and was nervously pinching the fabric of his shirt between her fingertips as she stared up at him.
“I’m not sure. You were so sassy, and I wanted to see if you’d change your mind.”
“Well, I won’t. Now, if I’m not fired, can I get back to work?”
“Yes, in a bit. First, I want you to agree to have dinner with me this week.”
Harmony looked stunned. “What? Why?”
Christian smirked. “Because I want to eat a meal with you.”
Harmony shook her head even though the thought of being with that man was enticing. Even as irritating as he was, she’d felt a spark of heated sensation when she’d met him. She didn’t know a lot about desire, but she did know it was wrong to feel that way with the boss.
“No, you’re my boss. It wouldn’t be right.”
“But I own the place. I make the rules.”
“Not for my life, you don’t. You’re the boss of me when I’m here, but outside, I’m the boss of me.”
“What if I told you I want to be the boss of you everywhere?”
Her frown deepened. “I’m not sure what you mean.”
“It means I would do everything in my power to make you happy and make sure you’re safe. But I’d have to know everywhere you go, and what you were doing.”
Harmony’s thoughts scattered for a moment. “Why … why would I let you do that, and why would you want to?” she gasped, perplexed.
