Page 152 of His Addiction
Perched on a bar stool, wearing nothing but his oversized t-shirt, she hugged a warm mug to her chest. Her body ached, swollen and sore from a night spent reconnecting.
She adored him.
The way he took control in the bedroom, that commanding, possessive edge that always had her trembling, was a power she craved.
Her focus snapped back to Jamie as he rounded the kitchen island, the towel wrapped around his waist doing little to hide the strength of his abs and broad shoulders.
Damn, everything about him was so fucking overwhelming, so impossible to resist.
“Ready to go back?” His hands rested on her waistfrom behind, his lips brushing against her neck in a fleeting kiss.
She inhaled the scent of his skin, letting his touch melt some of the tension away. “Yeah, I’m ready. A break from the monotony was good for me.”
He swivelled the stool around so she faced him. “You’ll come back once you’re finished. I’ve got something to show you later. A few things to discuss. The chopper will take you back and forth.”
Her brow furrowed, her stomach twisting. “What do we need to talk about?”
Jamie’s mouth curled into a half-smile, but a slight hesitation altered his expression for a beat.
“All in good time.” His gaze drifted, like he was holding back. “With the comps coming up, you’ll have to leave Coffee Kicks and spend the evenings here with me. It’ll be more…convenient.”
“Only a rich guy would suggest something like that,” she muttered under her breath. “Harry promoted me in the yard. I’m going to have to hand in my notice at Coffee Kicks anyway, but running the business is an incredible opportunity. I’ll need to shadow Harry even more than I already do. This is everything I’ve worked for. I’ve got bills to pay, a job to learn, and a reputation to build.”
“That’s fine. You’re moving out of the loft and staying with me, though. The chopper is yours whenever you need it. You won’t have to worry about bills anymore,” he countered, his tone calm, as though it should be an easy decision.
Her eyes narrowed, irritationflaring.
“Are you serious?” Her voice dropped, hardening with an edge. The audacity of his suggestion hit a nerve.
Shannon twisted and slammed the mug on the counter.
“You know how hard I’ve worked to get to where I am today. Don’t think for a second that a wave of your money will make me give it all up. I’m not about to throw away my dreams and my morals to hang onto your coat tails. And what happens when you get bored with me and move on to the next damsel in distress? I’ll be fucking homeless, Jamie. You don’t get it, do you?”
He stood still for a moment, his cheek dimpling with that subtle, sexy smile.
“Baby, you’re no damsel in distress. I’m just trying to make it easier for you. You’ll wake up with me every morning and focus on the yard. I’m gonna take care of everything else.”
Her breath hitched. “I’m serious, Jamie. I’m not your fucking pet. Stop throwing money around like it’s a solution to everything. One day, I’ll wake up, and this dream will be over.”
His fingers brushed over her clenched fists, his touch soft but firm. “That won’t happen, Shannon.”
She steeled her spine and stared right at him. “I’m not prepared to take that risk. We do this on my terms. I pay my own way. All this money you have…it’s yours. Not mine.”
His gaze flicked down to their linked fingers. “Yeah, it’s mine to spend as I want.”
Her shoulders lifted in frustration. “Money can’t buyeverything, Jamie. And the more you throw around, the more it feels like you’re trying to buy me.”
Jamie shook his head. “I’m not trying to buy you, love. I’m taking care of what’smine, and you need to understand that.”
Her breath came out in a frustrated puff.
“Yeah, yours for now. And then what? You’ll drop me back into squalor, leaving me broken-hearted and penniless. I don’t need anyone’s charity. I work hard to earn money. It’s always been that way. For this to work, we have to be equals. That means financially, too.”
His expression tightened as he stared at her in silence. “You’d be heartbroken-huh?”
Shannon’s lashes lowered to hide the vulnerability in her eyes. “Yeah, Jamie. I’d be very heartbroken.”
A shiver ran through her, and for a moment, she was afraid he could hear her heart pounding in her chest, sensing the desperation that clung to her confession.
