Page 87 of Money Reigns

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Then I collect myself and move on.

“With renovations back up,” I say smoothly, “I think you’d be perfect as my permanent assistant.”

Stunned, she hesitates. “But…what about Brody?”

“I have other plans for Broderick.”

She tilts her head. “Warren…”

“I’m serious,” I say. “You’re efficient. Precise. Smart. I trust you.”

There’s a pause.

Then her eyes drop to the table. Her voice comes out small. “I don’t want special treatment.”

I arch a brow. “Special treatment?”

She gestures vaguely between us. “Because of… whatever this is.”

Ismirk.

“Oh, sweet girl.” I lean forward, voice low and dangerous. “You don’t get special treatment. You’re just mine.”

She flinches.

Just slightly.

“Warren,” she says, her voice a breath, barely above the clink of silverware around us. “I don’t think this is… appropriate.”

Ah. There it is.

The panic.

The guilt.

The urge to begood.

But her pupils are blown wide.

Her breathing is shallow.

I’m sure her thighs just pressed tighter together under the table.

Her mouth says no, but her body?

Her body is already mine.

I stare at her, drinking her in, long and unblinking, watching the way her fingers grip the edge of the table like she needs something to anchor her.

“Tell me you don’t want this, then,” I say softly. “Tell me to stop pursuing you. Tell me tostop.”

She opens her mouth.

Closes it.

“Warren…”

A beat.

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