Page 29 of Hot Summer Nights

He already explained that he knows that I’m the one for him and that was why he lied to me and brought me out here where we could be alone. I want to give in to him because part of me knows that what he says is true, but I can’t have my first official adult job be ruined because I slept with the boss.

My family comes from old money and I’ve spent my life learning about how to protect my reputation and social standing. It never really mattered much to my sister, Elodie, or me. It was just part of growing up a Manot.

Still, the lessons that we learned have been bred into me, and I know that my parents would be upset if they found out that I slept with my boss. It would be a scandal, one that they would see as easily avoidable.

It doesn’t matter that I have feelings for Knox or that he’s the first person who has ever made me feel anything.

I’ve never been attracted to anyone. The time when I started noticing boys was also when Elodie got diagnosed with cancer. I forgot about everything except making sure that she got better for close to two years and it’s only because she’s in remission that I decided to move to Los Angeles and start working.

She’s in California, studying at Sequoia University and I love that we’re still close to each other.

I need to stay angry. I can’t mess up this job. I don’t want to go back to living in New York with my parents and having them watch my every move because they think that I can’t handle living on my own. I need this job to afford my tiny apartment and food.

“Just give me the next few days,” Knox pleads, holding his hands out like he’s trying to calm a wild animal.

I suppose that I do look a little crazy, pacing around and mumbling to myself under my breath.

“You don’t want to be with me because you’re worried that I’ll get sick of you or that people at work will talk and spread nasty rumors. Give me the next five days to prove that I’ll never get sick of you.”

I bite my bottom lip, my teeth sinking into the plump flesh as I try to think of what to do. Can I give him what he’s asking? How will I ever go back to not being with him if things don’t go well this week? Can I really give myself to him without risking my heart?

“I brought you out here because if things don’t go my way, then no one in the office ever has to know. Five days, Chloe. That’s it. Just give me five days to prove that we’re meant to be. If you still don’t want me after that, then we’ll keep it professional. Your job will never be at risk and I’ll never bring it back up again.”

I shift my eyes away from him, wondering what to do.

He already has a piece of my heart. Five days where we’re alone and acting like a real couple and I know that he’ll get the rest of it.

I promised myself when I moved out to Los Angeles though that I was going to try to take more risks and really live my life. I didn’t want to live by my parents’ rules anymore. I didn’t want to care about people’s backgrounds or what they wanted from me.

Elodie’s life was put on hold when she got sick and she had to stay in the hospital, but my life was paused too. I didn’t want to go on when she was battling to get healthy.

This could be my one chance to do something wild and crazy. To live life to the fullest. When am I ever going to get another chance to spend a week in paradise with a smoking hot billionaire?

“Okay. Five days,” I agree and Knox’s eyes light up like I just made his whole year.

My stomach feels like it’s on a rollercoaster, and I wonder if I just made a big mistake or the best decision of my life.

THREE

Knox

I can’t messthis up.

I also can’t stop from grinning as we make our way along the beach. It’s late, but there are some tiki torches lighting the path that we’re on and there’s a full moon providing light as well as we try to find a place to stop to have some dinner.

Part of me can’t believe that she agreed to all of this. This trip was a desperate measure to win over my girl, but I was fully prepared for her to tell me no and demand to be taken back to Los Angeles. It would have killed me, but of course I would have done it.

“How about this place?” I ask, pointing to the restaurant right on the water.

Chloe nods, looking a little sleepy, and I know that it’s been a long day for her. I need to get her fed and back home because I have big plans for us for the rest of the week.

I take Chloe’s hand and lead her into the beachside restaurant, asking for a table outside by the water. Her hand feels so good and right in mine that I don’t want to let her go when we take our seats.

“What are you hungry for?” I ask Chloe as we both open our menus.

“Hmm,” she says, pursing her lips as she looks over the menu in her hands. “Maybe the roasted mahi-mahi.”

I nod, deciding on the same and setting my menu aside so that I can focus on Chloe. I don’t have much time to show her that we’re perfect together.

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