Page 76 of The Billionaire's Assistant

When we stepped outside, we stood to the side of Eudora’s front steps. I took a deep breath, looked Ben in the eye, and said, “I need you in my life.”

“I’m in your office every day.”

“And barely speaking to me.”

He looked away, suddenly very interested in passing cars. “I’m performing my job quite well.”

“You are, but….”

“I don’t know if I can do this, Miles.”

As he said the words, he looked up and our eyes met again. I heard him suck in a breath. Neither of us spoke. The tension between us was so thick it was tangible.

My hand came up and brushed his cheek.

I wasn’t angry anymore, just achingly sad. I’d always thought the term “broken heart” was melodramatic, but my chest hurt all day and all night, keeping me from sleeping. “Ben….”

“Yes.”

Was he acknowledging that I’d spoke or giving me permission? I prayed it was the latter as I slowly moved closer, pulling him to me, then pressing my lips to his again. As soon as I did, it was like I’d ignited a fire. Ben gripped my upper arms, pulling me even closer as he kissed me back with all the passion I’d longed to feel again.

“I missed you,” I said against his lips as we both tried to catch our breath.

“I…Miles….” The sadness in his eyes felt like a punch to the gut.

“We can make this work.”

He sighed. “You believe that because everything works out for you.”

“Then I can make it work out for you too.”

“I….”

“You want me.”

“Of course I do.”

The confession came so easily it gave me hope. “Then why….”

“Because you’re going to break my heart.”

“You already broke mine.”

He looked truly stunned. “What?”

“Jesus, Ben, don’t you know how much I care for you? I haven’t felt alive since you walked away.”

“You can’t mean….”

“I…don’t make me say it if you’re not going to give us another chance.”

“I don’t belong in your world. That hasn’t changed.”

“This…” I gestured toward Mrs. Weeks’s house, “is my world, and you fit in there as well as I do.”

“But at work—”

“Most of those people are jackasses.”

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