ctly that, lunging toward me and caging me against the side of the Navigator, his arms on either side of mine. His body dangerously close.
"Why?" he asks.
His mouth is so close that his breath warms me, and the scent of whisky is strong enough to be intoxicating. For the first time, I wonder how long he was in the club before I noticed him. Did he sit at a table and drink while the other girls danced? Did he enjoy them? Or was he there only for me?
"Answer me," he demands, the heat in his words pulling me from my thoughts.
"I told you. I need the money. Please, Wyatt. Let me go."
"Why?"
"You're making me feel claustrophobic." That's a lie. I feel uncomfortable, yes. But not like that. What bothers me is the way my body is reacting to him. The way that, despite everything, I want him to lean in just a little closer.
"I meant, why do you need the money?"
"Oh." Bitter mortification sweeps over me. "That's really none of your business." I lever myself away from the car, as if I'm going to shove past him. "You want to get out of my way?"
He uses his whole body to push me back, so that now I'm completely flat against the car, and he's pressed against me, body to body. I feel my pulse kick up, and I have to clench my fists in order to fight the unwelcome urge to lean my head forward and kiss him.
"You're making it my business," he says, lifting one hand off the car so that he can run a lock of my hair through his fingers.
"Tell me, Kelsey. Why did you walk through my door? What kind of trouble are you in that you need money so fast?"
"I just do. What does it matter why? I need fifteen thousand, and I need it before the end of the month."
"So that's all this is about?" His fingertip traces the curve of my ear, and I can't hide the shiver that cuts through me.
"That tickles," I say, as if that's all I'm reacting to. As if his touch isn't really affecting me at all.
"It's just about the cash?" He shifts his touch from my ear to my collarbone, exposed by the V-neck tee I'm wearing. "You're not looking for publicity?"
"Publicity? For what? Why would I--"
"I could lend you the money," he continues, putting his hand back on the car so that I'm fully caged once again.
"You won't," I counter. "And I wouldn't take it if you did. I don't want to be in anyone's debt, much less yours."
"Why not mine?"
I meet his eyes dead on. "Because you hate me."
He flinches, and for a moment he's completely silent. Then he slowly takes his hands off the Navigator and steps back, freeing me.
"I don't hate you, Kelsey. It would probably be easier if I did."
"Oh." I glance down so he can't see the tears that prick my eyes. I blink, then draw a breath to steady myself. Only when I'm sure I've got it together do I look back up at him. "Does that mean you're giving me the job?"
He exhales. Loudly. "Fine. You want the job? It's yours." He takes another step back and looks me up and down. "We start tonight."
I push away from the car, then stand rigid. "Tonight!"
"You have somewhere else to be?"
"I--no. Tonight it is."
He nods, apparently pleased with my acquiescence. "I can't be wrong about this, Kelsey. So I have some conditions, and they're non-negotiable. You don't want to comply, you walk away now. Is that clear?"
I nod firmly, hoping I look more certain than I feel.