“If Ivan finds out...”
“He won’t,” he interrupts with a heavy exhale. “You’re my executive assistant. It’s your job to spend most of your time with me. No one will question if we work late or spend a few hours together on the weekends. You did those things with Duke and no one wondered, did they?”
I laugh. “They wondered.”
His eyes narrow beneath a scowl. “Someone thought you were sleeping with Duke?”
“A few people did.” I shrug. “Ivan brushed it off as office gossip. He knew better. He trusted us.”
His hand slides up my arm. “He trusts us too.”
I nod.
Cupping my cheek, he gazes into my eyes. “Whatever happens between us on a personal level has no bearing on the work we’re doing. We’re a solid team in the office, Bella. I promise we’ll be better together in my bed.”
A rush of desire washes over me. I’ve never taken such a brazen chance before. I always weigh the pros and cons, especially when it comes to my career or my heart.
I ask the question that’s been racing through my mind since last night. “Are there others in your bed?”
He stills. “In my bed? Other women?”
“Are you sleeping with anyone else right now?” I keep talking because my anxiety is shooting through the roof. “You were on a date at Atlas 22. She was pretty and there was that woman in front of Axel NY. She looked really happy to see you.”
I take a breath and continue before he can get a word in. “I like to know what I’m getting into before I have sex with a man so I can choose if it’s right for me.”
He quiets me with a soft kiss to my lips. “Bella, beautiful Bella.”
I melt into the touch of his lips and his words.
Pulling back, he cradles my face in his hands. “That date at Atlas 22 was one and done. We had one dinner, and it was done. I left before dessert.”
Hope blooms in my chest. “It was one and done?”
“How the fuck was I supposed to focus on anyone after spending time with you?” He growls through a smile.
“You didn’t take her home?”
“To do what?” He brushes the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. “So I could talk about you all night?”
I bow my head to hide the wide grin on my face. I had no idea that he left Atlas 22 with me on his mind.
“I haven’t seen her since that night.” He lets out a heavy exhale. “I haven’t been with anyone since I moved to Manhattan.”
Tugging me into his arms, he presses a kiss to my forehead. “You have no idea how much I want you.”
I want him too, but I still have questions about the woman outside Axel NY. She ran into his arms. The expression on her face was pure happiness, but he’s not sleeping with her. He told me that no one has been in his bed. I believe him.
“The wheels are turning inside there again.” He runs a finger over my brow. “Is it fear? You’re still scared of this? Of us?”
I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that I have reservations about jumping into bed with my boss, but I’ll handle those for a chance to be with him.
“I’m thinking about kissing you,” I whisper.
Without a word, he crashes his mouth into mine. I moan into the kiss. The need to be with him is so strong. It’s almost too much.
Breaking the kiss, he stares at me. His gaze is heated and filled with the same want that I feel inside of me. “We’re working upstairs today. My penthouse. Now.”
Taking my hands in his, he moves toward the door of his office. A soft knock greets us just as he’s ready to swing it open.