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I scratch my head, trying not to look sheepish because that’s exactly what I did … in my mind. “You can handle yourself, Mae. You do it with grace. You don’t need me to solve your problems for you.”
“Thank you for saying that.” She fiddles with her fork. “We lost the account, and three investors followed. We could still manage with the accounts we did have, but we’d have to do a major layoff. There’s nothing worse than telling someone they’re done through no fault of their own.” Her mouth opens and closes as if she’s hesitating.
“What is it?”
“Before I let even one person go, I will sell my house first. Isabel will lose her private nursery school.” Her chin quivers, and she pins me with a stare. “And her incredible nanny.”
God, how selfless could a person be? She may not say it, but she cares about her people so fucking much. It just makes her that more admirable. “If you have to lose those things, you’ll figure it out. You are a resourceful woman. But one thing you can be sure of is that you’ll never lose me. I promised you I wouldn’t leave Isabel, and I keep my promises.” I’d sell my soul to her if she asked, but I’m hoping she’ll someday settle on a signed document that says Isabel’s mine and a wedding band. Someday soon.
This makes her angry. “You can’t work for free, Remi. If I let you, what does it say about me?” A mirthless laugh comes out of her mouth. “It would make me no better than Paul Wexford.”
Jealousy surges through me. “Who’s Paul Wexford?”
“The disgusting CEO.”
Oh no. “Baby, listen to me. You are not and could never be a rape-opportunist. You respect me more than that. As far as my pay, let me worry about that.”
Her stare is challenging. “You wouldn’t be saying that if you knew how many times I objectified you. I mean, the first day you came to the house, I fired you because I was too attracted to you.”
What? My thoughts swarm around my head, but the one that is recurring is: “Did you do anything with that objectification? If so, I really, really want to know more.” I lean in, resting my chin on my fist.
She throws a straw wrapper at me. “I’m being serious.”
“So am I.” I can’t keep the smile off my face. “I’ll tell you if you tell me. If it makes you feel any better, I wanted to bend you over your desk after your little tirade about cutting my balls off if I did anything to hurt your daughter. All while wearing latte foam on your nose.”
“Shut up!” She laughs. “You’re just trying to make me feel better.”
“It’s true. I fucked my fist to that image that very night. You had me from day one. So please don’t compare us to the bullshit that asshole did to you.” I pick up her fork and make her eat a bite of waffle that’s probably cold by now. “You didn’t eat dinner last night. I expect you to clean your plate.”
“Oh, really? What are you going to do if I don’t?” She gives me a flirty smirk.
“Spank your ass.” I can’t keep the possessive growl out of my voice.
Her mouth opens as her cheeks pink. My baby likes the idea very much. Same, Queeny. Same.
“Anyway, you were completely professional until I broke your boundaries. I’m the culprit here. Not you.”
Her finger taps her chin. “That is true.” She raises a wicked eyebrow. “Maybe I should spank you.”
My dick’s ears perk up, and I squirm in my seat. “You can do whatever you want to me.” I smile. “I’m all yours, baby.”
Mae bites her plump lip. “You really mean that, don’t you?” she asks like she can’t believe it.
I’m done hiding the way I feel. It’s deep and intense, and she needs to know that.
I sear her with a look. “Hand to God, Queeny. You are all I want. It’s not just about your body, though you’re a fucking goddess.” I give her a wicked grin. “It isn’t about that thing you do with your throat either, although I’ve never felt anything like it before.” Like the force of my feelings, I cannot stop the next words from leaving my lips. “The way I feel about you, I’ve never felt about anyone. Ever. The day you tell me you’ve had enough” — I choke at the possibility — “I’m not sure I’m going to survive it.”
I watch as her throat undulates under the weight of my confession. She doesn’t say anything, and it’s excruciating. My heart—the fool—is ready to give up.
Mae’s phone rings, killing the moment, and I want to throw the thing across the room. Her brows knit together when she looks at the screen before placing it at her ear. “Hello?” Tension builds in her forehead, and I stiffen. “Hello,” she bites out impatiently. She startles, looks at her screen again and shoves the offending object in her purse.
“Everything okay?” I’m on the edge of my goddamn seat.
“Fucking robo calls,” she gripes before her face relaxes and she gives me a small smile. “Anyway, I don’t think…”
Here it is, the big brush-off. My face heats with pre-humiliation. I should have known a woman like Mae would want someone with prestige, not a fucking nanny. From the start, I knew not to fall for her—a woman impossible for a humble guy like me to attain. I’m a daydreamer and a hopelessly-in-love nitwit.
“I don’t think I’ll ever get enough, Remi.”
