Page 12 of Tell Me Something

He was silent most of the trip, and I was surprised when he cut the engine after pulling into my apartment parking lot. “I’ll walk you up.” His voice was back to intimate.

When my face hit the night air, I started to realize what I must look like through his eyes. “I’m fine, really. Look, I’m sorry. I drank too much, and I had just thought to text you a question, and then you called, and now you’re walking me up, and shit—” I missed a step on the stairs, and he steadied me up against his body.

He’d changed his clothes and was now in jeans and a soft black T-shirt. My hand found his chest, and I was able to feel the hardness of his muscles beneath the soft material. Jumping back, I realized what a silly girl I must appear to be to him. At the top of the stairs, I unlocked my door and was about to bid him good night when he invited himself inside.

“Where’s your roommate?”

“She’s going home with someone from the club. I mean, she’s not slutty. It’s her coworker, and they’ve been seeing each other. Crap, Haylee. Just. Stop. Talking.” I clamped a hand over my mouth, completely embarrassed.

“Why did you ask me that question?” He had crossed the room and was looking intently at me.

My lips went dry, and I cursed mentally at the fact that most of the moisture from my mouth was now pooling between my legs. Merely from his intensity. “I just— I don’t know. It doesn’t make sense, that’s all.” My eyes shifted down.

His fingers lifted my chin. “You make me want to get to know and trust you for some inexplicable reason. Does that answer your question?”

It really didn’t and instead led to many more. But my brain was fuzzy and I was exhausted, so I merely nodded, wondering if and secretly hoping that he would kiss me.

“So, is that a yes, then?” His voice did this honey thing that made my stomach flip-flop. “Or are there any other concerns?”

“I, uh, no. Are you sure you haven’t changed your mind?”

Smiling, he gave me an entertained look. “No, but tell me, what’s holding you back from taking this opportunity?”

Before I could filter my response through the tiny sober part of my mind, I blurted out, “That I’m way too attracted to you for you to be my boss.”

He stepped back, and my brain registered what had just come out.

“Oh, shit, I didn’t mean to say that out loud.” I felt the tears of embarrassment well up.

He cupped my face and wiped them away before they made tracks. “Text me yes. Right now, so that in the morning you see that you’ve agreed.”

Since when was a text message a binding agreement? But my heart and fuzzy head weren’t computing, so I nodded dumbly and fumbled with my phone.

“There, I just sent it,” I proclaimed.

He checked his phone and seemed pleased. “Get some sleep and get your things in order. Tomorrow I’ll email you the nondisclosure agreement that you’ll need to sign before working for me. I’ll see you Sunday morning. And, Haylee?” He was at my front door and looked back. “The feeling is quite mutual.” With that, he left.

It took me a full minute to realize what he was referring to, but once I did I was dumbfounded. Josh Singer was attracted to me, too. And I’d just agreed to move to New York to work for him.

CHAPTER FOUR

M y new life started with me staring out at a bustling Times Square from the window of the town car that had picked us up at the airport. I felt like a tourist and couldn’t help it. Looking over at Josh, I found that he was smiling at me while I took in the sensory overload that was New York City. So this would be home for the next nine months.

We’d taken his private plane and were now pulling up outside of a tall, modern-looking apartment building. The doorman greeted Josh and came out with a cart to help with the luggage.

“Hello, Miss. I’m Rafael. I’m on the door most nights, and Jim is your day man. I’ll meet you upstairs with your things shortly.” He seemed friendly and appeared to know Josh.

“Um, what floor am I on?” I asked as we both stepped into the elevator together.

“You’re on twenty-four.” Josh pressed the button.

The butterflies in my stomach increased with each passing number. It would be the first place I’d ever have all to myself.

Following his steps to the end of the hall, I noticed how quiet it was and wondered what my neighbors would be like. Seeing only two other doors at the end of the hall, I wondered who else lived on the floor. Nice building in Manhattan with a secure entrance, mere blocks from Times Square— Yeah, I had a feeling I’d have nothing in common with either of them.

“Don’t use your address on anything, including your HR forms. Instead, you can set up a PO Box tomorrow at lunch for a mailing address. There’s a post office a block from the office.”

“Do I get to ask why?”