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“Wow,” she breathes, fork poised. “This looks incredible.”

“Wait until you taste it.” My voice is rough.

She takes a bite, and her eyes roll back. “Oh my God, Gabe. This is… I don’t even have words.” Watching her eat turns me the fuck on so much, I don’t taste a bite of my own meal.

Dinner is… surreal. Alice is working on her second huge helping, sopping up the sauce with garlic bread and moaning in a way that makes my pants tighter with every bite. We talk between mouthfuls, and she tells me about her time in college, her favorite trash TV shows. And I can’t take my eyes off her. I drag my gaze over her perfect curves, then force myself to focus on something besides pinning her to the polished kitchen counter and making her scream my name.

“How did you end up in Worthington Hills?” I ask, voice low and rough.

Alice looks up, fork pausing halfway to her lips. “I wish I had a really great reason. But honestly, The Mercer Group’s offer was the best one I received.” She grins, but I catch the flicker of hesitation in her eyes.

She tries to play it off with a quick grin, but I spot the truth in her eyes. There’s something she isn’t saying. I lean in, elbows on the counter, crowding her a little just to watch her squirm.

“Did you not want to work for The Mercer Group?” I press, voice low.

She stabs at her lasagna, cheeks flaming. “Honestly? No. It’s not my endgame. I want something a little more… creative. But this pays the bills and keeps me sane until I figure out my real dream job.” She shrugs, trying to act casual, but that stubborn chin tips up and she meets my gaze, defiant and honest and so goddamn sexy I want to drag her onto my lap right now.

Fuck, she’s incredible. I can’t believe I get to keep her. She tucks her hair behind her ear and gives me this look—a little wicked, a little curious, like she’s about to dig for buried treasure. “So, confession,” she murmurs, voice soft. “I read your bio on The Mercer Group’s website, and Mrs. Winters told me what she knows about you. But I want to know the real stuff.”

I nearly choke on my wine. Damn, she’s perfect. “You want the truth?” I lean in, letting my fingers trace the rim of her glass, just so I don’t wind them in her hair and drag her straight into my lap. “I’m a control freak. I don’t sleep much. I hate being bored. My childhood sucked. I built everything from nothing, and I don’t trust easily.” I let her see it—the hunger, the need, the ugly bits most people would run from. “But the moment I met you, I felt a connection I’ve never felt before. I built my business on listening to my instincts, and everything in me screams that you’re the one thing I need.” She just looks at me, blue eyes wide, seeing the truth of my words.

She looks at me for a long moment, then her lips part on a shaky breath. “You’re kind of intense, you know that?” Her cheeks go bright pink, but she doesn’t flinch. She tilts her chin up, still meeting my gaze. “But I think I like it.”

Fucking hell. I can’t believe my luck.

I crowd her a little closer, so she has to look up at me. “You should get used to it, baby. I don’t do things halfway.” I let my fingers brush hers on the marble counter, the heat between us sparking again. “If I want something, I make damn sure I get it. And right now, all I want is you.”

Alice lets out a nervous laugh, but there’s nothing scared about the way she watches me. Her hands are shaking, but she’s defiant as ever, stubborn chin and all. “That just means you’re going to have to work for it.” She levels me with that sassy little glare, and I swear my cock goes diamond hard. God, she has no idea what she’s in for.

I crowd her up against the edge of the counter, staring her down until her breath starts to hitch. “Baby, you have no idea how hard I’m willing to work if it means I end up with you.” My voice is a low growl as I slide my hand over hers, pinning her tiny fingers to the cold marble.

Her lips part, cheeks flushing, but she doesn’t back down. Not for a second. “I appreciate your efforts so far,” she manages, but her voice is trembling. “But the night’s still young.”

Fuck, I love this woman. I want to eat her alive.