Billionaire Bad Boys of Romance 2(82)
“Okay. Now that we’ve finally gotten the truth out in the open.” His hand slid back down my arm until it reached my hand. His fingers wove between mine. “It was a kiss. A nice kiss. A kiss I wasn’t expecting. There doesn’t have to be anything else. If you don’t want.”
“That’s not the point.”
“Then tell me, what is the point?” Turning to face me once again, he drilled me with a sharp gaze that said he was tired of talking in circles.
To be honest, I couldn’t blame him for being a little annoyed and confused. I’d sent him mixed signals. Even though I had stopped the kiss eventually, I had kissed him back.
“The point is…” I took a deep breath, let it out. “I haven’t signed a new contract in months. My boss was ready to fire me. You came along, and I know your contract is going to save my ass. I’m trying to keep you happy while getting you to sign. This is a big deal to me. Marguerite likes you. You told me that.”
“She likes my checkbook,” he said with a sneer. “That’s the only thing your boss likes about me.”
“And the girls. I can think of at least five women who are going to absolutely love you.”
“Are you trying to convince me that Premier is the best thing for me, or are you trying to convince yourself?”
“You.”
He arched a brow again.
“Okay, me too.” Totally confused now, I jerked my gaze away and blinked my eyes at least ten times. Dammit, my eyes were burning. Why? What the hell were we arguing about? Why was I getting emotional?
Using an index finger, he lifted my chin and held it up until my gaze met his. He opened his mouth, as if to say something then snapped it shut. Again, he opened his mouth. And again, he closed it. Finally, he dropped his hand and shook his head. “I told you I would sign the contract if you went on a date with me. I’ll keep my word.”
My exhalation was audible.
He chuckled. “Glad you’re so relieved by that news.” His lips curled into a twisted semi-smile. “I don’t know what it is about you. Either you’re able to drill your way through a man’s defenses naturally or you’re the best salesperson on the planet.”
“If I were the best salesperson, would I be so desperate for a sale?”
This time he didn’t chuckle; he laughed. And his whole face lit up. The combination of sound and sight took my breath away. “Touché.” He lifted an index finger. “But that still doesn’t get you off the hook. I will expect one date for every Premier event I attend.”
“Fair enough,” I said, secretly thinking he probably would give up after the first event. What man, when given the pick of dozens of perfect potential wives, would bother with me?
No man.
“Are you ready to head home?” he asked. “It’s going to take a while to get back.”
“Sure.”
“Okay. But there’s just one more thing I wanted to do today.”
“What’s that?”
He reached for me, pulled me into his arms. “This.”
I couldn’t help sinking into his embrace. It felt so right being in his arms. The thought that he might hold some other woman the same way made my heart twist and my belly ache. But I shoved those thoughts aside and just enjoyed the simple pleasure of feeling strong, capable arms holding me.
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“Daryl?” he whispered.
I tipped my head to look at into his face. “Yes?”
“I want to kiss you.”
A pulse of heat blazed through me. Yes! Yes! I wanted him to kiss me again. “Please don’t.”
“Are you sure?” he asked as his head tipped to one side.
“Y-yes.”
He lowered his head a little more. “Are you certain?”
“Yes.”
He inched it closer still, until his breath warmed my face. “Are you absolutely positive?”
“Yes.”
“Very well.” He kissed one cheek, and the other. Then, holding my hand in his, he escorted me back up the long, steep staircase to the house.
That was a disaster barely averted.
I prayed my willpower held up for the rest of the day.
For the rest of the week.
Tevin was about to be Premier Consultants most sought after bachelor. Once Marguerite had a hold of him, there was no going back.
Chapter 5
It was Friday night.
Friday. Already.
The night of Tevin’s first mixer.
I’d been dreading tonight all week, and now the wait was over.
As I’d expected, Marguerite had been talking about Tevin all week, raving about what a great find he was while being extremely closed-lipped about his finances. While I found that slightly frustrating, that she refused to tell me what she knew about him, it wasn’t particularly unusual. She hadn’t given me any specifics about the financial backgrounds of any of Premier’s other clients. I didn’t want to push too hard for information, fearing my prodding might make her suspicious. Thus, I was left to assume that he was good enough for Premier after passing the background check.