“I won’t ask you to leave, Lindsay.” She was so solemn when she made the promise. “Will you stay as long as I want?”
“I’ll stay as long as I can.”
The gentle words seemed to appease Elle, and she slid out of the car at her school more buoyantly than she had for months.
Once she was gone, an awkward silence filled the car. She was looking down at her feet instead of at me, and I couldn’t seem to tear my gaze from her knee. I was starting to feel like a dirty old man and forced my gaze away. It was only when she slid over a bit that I realized we’d still been pressed together on the seat even after Elle had left.
“Mr. Baylor said you would give me a signing bonus, Mr. Hudson.” Her brown eyes were huge with obvious embarrassment when she finally looked up at me. “I hate to press you, but I really need the money.”
“It’s for tuition, right?” At her surprised nod, I reached for my briefcase and popped the latches. A second later, the checkbook was in hand, and I had my fountain pen poised over the “To” line.
“Should I make this out to you or Columbia University?”
“Columbia please. They won’t take checks from my father anymore, and probably not from me, but I doubt they’ll reject yours.” She dipped her head to hide behind her hair.
Without thinking about it, I reached out and cupped her chin, gently urging her head up.
“Don’t be ashamed for what you need, Lindsay. It’s hardly your fault, and you’re going to be working to earn it. This isn’t charity or a loan.”
Her tentative smile robbed me of the ability to breathe for a moment, and the flush of pink in her cheeks almost made me dizzy with the effort to resist leaning forward to press my lips to hers. That’s not what employers and employees did.
I forced myself to release her chin, though I swore I could still feel the softness of her skin imprinted against the whorls of my fingertips. Clearing my throat, I looked away from her and bent my head to focus on writing the check. I signed it with a flourish and handed it to her a moment later. “Do you need an advance on your salary, Lindsay?”
She shook her head. “No, thank you. I have enough to tide me over until payday. Oh! That reminds me that I have to turn in my notice at my other jobs.”
“Jobs? How many do you have?”
“Two. I was looking into a third one when Mr. Baylor contacted me. With what you’re paying, including a room, I won’t have to try to juggle the other jobs with school and taking care of Elle.”
I nodded. “Good. Just so we’re clear, Lindsay. Elle is your first priority, okay? If you start to fall behind in school, please let me know, and I’ll arrange a tutor. Whatever you need, I’ll give it to you, as long as you’re focusing on Elle.”
The naughty thoughts suddenly crowding my mind, all the things I’d like to give her—things I shouldn’t be thinking—embarrassed me when I saw the gratitude in her expression. I shielded my eyes and glanced away. “Is that clear?”
“Yes, sir.”
My cock jumped in my pants, and I was back to feeling like an awkward teenager again. I gritted my teeth, not sure if I wanted to advise her to never use that honorific again, or if I wanted to demand she use it every time she was with me.
Dammit, I couldn’t keep losing myself in thoughts of her. “Good. May I drop you somewhere on my way to work?”
She nodded. “My apartment please. I need to pack my things. I might have time to take them over to your place before class.”
I glanced at my watch. “I’ll send Hector back for you after he drops me at the office.”
She looked almost appalled. “I couldn’t let you do that. This car must cost a fortune.”
I laughed. “Yes, but Hector gets paid a salary, and he sometimes complains of being bored during the day. You’d be doing him a favor.”
She looked skeptical. “I think you’re pulling my leg, but since I’m not really in a position to refuse, I’ll let you. Thank you, so much, Mr. Hudson.”
“Ben,” I reminded her with a smoky tinge in my voice I hadn’t intended.
She nodded.
“Say it.” I couldn’t explain it, but I needed to hear my name on her lips.
Lindsay looked hesitant, and was likely confused by my request, but she wasn’t brave enough to refuse it. “Ben,” she whispered with her head bent.
“Look at me and say it, Lindsay.”