Careful. Right. That’s what I should be being. But then why do I feel like jumping into this thing headfirst?
There’s a feeling in my chest that I’m not used to. A courage or excitement or thrill or something that I just can’t ignore. And it goes far beyond the fierce sexual desire still blazing within me. I want to make her life better. I want to protect her. Provide. All the things a man in my position shouldn’t want to be doing for a girl this early on in a relationship.
Relationship…
The word just sort of popped into my mind. Is that what this is? Is that what I want? She’s my secretary, and we’ve only spent one night together. So why is it that I’m already thinking about our future? Why the fuck did I come in her?
The thrill in my chest grows, and I think about our dinner last night. The candy she gave me.
She’s really got something there. So why is it she’s working a desk job for me? She should be out there doing her own thing, and I’m going to make sure she is. I grab my phone and dial Ross, my realtor.
“Ross, buddy. Is that warehouse space on Cove Road still available? It is? Great. Why don’t you give me a year lease on it. Yeah, I’m sure. No, I’ll have some things delivered. Manufacturing. Yup. And send me an e-mail confirmation. Thanks.”
I hang up just as Faith’s finishing up her shower. The bathroom door opens, a
nd she sticks her head out, looking adorable with a head full of wet hair. “Your shower is amazing. I bet Brad Pitt doesn’t have a shower like this.”
“Well, Brad Pitt is broke compared to me,” I laugh. “So I sure hope he doesn’t. Hey, come here. I want to show you something.”
“I’m all wet!”
“Just come here! It’ll only take a second.”
I motion her over and pull her onto my lap, trying to ignore just how sexy her thighs and ass feel, but it’s almost impossible. I open up my e-mail and wait. Faith looks over at me. “Okay…?”
“Hang on,” I tell her. “It’ll just be a second.”
Ding!
The e-mail arrives from Ross, and I quickly open it.
“See this? This is a confirmation for a brand new warehouse space I just leased for you for one year. It’s manufacturing ready, so you can make all the lemon drops you need to get your business started.”
I’ve never felt better about anything I’ve done in my life. This isn’t a business deal or a decision for something that will pay off monetarily in the future; this is just something I’m doing out of the goodness of my heart for a woman that makes me feel amazing. But when I look up at her, I see a reaction I was not expecting.
“Why…why would you do that?” she asks.
“Because I want to help you.”
Faith gets up off my lap and walks a few steps away. “But just yesterday you were worried that I was trying to steal your money. Now you’re renting me warehouse space?”
“Well, you passed your date-interview.” I smile, standing. “And it’s not like I’m offering to marry you and give you a million dollars. It’s just a warehouse space for you to get your company going.”
“I can get the company going on my own, Lance—”
“Faith,” I say, cutting her off. Fuck, this is going sideways. “I know you can. I’m just trying to help. I want to help.”
Faith shakes her head and grabs a pair of pants from the couch and pulls them on. “You shouldn’t have done this, Lance.”
She’s pissed. “Faith, are you this determined to prove to me that you’re not out for my money?”
“I’m this determined to show you that I don’t need a handout, Lance! Not from you, not from my father, not from anyone!”
Anger flaring in her eyes, she snatches her sweater from last night and slides into it, grabs her bra and skirt, and practically tears the door off its hinges as she leaves the office. She storms right past everybody on her way out, and once she’s in the hallway, they all turn their eyes on me.
Yeah. This did not go the way I thought it would.
FAITH