“Define careful,” he says.
I sigh. He keeps shifting closer, and I can’t seem to stop myself from touching him. I slide my hands up his chest. “People are going to freak out if they think I’m sleeping with the boss.”
“You are sleeping with the boss.”
“Correction,” I say, adding a little wickedness to my tone. “I slept with the boss. It doesn’t mean I’m doing it again.”
He grips the sides of my robe at my waist and pulls me closer. “You’re sleeping with him. As often as possible.”
I laugh. “Let’s just take things slow at the office. You’re the boss, so no one can give you too much shit. But people are going to think … they’re going to think a lot of things about me.”
“Who gives a fuck what they think?”
“I do,” I say, leaning back. “This is my career, Ronan. I have to work with these people every day, and I don’t have the benefit of being the one to sign their paycheck.”
“All right,” he says. “But it’s going to be very hard to work with you all day and keep this in.”
“Do your best.” My phone buzzes with a text. I have a feeling it’s either Braxton or Kylie. “I should check that. If it’s my brother and I don’t answer, he’ll come busting through that door in about three minutes.”
I grab my phone and check. Sure enough, it’s Brax.
You OK? Text me back now or I’m coming over.
I’m fine. You don’t need to come over.
U sure?
I shake my head and reply. Positive. TTYL
“Your brother?” Ronan says.
“Of course,” I say. “I told him he doesn’t need to come over.”
“He’s going to hate me, isn’t he?” Ronan asks. By his tone, he doesn’t seem too concerned about it.
“Not necessarily,” I say, although that’s kind of a lie. Braxton doesn’t like anyone I date. “But you can expect him to give you the suspicious side-eye a lot.”
Ronan laughs. “All right, since the old rules are gone, that means I don’t have to keep ordering dinner in the office to get you to go out with me.”
“So you admit those dinner meetings were all a ruse to get me in bed,” I say.
“They were much more than that, Selene,” he says, his voice throaty. He runs his hand through my hair. “So much more.”
I stare at him. What does he mean? Is this the same man who walked out on me five years ago? Do I dare believe he could be different now?
What the fuck am I doing?
“I’m coming on too strong, aren’t I?” he asks.
“No, I just…”
“You have doubts,” he says.
“Ronan, what is this?” I ask, leaning away. “If I’m just your latest conquest—”
He puts his finger to my lips. “No, Selene. I told you that when this happened a second time, it wouldn’t be a mistake.”
I open my mouth, but I’m not sure what to say.