“I have an office.” He grabbed the back of Isa’s chair and yanked her closer. “I have an assistant.”
Another kiss left them both breathless.
“You smell good, Sable.”
“So do you.”
They shared a moment of silent appreciation, one that he ended with another kiss he couldn’t resist stealing.
“I don’t expect you to stay forever,” he told her, suspecting her mind went down that same path.
“No?”
“No. Stay until I wrap up Refurbs. Finish my unfinished business.” His thoughts jetted to Benji’s widow. Michelle was unfinished business, and until he’d checked her off his mental to-do list, he wasn’t willing to let Isa go. Her being here in any capacity gave him the strength and courage to do what needed to be done.
What an odd realization. But nonetheless true. Isa made him better in every way.
“Is that a demand?” Isa raised an eyebrow. “I didn’t hear a question mark at the end of that statement.”
He released her chair and sat back in his. “Not a demand.”
It wasn’t fair to keep her longer than she preferred. God knew he wasn’t one to sink his hooks into anyone. As a man who’d made most of his life about fighting for freedom, he would never restrict Isa from spreading her wings.
“A request,” he said.
“In that case, I’m glad to stay.” She fiddled with her ink pen and avoided his eyes. “And if you need me to help with your transition to COO, I’ll stay a little longer.”
“You’d do that?” He hadn’t meant to ask, but her offering to stay when he knew she had more to do than answer to his whims was humbling.
“Of course.” Whiskey-brown eyes hit his and held, as if there was no question she’d continue showing up simply because he wanted her to be here.
He liked how she was willing to stay. With him. To see things through. He wondered how long it would last as much as he wondered why he wanted it to so badly. He’d long lived a temporary lifestyle where relationships were concerned.
His ex had lived with him, but his commitment hadn’t extended further than companionship. With Isa, he felt the low hum of possibility in the center of his chest. That hum enthralled him.
And Eli Crane wasn’t easily enthralled.
“Whatever you think is best.” He stood up from the chair and kissed the top of her head and swaggered toward his bedroom—How about that? A swagger—to grab a shower and dress for dinner.
He paused in the hall and turned back to Isa, who was jotting something else into her open planner.
“Sable.”
She blinked up at him.
“Do you have plans for dinner?”