Chapter Nine
Cole
I’m an asshole.
Top of the line, grade-A asshole.
I couldn’t resist her.
Without realizing what I was doing, I pulled her to me, the desire to kiss her overwhelming. But once I was close, it was like a switch flipped inside my brain, and logic came screaming out of its hiding place.
She looked flabbergasted. Like I’d slapped her in the face or something.
Recover yourself.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath and run my hands through my hair. “I’m sorry, that was a dick move. I just—” I look down into her big blue eyes, and I feel myself slipping again. “Never mind.” Stay focused. “We’re here for professional reasons, right?”
Addi blinks her eyes a couple of times before nodding. “Right.”
I lean down and pick up the check. She needs to take this.
I may be an asshole, and I may not believe in love and all that romantic bullshit, but I do believe in doing the right thing.
And when my crazy dog ruins someone’s expensive shit that’s important to them, I’ll replace it. Plain and simple.
“Take the check, Addi.”
“No. Don’t be ridiculous, Cole.”
My name on her lips does something to my insides. “How about I make you a deal? You take this check, and when you start making money from your artwork, you can pay me back?”
She bites her lip as she considers my offer, her arms folded across her chest. “Hmm, fine.” She reluctantly takes the check from me. “Now, tour please.”
I smirk. This chick makes me smile more than I’d like to admit.
After the grand tour of the shop and the apartment downstairs, I lead her to my desk. Time to talk business.
“No sex,” Addi blurts out, and my head jerks up. I can’t help but laugh. Not that she’s very shy, or maybe the alcohol opened her up more the other night, but it’s funny how she just puts it out there.
I want to have a little fun with her.
Why not?
Her sundress hugs her curves in all the right ways. I shift in my seat to make some room for my now growing dick.
Yes, Cole. Fuck me. Harder. Harder.
“No sex, huh?” I cross my arms and lean back. Sexual energy pops between us. “Not even a friends with benefits type deal?”
Addi grins. She knows our sex was fucking delicious. She’s fighting it just like me.
But who says we can’t fuck? No commitment, right?
Not a good idea, Cole. More fucking leads to feelings, which leads to nothing but trouble and broken hearts.
I want her so bad … I can taste her sweetness, her salty, sweet skin. My mouth waters.
“Is that such a good idea? Business and pleasure not mixing well and all that ...”