“Okay.” My stomach clenches.
“My father wants me to get married within the year, or he won’t give me the company. I don’t want you to hear that from someone else and think that’s why I’m jumping so fast into a relationship with you.”
“I see.” I gnaw on my bottom lip.
“He brought it up a few weeks ago when we first saw each other. But that’s not why I’m with you.” He licks his lips and swallows hard over his Adam’s apple. “I’m not pushing for us to get married or anything like that. His deadline is months away, but I wanted you to see where I work and learn about the business. Since I was a kid sitting on my grandfather’s lap, this office was destined to be mine.”
“What happens if you decide you don’t want that type of relationship with me in 12 months, or your father doesn’t approve of me?” His parents won’t approve of me, leaving me responsible for him losing everything he’s worked for. God, I’m going to be sick.
“Babe, we’ve got all the time in the world.” He smiles and lifts me up until my legs are wrapped around him. “I wanted to tell you this first before I say the next part because I don’t want anything to ever come between us.”
Lord, if things keep getting heavier in here, I’ll pass out.
“Daisy, I love you.”
My mouth drops open, and I stare at him for ten seconds. Twenty seconds. Shit. It’s been thirty seconds. I snap my mouth closed. “Um….”
He wrinkles his nose. “Well, that’s not exactly how I anticipated this going.”
“I’m sorry.” A giggle erupts from my lips, and I lace my fingers through his hair. “I’m trying to figure out how this is my life. It’s surreal. I love you, and I don’t want anything to ever come between us, either. But I’m not going to lie, I’m worried about what will happen if your father disapproves and you’re forced to give up the company.” Or choose the company over me and break my heart. “But I’m glad you brought me here to explain why it means so much to you. You have my complete support.”
“Good.” He waggles his eyebrows. “Now, for the good stuff. I distinctly remember reading a passage from one of your books that included an office window, and I think it’s time to play a naughty game.”
I shudder. Am I ready for this? We’ve read some filthy passages.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Alexander
“Which book are you thinking of?” Her eyes glow with a mixture of excitement and unease.
Unease? I frown. “What books do you read that I haven’t seen yet?”
“Well….” The expression on her face assures me that we’ve got years of material left to play out. “Forbidden and forced proximity are my favorites. But I also have an affinity for ménage.”
My jaw tightens. The one I read was a simple office romance with a possessive hero and dirty sex. I can live up to that one, but ménage? Not happening. “I’m not sharing you.”
“That’s not the kind I read.” She bites her bottom lip and waits.
Shit. Sharing me. Yeah, that’s less likely to happen. “You’ll need to leave your filthy fantasy life to just that. Your imagination. I’m not–”
“I’m teasing you.” She laughs until tears fill her eyes. “I read all kinds of books, but I’m only looking for one, you.”
“That’s better.” I slam my mouth against hers and kiss her until all thoughts of make-believe heroes disappear. I don’t want her to have anyone else in her head when she’s with me. Even her fictional characters.
I suck her bottom lip into my mouth and drop her feet to the floor. I want her in every way possible.
She tips her head back and stares into my eyes. “I love you.”
The expression of adoration on her face makes my heart pang in my chest. If I didn’t know better, I’d think I was on the verge of a heart attack.
“Baby, I love you.” I step back, cross my arms over my chest, and arch my eyebrows. “I was wrong.”
“About what?”
“Strip. I want you naked for anyone to see.” I want her exposed and embracing her inner strength.
Her eyes light up. “I believe I know which book you read.”