God, I might be able to lease space next month and start taking students while I continued working here.
“Would I be able to still work here after the month is up?”
His jaw ticked and he hesitated. “No. But you will have enough money not to have to.”
Fair enough. It wasn’t as if I’d be sleeping with him. And I had no interest in real dating anyway after David, so I wasn’t missing out on meeting someone else.
“Can I think about it?”
He chuckled. “No.”
“Why not?”
“Because I let you think about it, you’ll come up with a million excuses not to take it.”
“And for good reason.”
“No. Excuses are never for good reasons. They’re excuses.” When I opened my mouth to refute the point, his thumb grazed over my lower lip. “Besides, you already know the answer.”
It pissed me off that he was right. I did know. I pulled back as his hand fell to his side. “No kissing. Or touching.”
He shook his head. “We’re dating. Touching is mandatory.”
“Okay, but not like that.”
The corners of his mouth twitched. “Like what?”
I frowned. “Like that. Touching my lip like that.”
“Does that bother you, Savvy?”
“Yes.” It made my knees weak and was way too intimate.
He laughed and the rumble sank deep inside me like an anchor. And damn it, it was good hearing Killian laugh. “Okay. No thumb grazing across your lips.”
“And I want three nights a week at the club dancing.”
“Two,” he said. “I’ll give you half the money now and half at the end of the month.”
“Three,” I pushed.
“Fine. Three. But Saturday nights are mine.”
He brushed by me and opened the door. Luke stood there, and I wondered if he heard the conversation. But his face was stoic and I couldn’t tell.
“I want word spread she’s with me.”
Luke gave an abrupt nod.
“Make sure she gets home safe.” Killian turned to me. “Do we need paperwork on this?”
I shook my head.
“Good. I’ll be in touch.” And then he walked out.
I had no time to process everything that just happened as Luke said, “The car is in the back alley. I’ll drive you home.”
The car? I had my own car and could get home fine, but Luke was already gone and walking down the hall.
I hurried after him, noticing the club was slowly dying down as people filtered out since drinks were no longer served after two. The music played, but it was softer.
Luke waited for me at the bottom of the stairs then kept close to me as we merged with the patrons, his body a barrier from anyone banging into me. Greg appeared and nodded to Luke and me, then came with us to the side door where I’d snuck out the other night.
“You convince him, Hijack?” Greg asked.
I wouldn’t call it convince, but I had the job. “Yeah.”
He winked at me. I offered a hesitant smile because I wasn’t too sure yet if I was crazy for agreeing to date Killian. But a month wasn’t a long time. And it was twelve grand. I’d be stupid not to take the offer, although I was still leery on his reasoning.
Luke opened the door to a black limo. “Actually, I have my own car. It’s in the parking lot across the road.”
“Give your keys to Greg. He’ll follow in it.”
“Why?”
Luke’s brows knit together. “So, you have it for tomorrow.”
“No, I mean why don’t I just drive my own car home, since it’s here and it’s my car.”
“Kite wants to make sure you’re home safe.”
“And he gets what he wants?”
Luke’s lip twitched, but he didn’t say anything.
Hmm, well, I could suck it up, get in the car and be taken home in style. Or I could fight it and lose the battle. And by the look of Greg and Luke, I’d definitely lose, and be tossed in the car and be taken home in the limo anyway.
I shrugged. “Fine.”
“Your address?” Luke asked.
I smiled. “You’re his security. I have a feeling you already know.”
He snorted, and by the pull at the corners of his mouth, it looked like he was trying not to laugh. But I did hear him mutter “smartass” under his breath. I didn’t give him my address, and he didn’t ask again.
Greg held out his hand for my keys. I dug into my purse and pulled them out. I took off my house key and handed the car key over. “She’s the rusty brown one. Be careful with her. You treat her rough, she might fall apart.”
He laughed. “Women fall apart in my hands all the time. Rough or not.”
I rolled my eyes, and Luke’s hand came down on Greg’s shoulder drawing him back. I didn’t know what Luke said to him, but Greg’s smile vanished then he jogged off to get my car.
I slid onto the posh leather seat and Luke strode back, shut my door then drove me home. When he opened the door for me and I got out, he didn’t look pleased. Actually, he shook his head with a scowl.