“That wasn’t manipulation. But if it makes you feel better to think of it that way, cool.”
“Then let’s go with the time you gave me a raise so I didn’t—”
“Paige.”
She squares her shoulders to me. “What, Nate?”
I scratch my scalp as if the friction will somehow clear the fog from my brain and make my decision easier. Paige is in my office because she knows that out of all The Gold Room staff, I am the only one she’s close enough to, and has the space available, to ask for a place to stay. There’s only one solution to this problem. We both know that. But having her stay with me …
It’s a recipe for disaster.
I drop my hands. “I have a seven-year-old son, remember?”
“Yes. Ryder. Pretty sure he loves me.”
She puts her hands on her thick hips again like she’s won.
I should do the reasonable, respectable thing and tell her no. The two of us have never been alone, and the thought of that happening—in the privacy of my house—would be the greatest gift in the history of the world … if things were different.
But they aren’t, so I should rent her a hotel room for a couple of weeks and call it good.
Just as I’m opening my mouth to say a version of that scenario, the script in my brain changes.
“You can’t bring guys around my house,” I say. “And you can’t be coming and going at all hours of the night.”
“Of course and fair.”
“And you can’t be naked. My kid can’t be walking in and seeing you in lace fucking panties.”
Her eyes sparkle with mischief as she sashays her way toward me. “What about you? What if you walk in and see me bent over—”
“Stop.”
She rolls her eyes but surprisingly listens to me. She turns back to my desk and fills a purse with a few cosmetics. “Why are you like this?”
“Like what?”
“The way you are?”
Because I want what’s best for you, and that sure as shit isn’t me.
“Because you’re too young and too mixed up to know what’s good for you,” I say. It’s time to change the subject. “I lock the doors and go to bed at midnight. Be in by then or find another place to sleep.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
I adjust myself again. “Paige …” I warn.
She giggles. “I’m sorry. I’ll behave. Promise.”
You don’t know what behave even means, you little minx.
“I’ll see you tonight,” she says.
“Can’t wait.”
She opens the door. “Your sarcasm is noted and unappreciated.”
Her laughter follows her out the door.
I walk across the room and sit at my desk. My exhale is long and comes from a place deep inside me. I’m about to start tossing her things in her bag when a knock comes through the room.
“Yeah?” I grumble. I reach under my ass as I look up and see Shaye.
“Hey,” she says, looking around my office. “What happened in here?”
I pull my hand up, and a red bra is twirling around my fingers. The fabric is smooth and silky and does nothing for the temperature raging inside me.
“Paige,” I deadpan.
Shaye laughs. “Well, you work fast.”
“Trust me, it’s not that. I had no idea she was in my office.”
I don’t know why Shaye finds this so amusing, but her laughter is loud.
“I love that girl,” she says, grinning. “I’m out of here. Need anything before I go?”
“A lobotomy.”
Her grin grows wider. “I might enjoy that a little too much.”
“Get the hell out of here. Tell Oliver I said hi.”
“Will do.” She backs out of the room. “Tell Paige I said hi.”
“You’re pushing it.”
She laughs again. “Yeah, I’d hate for you to get mad and fire me. How would I ever survive?”
“Why does everyone do exactly as I say except for you and Paige?”
“I don’t think that’s true. Case in point—Murray. How many times have you fired him, and how many times has he come back?”
I just stare at her.
She grins. “I do what I want because I can. Paige, though?” Her grin slips into a smirk. “She presses every button she can find until you let her start undoing them instead.”
I grip the bra and squeeze.
Paige has made it quite clear that she’s interested in me, and for some reason, Shaye seems to think that’s a good thing. It’s not.
I have enough on my plate. Too much sometimes. And Paige? Beautiful, hundred-miles-an-hour Paige?
Not only is she too young for me, but I have Ryder to consider. He needs stability. Consistency. Guidance. I can’t take my attention away from him and give it to someone else … even if it’s the sexy bombshell who takes over my office. Naked.
I clear my throat. “Well, that’s not gonna happen, so I better get used to being pressed, huh?”
“Whatever you say.” She giggles as she grabs the door handle. “This is going to be so much fun.”