He stroked my cheek. “Never. But I should have waited until we were out of the office. I messed up, but I promise I will fix it.”
His tone was serious, his expression sincere.
“Okay.”
“You trust me?”
“Yes.”
He kissed me. “That’s all I need to know. Now, let me get you out of here.”
He strode in the room, tossing down the phone and kissing me.
“Good news or bad?” he asked.
“Bad first.”
“You’re fired.”
“Hardly a surprise. What’s the good
news?”
“I got you a new job. A much better one.”
“Oh?”
He grinned and sat beside me, rubbing my legs. “Several years ago, my lawyer added a clause in my contract I’ve never used and had forgotten about.”
“Which is?”
“It’s long and technical, but basically, if I don’t like the PA the company provides for me, I can hire my own.” He smirked. “You take orders from me now, not that cow Michelle. You are my direct employee.” He winked. “And unlike Parson’s—I highly encourage fraternization.”
My eyebrows shot up. “What? But what if they don’t agree to your choice?”
He shrugged, confident. “They will. I told them it was that, or I was gone. I have a thirty-day departure clause in my contract and I will use it.”
“But, your career—your reputation,” I protested. “You signed a lease for this place—you just moved here for this job!”
He tilted his head with a frown. “This place, my job, is nothing compared to how this affects you. Us. That’s the important thing here, Mandy.” He brushed a piece of hair off my cheek. “I’m putting you first. Us first.”
I gripped his wrist. “But—”
He shook his head. “No buts. You. First.”
“Why?” I asked, my throat tight.
“It’s a job. I’ll get another one if it comes down to that. And I don’t give a flying fuck about my reputation. Frankly, I’m sought-after enough that I don’t care. What I do care about is making sure you’re okay, and that we can be together.” He kissed me. “All of that is noise, Mandy. What I feel for you, what I think is happening between us—that’s what’s real. What is important.”
I blinked at him. “I think—I think I’m falling in love with you, Mitch.”
He tapped his head. “Good. Then my plan has worked. Because as crazy as it sounds, I’m already in love with you.”
“Slowing your roll, I see.”
He winked. “You know it.”
He cupped my face. “I’m making you a promise right now. Honesty and you first. Always.”