Thirst (The Calvettis of New York 1)

It’s a statement, not a question. Since I didn’t include that information on my pitch sheet, he’s also gone on a fishing trip online to find out more about me.

That shouldn’t excite me as much as it is. He’s considering investing in my company. It’s understandable that he would research my background.

I nod. “My boss likes me to be there by nine a.m., and since I took the day off yesterday, I can’t be late.”

I start to brush past him, but his words stop me. “Resign, Dexie. You should stop working at Matiz.”

***

“Resign?” I drop my hands to my hips.

I’ve been waiting to throw that word back at him for the past five minutes.

His phone started ringing as soon as he said that I should quit my job at Matiz.

I waited while he talked about setting up a meeting with someone named Silas to sign a contract.

He kept his eyes on mine during the call. I didn’t want to jump to any conclusions, so I took a few breaths to calm down.

We met yesterday. Why does he think he has a right to tell me to quit the job I love, or... at least like? I don’t mind going to Matiz five days a week.

“Yes,” he answers succinctly, as though that’s going to be enough for me.

“Why would I quit my job?” I ask as my gaze drops to my watch.

A shower is out of the question at this point. I’m going to have to run a brush through my hair, do a quick change of clothes, splash on some Matiz perfume and apply my makeup on the subway if I want to be at my desk by nine.

Thankfully, I usually only wear a light dusting of foundation powder, mascara and pale pink gloss on my lips. They’re all Matiz products.

He smiles. Those impossibly gorgeous lips of his part and his tongue slips out to moisten his bottom lip.

If that’s meant to distract me, it’s working.

This man is delicious.

“When we partner, I’ll need your attention twenty-four, seven.” He steps closer to me, lowering his voice. “I won’t tolerate any outside distractions since I’ll be investing so much into you.”

I stare at his mouth before my gaze slides to his eyes.

“If you want to be successful, you’ll need to put everything into our business,” he goes on, “I expect great things from you.”

“Great things,” I repeat back with a bob of my head.

I feel like I’m under a spell. If it’s like this now, how will I keep

my composure if we become business partners?

I shake off the daze I’m in. “I need to get to work.”

“You’ll think about what I said?”

I draw in a deep breath. “I need to consider my other options. You’re not the only one interested.”

“In you?” His dark brows draw together.

I answer the question with a smile, then turn and march into my building.

Chapter 19