The Wrong Wife (Morally Grey Billionaires #5)(37)

But I don’t. Especially not when I’m unsure of what to make of my attraction to her brother. Not to mention how I’m beginning to hate this effect he has on me. Not that I’m going to tell her that. Instead, I nod and smile, because that’s what I’m best at, after all. I must put on a good show, for she smiles back. Her features relax. Clearly, she thinks everything is well in-hand. With a final wave at my nemesis over her shoulder, she walks out.

The door snicks shut. Silence descends. I glance across the desk to where Knight is watching me with intent. His green eyes have a hard edge to them. It’s as if he’s made up his mind. He reaches over, taps what must be a button on the side of his desk, and I hear an audible click. I stiffen and glance over my shoulder at the door, then back at him.

He nods. "It’s locked. Neither of us is leaving until we thrash this out."

My heart jumps into my chest. My pulse rate skyrockets. I take a step back, my knees hit my chair, and I sit down.

"Good girl."

Instantly, the flush blooms across my skin. I will not be moved by his praise. Or by his dirty talking. I will not. I’m here to do a job, and only because he pays my salary, and for my mother to stay in the home she loves. So what, if his style of working is unconventional and he steps over the line on occasion—I wince. Yeah, typical of a situation where the boss takes advantage of his employee—only, I don’t not want him to do so. Only, I enjoy it too much when he does. Only, he’s going to get married soon, and then what? I’ll be the sidepiece? Nope, no way. I have more pride than that. I need to preserve that part of me I’ve never shared with anyone. I need to hold myself in check around him. I need to… get through this list and get the hell out of here.

I grab my pen and begin to write. My fingers fly over the paper, and the words appear. I’m conscious of him tracking my movements, but I don’t stop until I’ve filled the page. Then, I push it over to him.

He reads it, then scowls. "What’s this?"





20





Knight





"Your list of qualities you’re looking for in a wife?" she retorts.

I take my time reading through the list.



Must be a virgin.

Must be ready to have sex anytime.

Must be meek.

Must be organized and able to manage the household.

Has no original thoughts of her own.

Must be good-looking—ideally, model-thin?

Must be ready to spawn right away.

Must make sure the world revolves around me.

Has no personality of her own.

Must be dumb enough to marry me.





"So, that’s what you think I’m looking for, hmm?"

"I know that’s what you’re looking for." Her voice is smug.

Without looking up, I turn the sheet over and begin to write. I take my time, and the seconds stretch.

She moves around in her seat.

I ignore her.

She taps her fingers on the table. "Is this going to take long?"

"You have somewhere else to be, Ms. Easton?"

"N-no," she stutters.

I keep writing, and she continues to fidget. When I raise my gaze to hers, it’s to find she’s biting her nails. She flushes, then lowers her hand. "Sorry, bad habit. I do it when I’m nervous. I also talk too much when things are too quiet, but you know that."

I place my pen down on the desk, then push the paper across to her.

She blinks. "What’s this?"

"Why don’t you read it out aloud?"

A wrinkle appears between her eyebrows, then she does as I asked.

"Number one. Must be a virgin." She huffs. "What a surprise you kept that in. Number two. Will be ready for me anytime, anyplace, especially in a public place." She freezes. "A public place?"

"Nothing like a little bit of exhibitionism to keep things fresh."

She bites down on her lower lip, and my gaze lowers to her mouth. "That arouses you, hmm?"

"What? No. Of course, not." She squirms around in the chair and my lips twitch.

Clearly, she’s lying, but I’m not going to call her out on it… Yet. Also, this is the most fun I’ve had since… My smile fades…Since the time I hung out with Cade and Declan before I left on my mission. I’ve avoided them since. Fact is, I’m not ready to meet them.

Life changed for them while I was away. They’re married and happy and I’d, no doubt, burst the bubble of their contentment with my unsociable mood. No, I’m not ready to hang out with my friends yet. Her though… She’s different. And she’s not a friend. She’s… An employee? A paid lackey? A woman who keeps my interest engaged and is so entertaining to be with, I’m able to push to the back of my mind the ordeal I went through. A woman I need to keep my distance from. A woman I need to fuck and get out of my system? I stiffen. Now, that’s a possibility.

She continues reading. "Number three. Will challenge me and go toe-to-toe with me—" She jerks her chin in my direction. "You want someone who can challenge you?"

"It’s what keeps things interesting." I raise a shoulder. "If someone gives in too quickly, where’s the excitement in that?"