Chapter 7

Adrian holds Beth tightly as he leads her out of the bar and into his car. She allows him to hold her the entire ride to his house and she feels so delicate in his arms.

He hates to think of what might have happened if he hadn’t gotten there when he did. That bastard. He should have beaten him up there and then but he knew he had to get Beth out of that place first. He notices that her hands are trembling slightly and that her eyes are closed tightly. A wash of anger comes over him, but he forces his irritation to the side.

“Beth,” he says softly, hoping his voice bears no hint of the rage boiling within him. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah,” she croaks, avoiding meeting his eyes. She doesn’t say anything else the rest of the trip, she just stares blankly at nothing.

The car turns into Adrian’s private drive-in courtyard and stops in front of a towering arched entrance. He feels Beth stiffen in his arms as if she’s just realizing where she is. She pulls away from him and he feels a dropping sensation. He steps out of the car holding the door open for her. When she’s by his side, he leads her toward the entrance, where a security camera above follows their every move motion sensors.

A warm glow greets them when they walk into the double-height living area decorated with sculptures and artwork. The only sound is the click of shoes on the marble floors. He hangs his jacket on the coat rack in the foyer. When he spares a glance at her, he notices that she seems to have regained her composure. He walks to the kitchen and opens a cupboard pulling out two glasses.

“Can I get you something to drink?”

Without replying, she follows him to the kitchen, climbing up onto a sleek metallic-looking barstool. “How did you know where I was?”

“Does it matter?” he asks mildly, setting the glasses down on the granite countertops.

“Yes, it does! Have you been following me?” She stares at him in disbelief.

“Me personally? No.”

“Is that supposed to make me feel better? That you had someone else following me?” she demands, raising her voice.

When he doesn’t reply, she lowers her voice a bit and asks, “Why? Why did you have me followed?”

He draws in a neat breath between his teeth. “Aren’t you glad I did? If I hadn’t that jerk in the bar would have hurt you,” he says brusquely.

“I … I know and I’m thankful but it doesn’t make it okay.” Her hands are in fists on the countertops.

He sighs running his hand through his hair. He has no desire to anger her. The last thing he wants is to make her even more worked up after what she’s just been through.

“I’m sorry I’ve made you uncomfortable. That wasn’t my intention. But I took an interest in you.” He walks away from the counter and takes a step toward her. When he’s three inches away from her, he reaches for her hand. It feels so smooth in his. Her body tenses but she accepts his touch and doesn’t attempt to pull away.

“I’m sorry you had to go through that. I wish I had gotten there sooner.”

She’s looking at him now, her eyes look calmer now as they travel over his face.

“Am I forgiven?” he asks with a slight smile.

She blinks at him in confusion. He can tell he’s caught her off guard with his apology but he really does mean it.

Finally, she speaks. “Thank you for getting me out of there. I still don’t think what you did was okay but thank you for being there.”

“I appreciate your understanding,” he says and reluctantly lets go of her hand. He walks back to the other side of the counter and picks up the glasses. “So, do you want something to drink? Water? Something stronger?”

“Water is fine,” she answers in a quiet voice.

After filling the glasses with water, he opens the freezer and grabs a handful of ice cubes, dropping half in each of the glasses. He takes a long swallow from his glass before returning to her. He hands her the second glass. She nods a thank you as she takes it, her forehead wrinkled as if she’s thinking.

He relaxes into the stool opposite hers. “What were you doing at the bar?”

She pauses, her glass halfway to her mouth. She shifts in her chair with a look of unease. “I don’t think that’s something I have to tell you.”

He places his glass down gently. “You don’t have to do anything. But I would like to know.”

She looks pointedly at him as if daring him to question her. “I was there for a job interview.”

His brows lift slightly. “Don’t you already have a job? As a columnist?”

“I do.”

He waits for her to say more but she doesn’t. “So you wanted a second job?” he asks when she doesn’t offer more information.

“Yes.”

“Why?” he asks even though he knows there are very few reasons why someone would want a second job. He needs to have his suspicions confirmed so he can know how to proceed.

“Why do you think?”

He can’t help but smile at her retort, admiring how adorable she looks when she gets worked up. “You must know that I’m aware you lied about your name,” he says, wanting to keep the tension going.

Her eyes shoot up.

“Why did you do that? Are you hiding something?”

She looks completely uncomfortable now. “No.”

“So why’d you do it?”

She sighs and gives him a sideways glance. “Because I don’t want to be on the radar of someone like you.”

What she says almost stings. Almost. But he can’t blame her. She’s right to be wary of him.

“Well, you’re on my radar now and I want to help. I can’t have you putting yourself in a situation like what you just experienced.”

“What do you mean you can’t have me? Whatever situation I choose to put myself in is no concern of yours. I can handle myself just fine so quit trying to control me.”

His brows crease in a slight frown, He hadn’t meant to insult her. “Oh, I have no doubt that you can take care of yourself. I’m sorry if it came off as controlling. I merely mean that I’m willing to do whatever I can to help you avoid such dangerous situations. So if you need some money, I’ll be happy to give you.”

Her mouth drops open in surprise. “No way. I won’t accept it.”

“Why not?”

Her eyes widen. “Because I don’t know you! Also, that’ll be a lot of money and I’m not a charity case.”

“Not for me.” He’s not an idiot. He knows how it looks. It’s an extravagant gift from a stranger. She probably thinks he’s trying to get her in his bed. He is, but his offer is independent of that.

“But for me it is. It’s huge! And, again, you don’t even know me!”

“You’re overreacting.”

“I’m not!” She looks utterly frustrated.

“Okay.” He suspected that she’d reject his offer of money. He sits up. “Then I’d like to hire you.” He had no intention to go down this route, but he realizes now that this is the only way he’ll have an opportunity to be close to her. He’s breaking all his rules with this woman, acting outside his very nature. He’s not the type of person that makes decisions impulsively. He knows there’s also the option of asking her out on a date. But the idea is too absurd. He never dates. He’s not willing to break that rule. Yet.

“Oh.” She gapes at him, evidently baffled by his request.

“What exactly would I be doing?” she asks. “I’m a columnist and unless I’m missing something, you own a tech company.”

“I own other companies,” he says with a smirk and she actually rolls her eyes at him. “But I understand what you mean and trust me, that’s not a barrier. You could easily be integrated into many departments at Triad Technologies.

Maybe he’s blind, but as far as he can see, this is the best goddamn idea he’s ever had. He places his elbow on the counter. “As a matter of fact, the marketing department is thinking of initiating a new strategy that would require a communications specialist. And with your degree in journalism, you’ll be perfect for that position.”

“Do you honestly think I’m going to agree to go to work for someone who’s been stalking me? Or rather, had me stalked?”

He shrugs, intentionally refusing to address that particular concern. “It doesn’t have to be a permanent thing. The contract could last till the upcoming launch is complete. Then you can choose to work somewhere else. I could help you find a job. I have tons of contacts in the publishing industry. Of course, you’ll have to quit your current job.”

Her knuckles are nearly white from gripping her glass cup. Her heel is bouncing against the floor. She’s clearly nervous. Frankly, he is too. He needs her to accept his proposition. But it’s up to him to calm her nerves. He places his palm over hers. He marvels at the stunning warmth in this brief contact. He needs more… he must have more. She inhales sharply as he strokes his thumb along the back of her hand. He locks his eyes on hers, noticing her pupils widen. She wants to move back, he can see it, but she holds her ground anyway, ready to listen to whatever he has to say.

“What are you thinking?” he asks.

“That this is crazy.” She swallows, her hands trembling beneath his. He curls his fingers tighter around her hands and squeezed gently. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to decide now. You can take your time to consider it.”

Her bottom lip rocks as she chews at the inside of it.

His vision locks on to the movement like a heat-seeking missile. With effort, he forces his eyes back to hers. “I get it. I get why you’re nervous, and I get the kinds of things a leap of faith could cost you. But please, say you’ll think about it,” he murmurs. “At least give me that.”

She licks her lips, her chest rising and falling with her rapid breaths. Saying she’ll think about it isn’t a commitment. There’s nothing to say that she had to go through with anything, but it’s a step in the right direction.

“I’ll think about it,” she finally concedes. “I just need to know what you’re getting out of all of this.”

Honestly, he’s yet to figure it out himself but he can’t help but flirt around the other option that has probably crossed her mind. “Maybe I want you.”

She looks at him and shudders, and he adores that he has flustered her. She takes a sip of her drink.

“You look like you don’t believe me and that’s a shame. You’re extremely beautiful, Beth.” He isn’t sure where that came from. Well, obviously, he knows where it came from—it’s the truth. Truth he didn’t expect to come out of his mouth. He looks directly into her eyes hoping to show her that he means every word. When he finally breaks eye contact, he says, “But that’s not why I’m doing this. I’m not getting anything out of the ordinary from this. I’m simply offering a job to someone I believe is qualified for it. You’re good at what you do so I know you’ll be an asset to my company.”

She opens her mouth like she’s about to say something, but stops.

He can guess what’s causing her hesitation. “I’ll pay double whatever you currently earn.”

Her gaze shoots up. “That doesn’t seem practical. You don’t even know what I currently earn.”

He doesn’t reply. He just gives her a smile.

“Wait. You know what I earn?!” she shouts, her eyes widening. “How?”

“I never said that I do.” Of course, he does.

“I, uh, I’m feeling a bit overwhelmed. I need to go. You’ve given me a lot to think about.” She stands and he does too.

He leads her out of his penthouse and to the car where Ivan is standing with the door open. He stops her just as she’s about to go in.

“I apologize for overwhelming you. That wasn’t my intent. But I want you to know that whether or not you decide to accept my offer, I’ll find a way to be with you. I’m a man who gets what he wants. And I want you.”

She looks completely taken aback but she manages to whisper, “I’ll let you know what I decide.”

When he’s back inside, he slumps on his couch. He can’t remember the last time he cared about what someone thought of him. Yet here he is, not only craving to possess her body but her mind as well. He wants to be in her thoughts. He wants her as consumed with him as he is with her.

The idea both petrifies and excites him at the same time.