RISK(49)

I have a sweet spot on one of my teeth, not an entire tooth. It's likely going to take me the rest of my life to work through that gallon of ice cream he brought to my apartment. Adley and I have eaten a few spoons a day since he brought it over and there's barely a dent in it. Pastries are the last thing I need.

"I wasn't asking for me."

He nods at Eda which immediately sends her on her way out the door with another donut in her mouth.

He waits until she leaves us alone in the boardroom before he touches my cheek. "Who were you asking for?"

"Do you think the cleaning crew throws them in the trash?" I count just the tarts on the table. There are twenty two. There are at least twice as many small donuts and an entire chocolate cake that no one bothered to cut into. Most of the people at the meeting took a cup of coffee from the self-serve station beside the pastry table and sat down. They didn't even look in the direction of the tarts, donuts, cake or the delicious looking muffins that appear to have candied walnuts on top of them.

When I turn to look at him, he's studying me. There's a question in his eyes, so I wait for it, but he shakes his head faintly before he looks at the table. "They don't throw them out. I take the extra food after our meetings."

"You must really like donuts and cake." My voice is soft. "You also must work out like a madman to look as good as you do if you're eating ice cream and pastries all the time."

"I don't eat them all the time," he quips.

"You ate both the butter cookies we got from the street cart."

"I did?" He pops a donut in his mouth and chews. "Jesus, I'm a rude prick sometimes."

I raise an eyebrow. "They're very good cookies. I don't blame you."

"Blame me, Ellie." He taps his chest. "Tell me that I need to make it up to you."

"You don't." I reach out to cover his hand with mine. "Just tell me what you do with all this food. I'm curious."

He lifts my hand to his mouth, feathering his lips over my palm. "It's sent to a mission in Midtown. They distribute it to the people who need it. If we only deliver pastries, like we are today, I'll arrange for something more substantial to be brought in, so the people they help will have a well-balanced meal and dessert too."

His words bring a smile to my face. "You're not rude. You're one of the good guys."

"If you see me as a good guy, I'm doing something right." His voice is quiet. "Your opinion of me matters a great deal. I like knowing that you see that in me."

"I think a lot of people see that in you." I tug my hand away from his when I look toward the corridor beyond the open door. Matiz corporate employees stream past at a steady clip, each turning to glance our way. There's a grin on every face, just as there was during the meeting. "Everyone who works here seems very happy."

"I pay them to look happy." He raises his hand, jerking his thumb back in the direction of the door. "The second I'm out of earshot, they're bitching about me."

"You don't know that." I meet his eyes. "I think people who work for you genuinely like you."

"Including you?" He lowers his hand to my waist, his fingers pressing through the thin blue blouse I'm wearing causing my nipples to furl into firm points. "Do you genuinely like me?"

I nod as his gaze falls to my blouse. "I work for Crew, but, yes, I genuinely like you."

"I can tell. We're alone so feel free to show me how much you like me." The tone of his voice lowers as he steps even closer. My body heats, the flush racing over me. The need to touch him winds through me from my core. He's taunting me with my own desire for him.

I lean in, not wanting anyone passing the room to catch my words. "I'm not sucking your cock in this conference room, Nolan."

He stares at me, first my eyes and then my lips. His fingers bite into my skin through the blouse. "Don't tease me with that mouth, Ellie. You've made me hard."

I glance down. The outline of his erection is straining against his pants. "Don't tease me with that."

"I'm not teasing," he hisses the words out. "Don't think for a second that I won't lock that door and strip you naked. I'm not opposed to f*cking you on the conference table."

"I thought we were talking about you f*cking my mouth."

"Jesus." He runs the pad of his thumb over my bottom lip. "Come to my place at nine tonight. The place I took you to."

"You mean your shoebox?"

A soft smile crosses his lips. "Is that what we're calling it now?"

"You said it has sentimental value, so it's your shoebox."

"I suppose it is." He steps back as someone clears their throat in the doorway behind him. "That's Miller from Marketing. We have a meeting. If he's lucky, he'll have a job when it's over."

"Don't pretend you're not a nice guy, Nolan Black." I inch back on my heels. "I'll see you at the shoebox at nine."

"Nine sharp. I'll be there waiting for you."

"I'll try not to touch myself before then," I whisper. "No promises, though. You look extra hot today in that suit."