Bet On It: An Age Gap Billionaire Office Romance(23)

I took a breath. "Hear me out. This time, the bet won't involve a raise, or promotion, or anything related to your job. I promise I won't touch you, and at the end of the bet, I’ll pay triple your salary to the charity of your choice."

I was feeling desperate to keep her from walking away while at the same time, agreeing with her that I'd lost my mind. I had to face it—what happened just now was inevitable from the moment I brought her to have lunch at my private dining area.

Our having sex was bound to happen.

Hell, it was probably bound to happen the moment I asked her to work for me. A smart man would let her go. He’d let her quit her job, as I was sure she wanted to do. A part of me thought I should let her. After all, the problem we were having was that I was her boss. If she didn’t work for me, we could be together.

But that wasn’t what she wanted. Sure, she’d climbed into my lap, released my dick, and ridden me to paradise, but what she really wanted was the job as my head of social media marketing. She’d earned it. She’d done well in school and worked hard, her job history showing deliberate strategic moves up the corporate ladder. The position with my company was perfect for her, and her for it, and I'd be a selfish bastard to get in between her and her goals, especially since her career was the most important thing in her life right now.

And why shouldn’t it be? She was still young. At twenty-five, she had time to think about things like family. I was the old fogey who’d already achieved his success in two careers. My life was in a different place from hers, and if I were any sort of man, especially one who found himself drawn to her in a way beyond lust, I would support her. I was in a position to make her dreams come true, not by giving her the world or making her a trophy wife, but by supporting her career.

It was also clear that she didn’t trust me. A part of me wanted to point out that she was the one who climbed into my lap, but that would be petty. I searched my brain, looking for something I could say that would change the look in her eyes from regret to a smile.

She continued to stare at me like I’d grown a third eye or horns on my head. That was probably how she saw me. Like the devil who’d seduced her.

Finally, she shook her head and picked up her purse. "I can't do this." She stood, and after giving me a look of despair, she turned and left the room.

I had an urge to go after her, but what for? In the end, I'd probably only make it worse. And besides, it wasn't like I wasn't used to women walking out on me.

I turned my attention back to my lunch, eating only because I knew it would be best for Analyn if we didn't arrive back at the office together. I was the dirty little secret that she didn't want anyone to know about. Who gave a fuck if that hurt my feelings?

I finished my meal and then took my time returning to the office. I was barely out of the elevator when Catherine met me, her mouth in a grim line and her jaw tight as she forced a smile. It was a sure sign that she was upset with me but was trying to hold it in.

"You're late for a video conference call.”

Who cares? "I'm here now." I made a U-turn, heading toward the larger meeting room where we held videoconferences.

"Where were you? I was calling." She walked with me.

"Having lunch." Hadn’t I told her that when I left? I was pretty sure I had, so why was she asking?

"Was it a business meeting? Or . . . a date?"

It's none of your fucking business. “Do you have what I need for the meeting?"

She was quiet for a moment but then finally said, "It's already on the table."

"Thank you." As I strode past the marketing department, I glanced into the area, relieved to see Analyn at her desk. It didn't look like she was packing up, so maybe she was going to stay.

I hoped now that she did stay, although my reasons for it were in contrast to what she wanted. I wanted to be around her, get to know her, and support her goals. To that end, I needed to do everything I could to keep my hands to myself. My feelings to myself. Ugh! Cupid was a fucking sadist.





12





Analyn





I totally and completely lost my mind. I’d had sex in a restaurant! How did that happen?

I blamed Reed, even though I knew that was unfair. He didn't undo his pants and pull out his dick. I did that. Hell, I was the one who climbed into his lap and sank over him and rode him like my life depended on it.

But he's the one who fed me, and then kissed me, so it was his fault, right? I wanted to put all the blame on him, but I knew that I was culpable as well. I could have pushed him away. I could've said no. But I didn't. Like before, I got swept up in his charm and status. The guy had his own dining area in a restaurant. I didn't even know that sort of thing existed.

But good God, what if someone had walked in on us? I was really enjoying my job, and the last thing I wanted was to be considered the office slut. Fear of that had me nearly packing up my belongings and quitting the job. It seemed clear now that I couldn't resist Reed, and apparently, he couldn't resist me either.

That thought sent a little thrill of happiness through me, but I tamped it down, knowing that our attraction didn’t mean anything and all it would lead to was humiliation.

I glanced over toward the meeting room where Reed was sitting as someone on a video screen spoke. Reed was the epitome of a sexy boss. He was sharp, shrewd, and confident. He was the last person I should be falling for.