Seven Nights of Sin (Penthouse Affair #2)

“You know . . . you’re inexperienced. With a woman who’s been around the block, it’s more okay to play a little fast and loose, because she knows what she likes and doesn’t like, and she won’t be afraid to call a time-out.”

“But I did tell you to stop,” she fires back, crossing her arms over her chest. “Doesn’t that prove I’m capable of holding my own?”

I would laugh at her trademark resolve if I weren’t rapidly approaching exasperation. “I’m trying to apologize for not treating you better.”

“I know. And I appreciate that. I just need to know you see me as an equal. I don’t want you handling me with kid gloves. I agreed to this”—she waves a hand as she searches for a word—“arrangement of my own free will.”

“Even a casual partner still deserves to be treated right.”

She nods slowly, like she’s confused over my choice in words.

I tip my head toward the celling and draw a deep breath before meeting her eyes again. “So, would you like to go to dinner with me?”

She stares back at me for a moment before softening. “Yes. That sounds really nice.” Her expression turns the tiniest bit mischievous. “But it’s still not a date, right?”

I keep a poker face. “Right.”

“Just wanted to make sure. I’ll get dressed,” she says, then heads into the bathroom to get ready.

I should feel better having gotten that apology out of the way, but somehow I don’t. I only feel more confused.

• • •

oysters on the half shell and roasted vegetables

over the past two days, it doesn’t feel at all like work. It’s easy and fun, and highlights all the aspects of this job

so easily into each other’s wavelengths that our collaborating feels effortless. It’s nice. Relaxing, even. With a business partner

of restricting her to my bed—she’s too valuable an

tongue until I’m rambling about my most unlikely dreams. “Someday we’ll be worldwide.” I smile, taking the last sip of my wine. “An Aspen property in every country—or at least one

smiles at me over her glass

and joke, “Sure,

penguin-watching tours,” she says

together with her. When was the last time I felt so good? Probably right before I found that fucking Genesis stuff in her bag. The worst of that is behind us now . . . but still, I can’t deny it was a useful wake-up call, pulling us apart before we got too entangled. Too invested in a

the other hand, I really need to start trimming back my hours. I

If you find good people to delegate to,”

“Maybe. Easier said than done,

and I’m not even their parent.” She gets a weird look

didn’t take it that way. What about you? How’s your family?” She rarely mentions her father—one of the many things we have in

and . . .” She giggles. “He keeps talking about this guy. Every time we talk, it’s Elijah said this, Elijah did that, or oh

chuckle. “Are they

her last bite of dessert, she asks way too casually, “Speaking of relationships . .

challenging me. Like she always does. “I don’t see how I could fit any more

soon as the words are out, I wonder why I avoided the question instead of just saying, No, I’m not looking for some big romantic love affair. For some reason, I’m reluctant to shut her down cold. Even though I really should, because there’s no way anything beyond sex can happen

much ahead of her. I’m jaded and overworked, and am barely getting by with the two ladies who need more of my time than I have to give at the moment. It would be foolish of me to pretend we

could always ask the cards for