Total pages in book: 90
Estimated words: 88182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88182 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 441(@200wpm)___ 353(@250wpm)___ 294(@300wpm)
“To my princess, my assistant, the rock upon which I stand—“
“Not too far,” I warn, sensing he’s about to cross a line. “That was nice. Don’t make it awful.”
“Cheers.”
We lapse into a comfortable silence, which is unusual with Prime, since mostly he fills any gap in conversation with his favorite sound, which is his own voice.
But maybe I’m being too hard on him. Most of the time I see Prime as a shallow, frustrating, overly flirty meathead, and he’s still all of those things, but I caught a glimpse of what makes him successful. He was funny and made Sorensen the center of his universe. Prime’s attention is like a spotlight, like warm sunshine on a cool afternoon. It’s addicting the way he can treat a person like they’re the most interesting human in the entire world, and he turned the full power of his charm on tonight.
And it made me think. Business relationships are about money and numbers at their core. Why bother otherwise? But also, nobody wants to be linked to someone they actively despise and don’t want to be around. For a certain type of person, say a man who already has plenty of investments like David Sorensen, the quality of their partners is as important as the quality of their future return, at least to some extent.
Business relationships are also personal too, or they can be, and that’s why we made such a good team.
“I’ve been thinking,” Prime says, looking at his glass. He sips and I recall the way he kissed me that night. I push back against the idea.
“That’s a new one.”
He ignores my barb. “You’ve done good work lately, and I don’t remember the last time I gave you a raise. Are you satisfied with your salary?”
“Honestly? You pay me really well, but more money is always good.” I shift in my seat, pulse beating between my legs. “Why are you bringing this up now?”
“I want to make sure you’re happy, that’s all. I want to make sure I’m taking care of you.” He looks up from his bourbon and his expression is dark and tinged with hunger, like a pale shadow of his hooded, thirsty need from that night. It sends a shiver of recognition into my core and I unconsciously spread my knees.
“You’re not… doing this because of… you know.” I stammer awkwardly, not sure why I’m even mentioning it. Obviously this is about the deal we just closed! Except a part of me can’t let go of the suspicion that everything goes back to that night.
Prime grips his glass tight. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m just saying, we haven’t even mentioned that night, and now you’re offering to give me more money? Like you’re trying to keep me happy… and quiet.”
I think I finally crossed a line for a brief moment. He seems hurt. It’s an expression I’ve never seen on Prime’s face. But he quickly wipes it away, laughing to himself as he takes another sip.
“That’s deeply fucked up, Deanna. I’m insulted you think so little of me.”
“I shouldn’t have—“
“It’s fine.” He holds up a hand to stop my excuses. “You have every right to wonder.”
I roll my wine uneasily. “So is that what this is about?”
“No. It isn’t.” He faces me, oozing attractive charming. “I don’t regret what we did, but we were two consenting adults indulging in each other and nothing more.”
“Right. Nothing more.” Indulging in each other sends a thrill of desire down my spine. I have to resist that feeling. I don’t care how appealing I find Prime—he’s not my type and never, ever will be.
“This is about your performance tonight, but it’s also about… something else.” He clears his throat and hunches as he gestures for another drink.
“Something else?” I prod, but he doesn’t answer until he’s got a fresh bourbon in his hand.
“I need your help. Call it a second job. Something I can’t ask anyone else to do for me. You’re the most organized and serious person I’ve ever met, and I wouldn’t trust another living soul with this task. I’ll double your salary for the time it takes to get it done, and once it’s finished, I’ll continue to pay you twenty percent more than you’re making now.”
I almost gag on my wine. Double my salary?! Even for a few months, that could change my life. I’d be able to hire more help, afford better groceries, buy my dad clothes that actually fit, hell I could even put some away in savings—
But I force myself to calm down. God knows I need it, but warning lights are flashing all over. If Prime’s offering this much, whatever job he’s got for me won’t be easy.
“I’m interested,” I say as carefully as I can while my heart hammers into my throat. “What do you need me to do?”