Free Burned Deep by Calista Fox Page B

decorate it however you want. I thought it’d give you a better point of reference than an empty room.”
    â€œNo,” I said as myriad emotions pressed in on me, all too overwhelming to dissect or process. “This is stunning. I wouldn’t change a thing.”
    He’d captured my attention. Big-time.
    It was way over the top, of course—that seemed to be his style. Best of all, I had my own showstopping chandelier.
    â€œSo … what do you think?” he asked as he guided me to the sofa against the wall and I sank onto the plump cushion. Oversize pillows filled the corners, one set piled atop a luxurious satin pale-gold quilt that was arranged artfully at an angle.
    â€œI think I’m afraid to see what your office looks like.”
    He chuckled.
    Yes, I was back to being awestruck. There was no escaping it when it came to Dane. “This is all so incredible.”
    He stood alongside me, his hands in his pockets. “I haven’t even given you the grand tour of the resort yet.”
    I must have stared up at him invitingly, because he eased onto the seat next to me.
    â€œI think I can trust you, Ari. That’s what I need. Everything built around the grand opening is extremely important and confidential. And that event—every facet, the absolute smallest details—has to be perfect. ”
    Yeah, no pressure there.
    I swallowed hard. He draped an arm along the back of the sofa and leaned in as his gaze captured mine. He was so close, the moment turned intimate. I could feel him all around me. Smell him. A hint of sandalwood mixed with his heat. An erotic scent.
    My breathing was sparse, because all I had to do was inch the tiniest bit forward and our lips would touch.
    My gaze dropped to his mouth. I absently nibbled my lower lip. Then raised my eyes to meet his again.
    I wanted him more than I’d ever wanted anything—including an enormous office, the title to match, and a paycheck and budget with too many zeros.
    My pulse continued to race. But my mind was absurdly clear. “We’re mixing business and … pleasure?”
    His jaw clenched. “You haven’t said yes yet.”
    To his offer? To whatever was causing my heart to beat wildly?
    â€œYou’d be my boss,” I pointed out.
    â€œAnd what we do behind closed doors is strictly between us.”
    A little red flag waved in front of my face. “What if something goes wrong?”
    I didn’t have to be specific—he was astute enough to know I was talking about sex, not the job. Though that was of concern as well. If I took him up on his offer, I wouldn’t be able to afford losing the paycheck, since I’d have to give up independent weddings and bridal shows. I’d no longer have that source of income. I’d have to start fresh, mining for brides. He had to know this was all a huge risk.
    Did he care? Or was his need to draw me into this world of his too great? And … why me ?
    He swept a wayward curl from my cheek. His skin was warm. Soft. I sucked in a breath. And involuntarily shrank back.
    Tension instantly radiated from him. “Sorry,” he murmured. He stood in a swift move. “That’s going to be a problem.”
    â€œIt just happens,” I said in sort of a floundering way. I stared up at him, my stomach twisting. “There’s nothing for you to apologize about. It’s just—” I gave a small shrug. “I get a little uncomfortable. Sometimes.”
    He eyed me closely for endless seconds, obviously trying to interpret everything about me. Maybe I wasn’t normal after all. Wouldn’t most women want this sort of attention, especially from him ? Particularly when they lusted after him in turn?
    Yet somehow, the reality of him touching me—someone so anti-intimacy, while he clearly fought his aggressive nature—was a difficult wall to scale.
    Finally tearing his gaze away, he spun around and