you want from the store and I won’t push you for anything else. You have my word.’
Her throat worked and he ignored the shiver that ran through him wondering what it would have felt like if she’d done that around his dick. Hauling his head out of his pants, he focused on her frown, hoping that didn’t mean she was about to shoot him down again.
The thing was, he needed her to do this for him. Though he’d caught Georgia eyeing him up in the past, he’d never gotten the same vibe from her as he had from other members of staff who were attracted to him. There didn’t seem to be a needy bone in her body, and that was perfect, because a real relationship wasn’t something he wanted again.
‘I don’t understand why you can’t ask someone else. I doubt you’re hard up for a date.’
Her cheeks flushed with pink and he fought back a laugh at her admission. ‘I don’t want to ask anyone else. There’s no one I can trust to do this. You come in every day, leaving your personal life at the door. Well,’ He cocked a brow and she shuffled from foot to foot, remembering the email, ‘most of the time you do. I never see you gossiping with the others and you’re stunning. How could I not ask you?’
Max couldn’t believe how easy it was to say all this to a woman. He hadn’t dated since Clarissa, but being with Georgia was different. There was attraction, but not one she wanted to act on. Yet. But that was all there was between them. No pressure, no risk of falling hard and being rejected. Just pure lust.
And he knew she felt the same, so he wasn’t going to give up hope they could have a little fun. Friends and colleagues with benefits and clear boundaries. And he’d make sure he left her satisfied every time..
Finally, she spoke, ‘I’m not sure. I’ll need time to think about it.’
The smile froze on his face. ‘It’s tonight.’
Her glare would have had a weaker man bolting out the door.
‘Friday’s girls’ night.’
He held his hands up at her clipped tone. ‘Look, think about it. Like I said, you can take whatever you want from the store and I can pay you overtime. I’m only asking for tonight.’
She folded her arms again, but her expression smoothed a little. ‘And the next function? That’s in a fortnight isn’t it?’
Yeah, and there were also a few dinners and shows in the upcoming weeks, but he didn’t need to freak her out by telling her that now. ‘Let’s just see how tonight goes.’
Her jaw tightened. ‘I’ve not agreed to go.’
Max decided not to push further, but left her with something that may tempt her. ‘I have a meeting I need to get to. If you decide to come, email me and I’ll let the sales girls know you’re coming down. Sky’s the limit.’
Excitement glinted in her eyes and she pursed her lips like she was trying hard not to smile.
‘I’ll let you know soon,’ she said and the excitement was there in her voice too.
Since he was ninety percent sure she’d go with him, he decided it was time to leave before he said anything to get her worked up again. He opened the door, stuck his hands in his pockets and turned his back to her. He looked over his shoulder to see if she’d taken the bait and caught her staring at his ass with her lower lip trapped beneath her teeth. He wanted to grin, wanted to tell her she could have all of him if she wanted it, but forced himself to leave.
Max had no doubt he’d have Georgia where he wanted her. He just needed to tread carefully.
‘I can’t do it,’ Georgia told her friends.
Eloisa’s eyebrows almost hit her hairline. ‘You’ve got the dress, the shoes, the clutch and the jewelry. I don’t think he’ll be thrilled if you changed your mind now.’
Georgia looked down at the midnight-blue dress. She was worried her skin would look too pale in poor lighting, especially since she was a week late on her spray tan. She’d been tempted to get one on her lunch hour, but orange wasn’t sexy. Pity the tinted moisturizer hadn’t done much but give her a light glow.
But that was the least of her worries.
A car was due to pick her up any minute to take her to the ball and she was sweating off all her make-up.
‘Georgia, you agreed to go. If you’d told us first we could have talked you out of it, but you never said a word.’ The look Shey threw her made her feel like a spoiled brat, getting everything she wanted then deciding she didn’t anymore.
Which was pretty much true.
Georgia hadn’t told them until she got home. Max had been so unlike himself that she’d believed he wouldn’t push her, which had put her on a downer until he’d dangled pretty clothes bribes in front of her. She’d been excited about the prospect of shopping in Briggs with no price cap, and really what was one evening for a dress that cost more than she made a month? And there was more than that; she got the matching shoes and accessories any girl would forego her hairdryer for.
After doing a mental inventory of Briggs’ stock, there weren’t many functional brain cells left to think about ulterior motives. The doubt hadn’t kicked in until she left work and bumped into Max getting into his car. He’d winked at her and told her he couldn’t wait for tonight, but it had sounded way too suggestive.
It had all clicked into place for her then. He’d told her a load of bull so he could get her to go with him. Get her exactly where he wanted her, then turn on the sexy. It was getting harder and harder to resist him, but she would. After all, it was only one night…
Shey topped up Georgia’s wineglass and she swallowed half in one go. The buzzer sounded and she said, ‘Don’t let him in. I’ll meet him downstairs.’
‘You need to put your foot down with him,’ Shey said. ‘Unless…’
Georgia turned on her, ‘Unless what?’
‘Come on Georgia, you go on and on about how hot he is. Maybe fucking him will put you off him for good.’
‘And you said he was pretty clear on what it would and wouldn’t be, so there’s no real risk,’ Eloisa added.
Great, now they were both ganging up on her. Georgia stormed over to the door, snatching her clutch from the coffee table and handing Eloisa the glass as she passed. ‘You’re both idiots.’
‘We love you too,’ they chorused.
The buzzer went off again but Georgia didn’t wait for it to be answered. She took the elevator down and used the time to compose herself. She may want him, but not enough to embarrass herself further by sleeping with him. Whatever his agenda for needing a date to these functions, she’d treat it like she would any other day in the office. He was her boss, whether she stood by his side or not.
So by the time she strolled through the marble lobby, she was resolved. At least
