Page 153 of Sexting His Assistant

He looks at me for a beat. “The closet was an exception.”

“The closet was a crime scene.”

“You participated.”

“Under duress.”

His mouth moves faintly. “You asked for me.”

My face gets hot. “Lower your voice.”

“Nobody heard.”

“You don’t know that.”

“Meredith may know.”

I close my eyes for half a second. “I’m going to resign again.”

“No.”

“See? This is why we need rules.”

He steps closer, then remembers himself and stops before there is anything obvious for someone to notice. That small restraint should not affect me, but it does. Last night he would have crowded me until I forgot every sensible thought in my head.

“I have one condition.”

I knew it.

“Of course you do.”

“I’m taking you to the gala this weekend.”

For a second, I think I’ve misheard him.

Then I realize I have not, because Luka looks completely serious.

“No.”

“Yes.”

“Did you hear the last five minutes of this conversation?”

“Yes.”

“Then explain to me how taking me to a gala helps keep this secret.”

“You will attend as part of my executive staff.”

“That’s a very weak excuse.”

“It’s an excuse that works.”

“No, it doesn’t. Why me?”

“Because I want you there.”

My stomach does something stupid.