Page 13 of Pearl

He’s right. Of course he’s right. We really can’t do this.

“It’s not the age gap.” Even I can hear the tremble in my voice. “It’s because of Phoebe, and that is perfectly understandable. It wouldn’t be right.”

Saying the words guts me.

“I wish it weren’t this way.” There’s a note of frustration in his voice. “I really fucking wish for a lot of things, but I have to step away.”

I don’t want these pesky tears to form in my eyes. I’m made of tougher stuff than this. Instead, I nod. “I agree. It’s for the best. I’m flattered; you’re an attractive man, Mr. Sterling.”

His gray eyes seem a little darker when they meet mine again. “Didn’t I say not to call me that?”

Why do his words go straight to my core? More to the point, why do I imagine him punishing me for calling him that? Maybe I hit my head harder than I thought?

“You did, but maybe I’m not the kind of woman who likes to listen.”

Our eyes meet once more, and the conflict I find waiting in them triggers my heart all over again.

CHAPTER 6

DECKER

“What kind of woman are you?” I’m hesitant to know the answer, but intrigued all the same.

“I’m not as brave as you might think.” Her honesty surprises me.

“Why would I think that?”

“Because I should ask you to leave, yet it’s the last thing I want.”

I blink, her words not really registering. “If I were a gentleman, I would’ve left by now.”

“But you didn’t even make the coffee yet,” she jokes.

Is it just me, or did the air in here suddenly become fucking electric?

“You’re right, not very neighborly of me, is it?”

Her lips part, but she doesn’t speak.

It prompts me to ask, “What were you going to say?”

She fidgets in her chair, and I’m thrilled I make her nervous. Not that I want to make her nervous, but when it comes to flirting, Pearl is most definitely a rookie.

And you shouldn’t be flirting.

I set about making the coffee, waiting for her to answer.

“Honestly?”

I chuckle, my back to her as I pour the hot water into the cups. “Of course.”

She lets out a long puff of air, then says, “All the things I can’t have.”

My dick hardens in response—something I’m used to when I’m around her—in fact, she’s the only fucking woman I seem to be able to get it up for. “What can’t you have, Pearl?”

I turn with the cups in my hand, sliding one over as she thanks me softly. Boldly, her eyes lift, and there’s challenge in them. “Okay, I’m about to make a complete idiot out of myself, but I need to know⁠—”

“You’re not an idiot,” I interject. “So don’t ever say that.”