Page 5 of Emeric

Shaking my head, I said, “You wouldn’t need to do more than let it be known you were available, and they’d line up to date you.”

“Oh?” He cocked an eyebrow. I should have kept my mouth shut. I knew better, yet I wanted him to keep smiling. He was radiant. Too bad I didn’t lead us down the road of a safer topic.

I stepped closer and leaned past him to hit the button on the elevator. The faster it got here, the sooner I could leave. “I’m not here to inflate your ego, Oleander.”

He turned, his breath coasting across my cheek as I stood upright again. “I wouldn’t want false words from you, Emeric.”

“It’s a good thing, because I don’t use them.” The way he looked at me, like he could read my mind, had that shiver finally racing over my flesh.

“You’re an interesting man.”

“What I am is tired.”

The doors opened, and I stepped on, ready to stop this and my body’s reaction to him. Oleander had other plans. He entered the elevator, leaning against the wall beside me. My mouth remained shut, unsure what was happening.

“Are you attracted to me?” Oleander asked as the doors closed.

I was stunned silent. Of all the things he could have said to me, this wasn’t in the realm of what I’d guessed.

He grinned again, his lips hiking up on the side as I watched him. “You can tell me no.”

“I already said I don’t use false words.”

The elevator arrived in the garage, Oleander stepping off first, then waiting for me. My car wasn’t far, sitting in a parking spot. He walked with me until we were beside my car, away from the other guards. I leaned my back against the driver’s side door to face Oleander. I wasn’t one to turn away from a conversation.

He leaned in, his hands planting on the car on either side of me. “If you’re interested, I can meet you later.”

“And we’re defining this as…” I needed to understand what I was getting myself into.

“Right now, just acquaintances who find each other attractive and need a way to relax. You’re stressed from whatever is going on, and I’ve gone far too long without contact with another person.”

“This isn’t a good idea.”

“You work for Jordan Altair Sr., and fucking me concerns you? I’m not asking for a commitment, Emeric. Before you bring it up, Jordan doesn’t give a shit who we sleep with as long as it doesn’t impact our work. My shift is done at nine tonight. I’m free to do what I please.”

“You’ll still be on call.” I was aware of the demands of their jobs. They were rarely away from their phones. If Jordan needed them, they’d come, no questions asked.

“I’m not leaving the city. You don’t live far from here.” I’d ask how he knew, but Jordan’s top guards were aware of the details of everyone he dealt with.

“Be there at ten sharp. I need my sleep.” I turned, offering him my back while I carefully pushed him away with my body so I could open my door. The heat of him did things to me I wasn’t ready to act on. Tonight, I would.

I wasn’t sure what I was thinking. Maybe I wasn’t. Little sleep and a stressful day could do that.

I didn’t look at Oleander as I reversed out of the parking spot and put it in drive to leave the garage. Jordan might not care if his employees fucked, but I did. There was still time for me to decline. I could get his number and change my mind. I wouldn’t though. The idea of getting my hands on his bare flesh was too much of a temptation to turn down.

2

OLEANDER

I talked a big game for someone this fucking nervous. There was a running checklist in my head of all the emotions I felt.

Out of my element and worried… check.

Shocked I even said it to him… check.

Afraid this was going to backfire… check.

Still going because I was horny as hell… check.