Seventeen #3
“That’s a big decision. This is your studio, your business, and you’re just going to sign over half of it to some guy? How long have you been thinking about doing this?”
“I wasn’t thinking about it until the offer fell into my lap. But the truth is, I’m not doing well on my own. The studio would still be mine, but I’d have a partner to help with expenses.”
“What if Steve’s gym goes under? Where would that leave you?”
“Steve’s doing great over there. He’s doing me a favor, Elliot. If things don’t improve, this could be my last season.”
“A smart businessman wouldn’t make a deal like that unless he had something to gain as well. Don’t give him too much leverage. Partnerships are fifty-fifty.”
She frowned. “I wouldn’t have accepted the offer if I thought he was taking advantage of me.”
“I’m not trying to offend you, Nadia. I know you’re smart, but I also know you love the company you created. I’m just suggesting you think things over for a few days before you announce it to the world. Business deals fall through all the time and I don’t want to see you get hurt.”
He was acting like her financial advisor again. “I appreciate your advice, but I have thought about it and this is what I want to do. It’s a relief to know I have options. Honestly, I’ve been incredibly stressed trying to manage everything on my own.”
His mouth flattened and he glanced away. “He isn’t your only option. There are investors everywhere. Sometimes silent partners are better.”
“Well, no one else has made an offer like the one I got today.”
“What about me? I’d invest in a new studio for you.”
She rolled her eyes. No more mixing business with pleasure.
While he had a fascinating business sense, it embarrassed her every time she required his help.
She didn’t want him to see her struggle.
She wanted to show him that she could be a successful woman, the sort that rose to his standard.
She wanted to prove she could run her own life, like most American women.
“Thank you, but you’ve done enough.”
“You said you were glad for my help. Now, you seem to be bothered by it.”
She gathered her belongings and dropped them into her bag. “I appreciate everything you’ve done, Elliot, but it’s enough. I need to do some things for myself.”
He followed her toward the bathroom. “With Steve’s help?”
She dumped her water bottle in the sink. “Is this about what’s best for my business or something that makes my boyfriend uneasy? Steve’s my friend, my colleague. That’s it. You don’t have to feel threatened by him.”
“I don’t feel threatened.”
She glanced over her shoulder and arched a brow. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I feel … territorial. You’re my girlfriend.”
She smirked, appreciating his honesty. Shutting out the bathroom light, she faced him.
“And that’s exactly what I want to be to you. I don’t like being a charity case. I want to be your lover, your friend, not an inconvenience you support, or someone you have to constantly rescue.”
“You’re not an inconvenience.” His chest lifted as he stared at her, his pupils dilating. “And I like rescuing you.”
She stepped closer to him and cupped his jaw.
“You’ve taken me into your home, flown me across the world, helped my family with getting approved for a loan, and brawled with Roland for me.
I think your work in the rescue department is done.
” She kissed his bruised cheek. “I need my independence where I can get it, Elliot.”
He caught her hand and kissed her wrist, his observant gaze stealing her breath as he once again showed her the affection she’d come to desire from him, the affection she’d been missing over the last two days. Maybe now they could move forward and put the pain of the last few days behind them.
His voice lowered to a soft whisper, his words teasing over her skin and putting her into some sort of trance. “I know you’re an independent woman. I admire that about you. But I’ll never stop trying to help you. That’s who I am.”
And she’d be lying if she claimed his heroism didn’t touch something deep inside of her.
“You are relentless, mister.” She sighed, pulling her hand away.
When he looked at her like that, she became a puddle of need, and in regard to her studio, she’d already made up her mind.
“Let me do this on my own. Please. I know you can probably do it faster and easier, but I need to know I can, and you’ll see I can take care of myself. ”
His mouth twisted. “You don’t have to prove anything to me. I know who you are.”
“Then you know why it’s important for me to do this without you.”
“Will you let my lawyer write up an agreement for you, just as a precaution?”
She groaned and turned away. “You are a pain in my csikk.”
“Does that mean ass?”
“Pretty much,” She picked up her bag. “Let’s go eat. I’ve had a very long day and I’m starving.”
He didn’t move.
She paused, trying to decipher the look in his eyes. “What?”
“I … want to kiss you.”
She pivoted toward him and smiled. He could be so powerful and so vulnerable at the same time.
It was the perfect storm and she couldn’t help being drawn into those wild eyes.
“There is the side of you I adore.” She slowly approached him and looped her arms around his neck.
“When you look at me like that—hungry and direct—I want to grant your every wish, like you're my master and I’m a slave to your desires. My mouth is yours, mister. Do as you please.” His lips brushed hers as he caught her hips, dipping her back and not pulling away until she was dizzy.
She blinked up at him, debating if she wanted to go to dinner or his bed. “Will you sleep in my room tonight?”
“No.” Her heart jerked, but then he grinned and said, “You’ll sleep in mine.”
Satisfied, she nipped at his lips and giggled when he growled, kissing her deeply again.