“You’re so much trouble when I leave you alone.”
“Then don’t leave me alone.” She rested her forehead against his chest, muffling her reply. “Besides, you know you love it.”
“No. I love you.” He kissed the top of her head. “The surprise in the DM presentation? I’m not sure I’m fond of.”
She stepped back, putting enough space between them, so she could look him in the eye but not break his grip. She plucked something from her pocket and held it up between her thumb and forefinger. “Hopefully this will help.”
He reluctantly let go of her to take the USB drive. “Naughty pictures?”
She shook her head, smile never leaving her face. “Three things, and that’s not any of them.”
Curiosity tried to worm its way into his already heavy onslaught of emotions. It wasn’t easy, given the nagging voice reminding him people were probably really pissed about Chloe and Jordan’s gimmick in the DM panel.
Even though he didn’t want to admit it out loud, that single stunt had mocked his failed marriage proposal, reminded him things were a lot better now, and made DM look as bad now as he had back then. It would speak to fans and the media—anyone who remembered the original viral video. If he hadn’t been worried about the consequences, he’d have a hard time complaining about the entire thing.
And he definitely wasn’t complaining every time Rae’s hip rubbed against him. His cock wanted him to forget everything but finishing what the kiss had started.
“Do tell.” He forced the words out. He could do normal conversation for at least a couple more minutes. She was going to make it hard to focus on damage control.
“First.” She leaned back against the wall, hooked her fingers in his front pockets, and drew him closer. “An investor agreement that keeps you both in complete control. Grant Lent, who I believe you met earlier, is very interested in the details.”
Investors. The thought made his head throb. They needed the money, but at the same time, the idea of outside voices didn’t sit well with him. “Okay?”
She brushed her lips over his. “Just give it a look. Second is solid, hardcore evidence that DM knew what Kelly was up to with the whole insider-trading thing, and they helped her figure out the details. Use it as leverage or however you see fit.”
Oh, that was big. He’d always suspected—it was difficult not to—but to be able to prove it… There was a lot of potential there.
She kissed him again, more deeply this time, nipping at his bottom lip before pulling away. “So forgive me, maybe?”
She knew exactly how to distract him, but he’d been paying attention. “Maybe. Depends on what item number three is.”
She traced a line down his chest. “Chloe and Jordan are with Scott. A press release is going out now about how the two of you knew nothing about this and, while it was funny as hell, you don’t condone the action.”
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, forcing his expression to stay serious. “Which makes it harder to believe you didn’t know about this. And that means a press release isn’t the third item on the drive.”
Her flush was visible even in the poor lighting, and she ducked her head. Her reply was soft. “It’s an employment agreement for your new CFO. If you decide to talk to Grant and the people he knows, you can afford it. Along with other people, like Jordan. We found a way around his contract.”
She meant her. His heart leapt. “Presumptuous much?” The question didn’t have any force behind it.
“Hopeful.” She shuffled from one foot to the other. “Very, very hopeful.”
“You should have told me what you were up to.” Why was he still fighting this?
“I couldn’t,” she said. “You have to be able to honestly say you didn’t know what we were doing.”
She was good. And severely pushing the limits of his self-control. “So you’re back for good?”
She shifted her weight against him, pulling him closer. “Most likely. It’s not all up to me. But I love you, and I’m not ready to leave again. Beyond that, my staying means all involved parties are on board.”
Love. The word stole his reason and floated through him on a thrum of desire. “In that case, welcome home.” A new tension thrummed through him, heavy and anxious and having everything to do with the soft curves pressed against him. “Any plans this afternoon?”
“I was kind of hoping you were available.”
“Only kind of?”
She slipped a finger inside the waist of his jeans and slid it across his bare stomach. “What do you think?”
What do I think? That he was seconds from pinning her to the wall and finding out just how far out of the line of traffic they were. “Tell me you know somewhere no one will find us or bother us for the rest of the night.”
She laughed. “It’s only five-thirty.”
He nipped her shoulder with his teeth. “Good. Then we have plenty of time. Can you think of a better way to lie low?”