She watched him as he went behind his desk and sat. He was wearing a pair of jeans today, the fit of them highly distracting, along with an open collared white shirt and a black blazer that emphasized his wide shoulders. Behind his huge mahogany desk, he looked every inch the commanding, compelling lord of the manor.

“What’s wrong?” she asked him shakily.

He blinked at her question. “Nothing is wrong. Why would you assume something is?” he asked, a smile pulling at his mouth.

“It’s just . . . you don’t usually call me back here.” Her hand instinctively strayed to her bottom as she recalled him punishing her here in his office. His gaze flickered downward. His smile widened.

“Have you been bad, Elise?” he asked, his tone a low, sexy tease.

Damn those dimples of his. Realizing she’d been touching her ass, she pulled her hand away.

“Of course I haven’t. Why did you ask to speak with me?” she asked curiously.

“I thought you’d like to know I have bought you a mare.”

Her heart leapt. His smile widened as he studied her reaction.

“You bought me a horse?” she asked excitedly, approaching his desk. “Where is she? When do I get to see her?”

He held up his hands in a pause gesture. “I’ll take you to the stables this evening after I close Fusion.”

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She made a frustrated sound. Lucien had bought her a horse. “I can’t wait that long.”

“You will, because you must,” he told her with a pointed look that was softened by a fond smile. “You’re going to love her.”

“I know,” she said irrepressibly.

“How do you know?” he said, chuckling as he stood and came around the desk.

“Because you bought her for me,” she said. He looked surprised when she rushed him and threw her arms around his waist. When she glanced up after she’d given him a hug, she saw that he was also pleased. His arm slid around her back. He reached up and touched her cheek softly.

“You look radiant,” he murmured, caressing her. “It’s like holding on to sunshine, having you in my arms.”

Warmth flooded her at his off-the-cuff compliment.

“It must be the beauty rest you’re getting every night,” he said.

“If it is, it’s the beauty rest you give me,” she said breathlessly, feeling lightheaded at suddenly finding herself in his arms. She arched against him provocatively, pressing her breasts against his ribs and chafing the tips by rubbing back and forth an inch or two. She felt his body stir. A low sound of satisfaction purred in her throat.

His expression hardened. He gently peeled her arms from around his waist, ignoring her frown as he moved away.

“From a few things Denise has said to me, I gather you haven’t told her about moving into the penthouse.”

“That’s right,” she said. “I thought you’d want me to keep it a secret. Was I wrong about that?”

“Not at all. But we hadn’t discussed it. I want to thank you for being discreet. You technically work for Denise, not me, but she is my employee. I wouldn’t want her to feel uncomfortable, or that the situation is unfair in any way.”

“I would never allow our relationship to interfere with my training,” she said resolutely. He didn’t reply for a moment, and she reviewed what she said. She blushed. “Not that we really . . . you know . . .”

“What?” he prompted

“Have a relationship,” she said, glaring at him. Her scowl deepened when his smile returned.

“It’s too bad you don’t think so, as I usually don’t ask women I’m not in a relationship with to move in with me.”

“To the spare bedroom,” she added under her breath.

“Pardon me?” he asked politely.

“Nothing.”

“Is there something you want to ask me?” he prompted. His sudden intensity confused her. Why was he always asking her that? She shook her head stubbornly. She’d be damned if she begged him to take her completely . . . to claim her. He either wanted her or he didn’t.

“All right, if there’s nothing. There’s something else I thought I should mention, even though I’m sure it’s not necessary. You showed so much discretion with Denise and the other employees here at Fusion,” he said as he picked up an envelope from his desk.

“What do you mean?”

He glanced up and she sensed the tension he’d been trying to disguise as he rifled through his mail with seeming distraction.

“I spoke with Ian a few moments ago about our fencing practice tomorrow. He and Francesca are coming here for dinner tonight. Ian mentioned Francesca wants to speak with you about setting a time and date for a run.”

The silence pressed on her eardrums. She was beyond grateful and excited over the fact that he’d bought her a horse, but something about this topic sent up a warning flag in her brain. Suddenly, she was absolutely certain that this issue over Ian and Francesca was the real reason he’d called her back to his office, not the gift of the horse—or at least the horse had been secondary.

“And you wanted to make sure I didn’t spill anything about moving into the penthouse with you to Francesca, either tonight or when we get together for the run?” she clarified.

He shrugged. “It would seem odd, wouldn’t it? For you to be living with me after such a short period of time?”

“You’re worried that you won’t be there during the run to monitor me with Francesca.”




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