When I'm With You Part IV Read Online Free Page B

from around his waist, ignoring her frown as he moved away.
    â€œFrom a few things Denise has said to me, I gather you haven’t told her about moving into the penthouse.”
    â€œThat’s right,” she said. “I thought you’d want me to keep it a secret. Was I wrong about that?”
    â€œNot 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.”
    â€œI 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 . . .”
    â€œWhat?” he prompted
    â€œHave a relationship,” she said, glaring at him. Her scowl deepened when his smile returned.
    â€œIt’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.”
    â€œTo the spare bedroom,” she added under her breath.
    â€œPardon me?” he asked politely.
    â€œNothing.”
    â€œIs 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.
    â€œAll 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.
    â€œWhat 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.
    â€œI 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.
    â€œAnd 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?”
    â€œYou’re worried that you won’t be there during the run to monitor me with Francesca.”
    He gave her a bland look. “As long as we understand each other.” He casually strolled around his desk as he opened a piece of mail.
    â€œI’m not sure I
do
understand,” she said slowly.
    He froze and glanced back at her, his gaze hooded.
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    â€œWhy do you care so much what Ian Noble thinks? Why are you so . . .
interested
in Ian Noble, period? Does he have something you want? Are you maneuvering for something? Business-wise?”
    â€œOf course not.”
    â€œWhy can’t you just tell me what you’re doing? Maybe I could help you.”
    â€œDrop it, Elise.”
    She blinked at his sharp, quiet command. She didn’t want to ruin this moment after he’d told her about the horse, but something uncomfortable fluttered in her chest and settled like lead in her belly. She’d grown up in an atmosphere of deceit and cunning. Every move her mother or father ever made was