A bubble of laughter formed in my throat, but I managed to stay serious. I lifted my eyes to his. “No, really. I have conditions.”
His gaze cleared slightly before narrowing on mine. “Conditions?”
I nodded.
“Like…a business arrangement? Between us?”
I nodded and resisted the urge to curl my fingers into his jacket and kiss him again. “I mean, sort of like a business arrangement, but—”
“Anything,” he said without hesitation. “Whatever conditions you have, I’m amenable.”
I swallowed another laugh. But this time it was mixed with awe. How could he be so certain about what he wanted? Especially with me? It blew me away, and a sweet pinch of tenderness swept through me.
“I want you,” I whispered.
His lips curved.
“No, wait,” I said before he could kiss me again. “I mean all of you. You have a head start with me because you heard my conversations with my dad. But I don’t know you, and I want to. I want to have a foundation for this, somewhere to start. And something to make us even, so I know where my feelings are coming from.”
He looked confused. “That’s all?”
“All?” I asked. “That’s everything to me.”
He reached up and cupped my cheek in his hand. “No, sweetheart,” he murmured, and the endearment shook me. “I mean, that’s all you’re asking of me? Just to know me better? Most women would ask for money or recognition or—”
“I’m not most women.”
This time when he smiled, there was nothing but sweetness and amusement in it. “I know you’re not. And that’s why this is so amazing to me. I see where you’re coming from and I want to give it to you. Let’s build that foundation. And let’s start right now.”
Chapter 21
You could learn a lot about a person while they were at work. For example, I learned that Declan was fair but assertive, that he didn't like to waste time—even though he had more of it than most of us—and that he was great at multitasking.
I could have figured all of this out without shadowing him for the day, but it was wonderful to see it in action. He managed to attend a meeting, look over our project plans, and talk with a business friend in Tokyo all while still flirting with me. And he did that last part in Japanese.
I supposed when someone didn’t have to sleep, it gave them a lot of free time to do and learn things. Like learn new languages or play the stock market or finish that extra game solitaire. I had no idea what that looked like for Declan, but I was going to find out.
It was nearly noon before we had a break. After another meeting, we returned to Declan’s office and I walked straight to the table where our plans still sat waiting for us to go over them again.
Declan joined me at the table with a serious look. “I’m glad you decided to come in today.”
I gave an amused smile. “It doesn’t seem like you really need me here. Or need an intern at all. It looks like you’ve got it all under control.”
“I’ve made sure of that over the years. I want to know what’s going on in every part of my business. So, in that way, you’re right. I don’t need an intern.”
I nodded, a little disappointed. But it was just a fact. Declan had more hours in the day than most, and he knew how to use them well. He didn’t need an intern any more than he needed a flu shot every year.
Declan propped his hip against the table and folded his muscular arms over his chest. Despite my disappointment, I could still appreciate how he looked at this moment. I could appreciate that he didn’t flaunt his good looks though he knew he had them. I could appreciate that every bit of his body was covered in muscle, but I was the only one—as far as I knew—that had seen what was underneath those suits recently. And, reluctantly, I could appreciate his candor—even if it meant I probably wouldn’t have a job for much longer.
“I don’t need an intern,” Declan continued, “but I do need you, Royal.”
I glanced to the table and spotted all my notes spread out over the surface. “Well, sure, the project—” I started.
Declan shook his head. “No, not just that. I need your mind in here and I need your perspective. I need someone who’s excited about the job—and I could see that you were the moment I started talking about this project. I can tell that you still are. And even the busy work Tim gave you kind of got you excited, didn’t it?”
My lips curved. “Don’t be so sure about that. It was probably just because I haven’t felt useful in months. Taking time off from school was good for me, and I needed to spend that time with my dad, but I felt kind of aimless there for a while.”
“I understand that,” he said. Then he straightened. “But that's another topic.”
When I open my mouth to ask him more, he held up a hand. “I’ll tell you. I promise. I’ll tell you all of it, I just thought we might want to get lunch while we’re at it. You need to eat, and this would be the perfect time for us to—what did you call it? Build a foundation.”
I smiled at him. “Sounds good.”
I turned and leaned over to grab my jacket off the back of the chair, but before I could straighten again, I felt Declan behind me. His powerful body moved like a wall behind me, and his arms curled around me. One hand pressed against my stomach, holding me against him
