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making a giant ass of herself. Her cheeks tightened in humiliation.
    “I have a job,” she said. “You know that.”
    He made a dismissive gesture with his hand and a sound of impatience erupted from his throat.
    “It’s not a job worthy of your capabilities and education and you know it.”
    “It’s not like I intend this job to be forever,” she defended. “They’ve been good to me and they’re shorthanded, so I promised I’d stay on until they can hire someone else.”
    He gave her a look of impatience. “How long have they been telling you that, Mia?”
    She flushed and dropped her gaze briefly.
    “You’re cut out for more than being a cashier in a pastry shop. Jace didn’t spend all that money and you didn’t spend all that time in college to pass out donuts.”
    “I never intended it to be long-term!”
    “I’m glad to hear that. So give your notice and come to work for me.”
    He leaned back, staring intently at her as he awaited her response.
    “What exactly is the job you’re offering me?”
    “You’d be my personal assistant.”
    Just the way he said the words sent a shiver down her spine. The emphasis on personal couldn’t possibly be mistaken.
    “You don’t have a personal assistant,” she accused. “You never have. You hate them.”
    “It’s true you’d be my first in a long while. I trust that you’d prove a very capable employee.”
    It was her turn to study him. Her eyes narrowed as she took in his intense, brooding expression.
    “Why?” she asked bluntly. “What is it you want, Gabe? And while you’re at it, explain last night. Because I’m at a complete loss.”
    His smile was slow and deliciously arrogant. “So my kitten has claws.”
    His kitten? She didn’t miss the significance of that little word.
    “Don’t toy with me. Something else is going on here. Why do you want me to come to work for you?”
    His upper lip worked up and down and his nostrils flared as he stared across the desk at her.
    “Because I want you, Mia.”
    Silence fell, cloaking the room, suffocating except for the loud pulse in her ears.
    “I d-don’t understand.”
    He smiled then, a predatory smile that slid over her like the smoothest silk. “Oh, I think you do.”
    Her stomach flipped and butterflies swarmed her chest and tickled her throat. This wasn’t happening. It had to be a dream.
    “What you suggest isn’t possible,” she said. “If I work for you…we can’t…”
    “Can’t we?” he asked mockingly. He leaned farther back into his chair, indolent and confident as he turned to the side to stretch his long legs. “The purpose of your working for me is so you’d be at my side at all times. And I’d have you when I want and how I want.”
    Heat infused her entire body. She fidgeted in her chair, her hands twisting together.
    “This is overwhelming,” she confessed. It was lame.Completely lame as a comeback, but what else was she supposed to say? She was utterly speechless.
    Her heart was about to beat out of her chest. She knew there was more to this than his words. There was a wealth of meaning in those dark eyes. She felt hunted. Stalked .
    “Come here, Mia.”
    The firm but gentle command washed through the haze of confusion. Her eyes widened as her gaze found his, and she realized he was waiting for her to come to him.
    She rose, her legs shaky, and she rubbed her hands down her jeans in an attempt to steady herself. And then she took that first step and walked around the edge of his desk to where he was still seated in his executive chair.
    He reached for her hand and once he had his fingers twined with hers, he tugged her down onto his lap. She landed awkwardly but he sat farther up and shifted so she was nestled against his chest and tucked into his side. With his free hand, he delved his fingers into her hair, twisting the strands around his knuckles while he held on to her hand with his other.
    “The relationship I’m proposing is not a traditional one,”