But to do that he had to actually see her, and that wasn’t happening.

By holding her back, he was proving her accusation of being a total control freak. However much he hated the idea, he had to give her the promotion she’d been asking for. Kim worked harder than anyone else in the company.

If she’d only give in and admit they were supposed to be together, then Nadia would no doubt back off.īut it didn’t look like Kim was ready to admit anything. “You’re a nice man, Jake, but you can’t be responsible for everyone. Just someone you feel responsible for.” She trailed one scarlet-tipped finger down his cheek. But I asked around and it’s obvious she’s nothing to you. “I thought you wanted that girl who works for you-the plain one. “And you can have me, Jake.”Ī light glinted in her eyes. “You’re not seeing anyone else, and I know it’s because you want me.” She leaned closer and rested her hand on his shoulder. With you.” He opened his mouth, but she was already speaking again, so he clamped his lips shut and waited for a break in her momentum. “But I’m over the past, Jake, and I’m ready to move on. She strolled around the desk and came to a halt only inches away, so close he could breathe in the cloying scent of her perfume. But as Kim pointed out, Nadia was more than a little scary. She was like a juggernaut, impervious to any obstacles in her path.Īs she rose to her feet, he girded himself to stay in his seat and not show signs of fear. Jake was beginning to believe that “vulnerable” and “Nadia” were mutually exclusive. “You just didn’t want to take advantage when I was vulnerable.” “And you cried.” He realized immediately he’d made a strategic mistake by reminding her that he was a sucker for a woman who cried. “I know you just went along with that, thinking I wasn’t ready for a relationship.” “You wouldn’t have gone out with me if you hadn’t cared.” She’d been convenient, and at the time, the arrangement had seemed mutually beneficial. Nadia crossed her long legs and leaned even farther forward, giving him a great view of her cleavage, but she did absolutely nothing for him. Also, he began to suspect Kim was right, and the woman was unstable. Some people thought he was quite scary, but apparently, he was losing his touch. When Nadia had arrived in person, he’d thought he might have more success persuading her face-to-face their relationship was over.

Losing control by nina croft