“Exactly.”

He leaned close again, and my heart rate kicked up in anticipation. But he didn’t kiss me this time. No, he just said, “But don’t think you won’t beg. We’ll find even ground, and it’ll be when you’re beneath me, taking my cock so deep you don’t remember what it’s like not to be filled by me.”

Oh, sweet baby Jesus. My insides liquefied. I wanted that. Now.

“I guess we’ll see,” I said, lifting my chin. “You can leave your number on your way out.”

Titan smirked and pushed off the back wall. “You’re a stubborn woman. Never knew that was so goddamn sexy before. I’ll be waiting for your call, Yve. Don’t take too long, or I’ll come looking for you.”

As he turned and walked away, my gaze was glued to his ass. All I could wonder was why I hadn’t gotten two good handfuls of that while I’d been kissing him.

This was probably the worst idea I’d ever had. But damned if it wasn’t going to be the most fun.

Unlike with Kevin, I had no qualms about feelings getting involved when it came to Titan. He had no heart, and didn’t want anything from me. That made it safer. Right?

I reached down and picked the box up off the ground.

Time to see what Santa Claus Kevin had brought me today.

I didn’t venture back into the main part of the shop until I heard the door chime three different times. Just in case. When I reached the counter, JP had just finished ringing up a sale and was handing one of our signature bags across the counter to a customer.

“I hope you enjoy that skirt. It’s going to look amazing with the blouse you told me about. If you need anything else, just come back and see us.”

Her smile was wide and genuine, and she looked like she fit behind the counter more than anyone had since Charlie. I mentally apologized to Elle, but there was something about a tattooed and pierced spitfire working at Dirty Dog that just seemed right.

She turned to me without wasting a moment. “So, who was that tall, dark, and I’d fuck him in broad daylight and risk the indecent exposure charges handsome guy?”

Yep. She fit right in.

“He was nobody.”

She crossed her arms. “Well, Nobody left something for you.”

Good boy, Titan. Way to follow orders, I cooed mentally as if he were a puppy. He’d want to strangle me for that, or bend me over and spank my ass. Which I’d probably like.

“Oh yeah?”

JP reached out and snatched a card off the counter. Handing it over, she pouted. “You’re really not going to tell me who this guy is? I mean, now that I’ve seen his card, I can Google him, but friends tell each other this stuff, Yve.”

Her words, particularly the word friends, struck me. “You’ve worked here for a day, and you’ve already decided we’re friends?”

JP re-crossed her arms. “I don’t see any other awesome help around here. Besides, I’m in the market for another friend. Last one turned out to be a bitch who stole my clothes and didn’t give them back. At least if we were friends and if I keep working here, I’ll know where my clothes are if you steal them, and I’ll steal yours back too because they’re bound to be kick-ass.”

I could barely keep up with the girl. “One day at a time, girly.”

I looked down at the card. Beneath his office number was another phone number written in that bold handwriting I already recognized. I assumed it was his cell phone.

Then I flipped the card over. What was written on the back surprised me.

You have a 9 a.m. appointment tomorrow at the NOLA Entrepreneur Fund.

Don’t be late. Bring your business plan.

What the hell?

I remembered our encounter in the bank and the loan officer who couldn’t keep his mouth shut. Titan knew I wanted Dirty Dog, knew I needed capital, so he’d just gone ahead and set up an appointment for me at the place I was considering trying to make an appointment to get a grant?

I wanted to be pissed at his high-handedness. I wanted to tear up the business card and throw it in the trash because of his ridiculous presumption. But I didn’t, because I wanted Dirty Dog more. I grabbed my purse and tucked the card in my wallet. I wouldn’t cut off my nose to spite my face, but that didn’t mean I was going to thank him with a celebratory blow job or anything.

And with the thought of Lucas Titan’s cock in my mouth, I went back to work.

I TOSSED MY PHONE IN my desk drawer and slammed it shut. I wasn’t going to stare at the damn thing and wait for it to ring. Yve would call or she wouldn’t, and I wasn’t the kind of punk-ass, whiny bitch of a man to wait and wonder when that would happen. It had been over twenty-four hours, and still nothing.

I’ll decide when and where. That damn woman. I’d make her beg. Because this was ridiculous. I’m Lucas Fucking Titan, and no one calls the shots but me.

I had a state senator who wanted an open-ended favor, but I wouldn’t give it to him because I refused to be put at a disadvantage—and that was in the face of the twin rewards of proving my father wrong and adding potentially billions to the bottom line of Titan Industries. And yet I’d put myself at a disadvantage to get back inside the sweetest, sassiest pussy I’d ever had.

What was it about that woman?

My office door banged open and Colson walked in.

“Come on in, why don’t you?” I snapped.

His head jerked up. “What’s got your panties in a wad? Need to get some? I’ve got this chick, she’d probably take us both on. If you’re into that kind of thing.” He looked at the floor. “Not saying I want to see your dick or anything, but—”

“No. And never bring that up again.”

He shrugged. “Just trying to be helpful.”

“Then how about you be helpful by finding me a group of senators who have backbones?”

“I’m working on it. But what you said about Hendricks and Shuman is holding true with everyone else I’ve contacted. Doesn’t matter where their district is in the damn state, it seems that Haines put the word out to steer clear of you and the bill.”

“That prick.”

“He have some kind of grudge you don’t realize?”

“You’re the one who did the investigation on him,” I snapped. “You tell me.”

Colson shook his head. “No connection to you or Titan Industries on any level. Doesn’t make any sense other than he wants your favor in his back pocket. He wouldn’t be the first or the last. Occam’s Razor, right? Simplest answer is usually the right one.”