Chapter 261
**Sara**
He plucked the bill from my hands, sliding his own card into the leather folder. "Consider it my celebration gift for your new job."
"Some gift. You just wanted to watch me squirm."
"That was just a bonus." He winked. "Though you do squirm rather beautifully."
I kicked him under the table again. "Keep it up, and you'll need crutches to leave this restaurant."
"Keep threatening me, and I'll have to punish you later," Tom whispered.
"In your dreams, Professor." I grabbed my purse, ready to escape, before he could make any more suggestions that would get us kicked out of this fancy establishment.
The cool evening air hit my face as we stepped outside, a welcome relief from the warmth that had been building inside - both from the wine and Tom's relentless teasing.
"You know," Tom said, wrapping an arm around my waist, "I did offer you a position at Blackwood Industries. The salary would've been substantially more impressive."
I pulled away, crossing my arms. "Are you laughing at my salary?"
"Not at all. I'm merely pointing out that you could be making triple what Westbridge is paying you."
"That's not the point." I jabbed a finger at his chest. "I got this job on my own merit. Do you know how satisfying that feels?"
"Did you?" His eyebrow arched. "Because I seem to recall Claire putting in a good word for you."
I opened my mouth to argue, then snapped it shut. "That's... that's different. She just made an introduction."
"Ah yes, completely different from me offering to introduce you to our HR department."
"It is! Claire's my friend, not my..." I waved my hand vaguely at him.
"Your what?" His eyes sparkled with amusement. "Your incredibly handsome, successful, brilliant-"
"Pain in my ass?"
"I thought you enjoyed that particular pain." He dodged my swat with a laugh. "Though I notice you're not denying the handsome part."
"Your ego doesn't need any more stroking." I started walking toward his car, but he caught my hand, pulling me back against his chest.
"I can think of other things that need stroking."
"Tom!" I glanced around, mortified. "We're in public!"
"Didn't seem to bother you in the car earlier." His hands slid down to my hips, pulling me closer. "In fact, you were quite vocal about your enthusiasm."
"That was different." I tried to wiggle free, but his grip tightened. "The windows were tinted."
"Mhmm. And I suppose all those people walking past couldn't hear you moaning my name?"
My face burned hotter. "I wasn't that loud."
"Should we test that theory?" His fingers traced the hem of my skirt. "I believe there was something we left unfinished..."
"Don't you dare." I grabbed his wandering hands. "I swear to god, Tom, if you try anything-"
"You'll what?" He nipped at my ear. "Punish me?"
"I'll call an Uber."
That got his attention. He pulled back, eyes narrowed. "You wouldn't."
"Try me." I pulled out my phone, making a show of opening the app.
"Give me the phone, Sara."
"Make me."
Quick as lightning, he snatched the phone from my hand, holding it high above his head. I jumped for it, which only pressed me closer against him - exactly what he'd wanted.
"This is childish," I huffed, still reaching. "Give it back."
"Say, please."
"Please go fuck yourself."
His laugh rumbled through his chest. "Such language from a proper businesswoman. What would your new colleagues think?"
"They'd think I showed remarkable restraint in not kneeing you in the groin."
"Violent and vulgar." He tucked my phone into his back pocket. "I'm beginning to think you need some discipline, Ms. Parker."
"And I'm beginning to think you need a restraining order, Professor Blackwood."
"Good luck finding a judge who'll sign it." His lips captured mine in a swift, intense kiss that left me breathless. "Now get in the car before security decides to investigate why we're loitering."
I glanced toward the restaurant entrance, where two uniformed guards were indeed watching us with growing interest. "Oh, please. Like you couldn't just wave your black card at them and make them disappear."
"Are you suggesting I bribe security personnel?" He pressed a hand to his chest in mock offense. "I'm shocked, Ms. Parker. What happened to your strict moral code about earning things on merit?"
"That only applies to job interviews." I tugged at his sleeve. "Come on, they're starting to walk this way."
"Sure, I could make them go away. But wouldn't you rather continue this somewhere more private?"
I slid into the passenger seat, buckling up as Tom settled behind the wheel. "You know, for someone who teaches ethics in business, you're surprisingly comfortable with corruption."
"It's not corruption," he pulled smoothly out of the parking space, "it's strategic resource allocation."
"Is that what they call it at Blackwood Industries these days?"
"Actually, we prefer the term 'relationship management.'" He navigated through the lot with one hand on the wheel, the other finding its way to my knee. "Speaking of management, you still haven't answered my question about staying at my place."
I swatted his hand away. "Eyes on the road, Professor. I'd rather not end up wrapped around a pole because you can't keep your hands to yourself."
"That's not a no. And I'm an excellent multitasker."
"The dented valet stand might disagree with that assessment."
"There was no dent." He paused. "Though we should probably take a different route next time, just in case."
I couldn't help laughing. "The great Thomas Blackwood, avoiding a valet stand. Wait until the board hears about this."
"Mention this to anyone, and I'll have to invoke my strategic resource allocation skills."
"Are you threatening to bribe me now?"
His grin turned wicked. "I was thinking more along the lines of strategic physical persuasion."
"Keep dreaming, Professor." But I couldn't stop smiling as we merged onto the highway, the city lights sparkling around us like stars.
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