“You’d rather live in a hotel than let me help you?” He tilts his head to the side, not giving me time to respond. “Swallow your little pride and take the offer.”

I don’t like being a burden on people, and I don’t want to be in debt to him. My ex made me feel like I was a burden when we were living together, and I will not repeat that again.

“Wait a sec. How’d you know about my situation?” I cock a suspicious eyebrow.

“I hacked into your email. I wanted to make sure you weren’t in real trouble.” He removes his hands from his pockets and twirls his thumbs together.

How noble, I want to say, but I bite back the sarcastic remark.

“What’s in it for you?” I ask. “We hate each other.”

“Two things are wrong with your statement.” He puts up his index finger in the air. “One, I don’t hate you, and two”—he puts up his middle finger—“I don’t do shit for people and expect something in return.”

“Why are you helping me?” I whisper.

“Believe it or not, we’re not that different.”

I snort at his answer. We’re not even remotely on the same level.

He networks with some of the most powerful people in the world. If he wants to crush my little career as a PA, all he has to do is give me a bad reference and no one will ever hire me, that’s how powerful he is. The name Gunner Underwood carries a lot of power while the name Gia Gallagher is trash. So how the heck are we not much different?

As he ambles toward me, I walk backward until the back of my legs hit the mattress, forcing me to sit down. He bends down to eye level. His nose is inches from my face, and my heart pounds so loudly it’s drowning out the honking of cars and street traffic. I want to offer my body up to him like a sacrifice, the way it responds to him. My breasts are heavy and full, my vagina is so wet and hungry that I might have to change my panties.

“You’ve got two options. Either you leave here willingly, or I’ll toss you over my shoulder and carry you out. I’m not having my employee sleeping on the streets. So get your ass in gear. I’ve got a random hookup tonight, and right now, you’re cockblocking.” His tone is warm, and I suck in an audible breath. He cares about someone else other than himself—there’s a heart under his icy demeanor.

I don’t want to use up all my savings, and since I haven’t checked in to the hotel, I can get my money back.

I should be kissing his feet and thanking him. Not grilling him on why he’s helping me.