"I have my own car."
"Let me make this clear for you." His cheek twitched. "I want you in my bed."
She scoffed, shaking her head to hide the slight quiver that thrilled her. "Then you lied when you mentioned talking to me about the shelter."
"Not exactly. You don't have enough money to keep it open." He leaned back and took a sip of dark liquid in a glass. "You're running it as a non-profit, which was your first mistake."
She leaned forward. "I'm working with people who have no money, no home, no ability to pay for a night indoors where they can take a shower, have food, and stay safe. Did you know that two years ago, there were almost two thousand homeless people in Spokane. There are not enough shelters and resources to help them all."
"I'm aware of the statistics," he said. "If you run it as a business, you could make money without asking those you think you're helping."
"Iamhelping them." When he stayed quiet, she said, "Why is my financial position your problem?"
He twirled his glass on the table. "Come home with me and I'll make sure you have enough money to stay open for a year."
Her jaw dropped before she could hide her shock. It'd taken most of the money from Mom's life insurance to pay for the building. She'd sold her mom's car to pay for the fifty cots. Despite months of soliciting donations from businesses around Spokane, none of the money came from anyone else. The shelter was her baby.
A year was a long time. Her circumstances could change. With more time, she could find more donations.
"You want to help me?" she asked.
He nodded. "Yeah."
She picked up her phone and whispered, "You're an asshole."
He slid toward her on the seat. "Listen—"
"Stop." She put her hand up. "Don't say anymore. I've heard enough."
"Two years. All expenses paid," he said.
He might be one of the richest men in Spokane but she wasn't going to become his whore. She slid away from him and had one foot on the ground, ready to leave, when she looked at him. "We don't have anything more to say to each other."
"I think we have a lot to say." He glowered.
She left the table. Never in her life had someone offered her something that would have her wondering about her sanity. He had the means to give her everything to succeed.
But the price was too high.
