20 #2
He can’t talk to me like that. If I were a man, we wouldn’t be having this conversation. “You have no right to comment on my dress code.”
His eyes darken. “I do have a right when you’re about to present to my construction leads, and all they’ll focus on is the outline of your nipples.”
“Your team shouldn’t be looking at my breasts,” I say haughtily, tilting my head up to maintain eye contact. “Will they all be wearing bras? This antiquated concept of gender should be banished from the workplace.” It’s worth a shot.
“How do you expect them to focus on anything else?” he snarls.
I pick my jaw up off the floor and answer coolly, “If they are that easily distracted, remind me never to enter one of your hotels for fear the thing will collapse.”
He stares at me for a long beat, then lets out a frustrated breath. “Don’t play me again, Bonnie. It’s not fair.”
“ Again ?” I blink rapidly. “When did I play you the first time?”
“ The little act of seduction at the wedding to make your ex-fiancé jealous.”
Maybe I did say that.
“ Me playing you ?” My voice rises. “That’s a bit rich coming from you.
I’m doing my damnedest here. You set a harsh deadline knowing we’ll jump up and down to meet it, yet still, I can’t do right by you.
You think I’m trying to seduce you?” I laugh bitterly.
“Get real. You aren’t remotely interested in me, remember?
I’m not your type. Why would I think that could possibly work? ”
His eyes narrow. “What the hell are you on about? Not my type?”
“I heard you. I heard what you said the morning after the wedding.”
He’s clearly thinking hard. “What did I say?”
“I overheard you tell some guy you weren ’ t interested in me before you dished out my number.”
He stops short, staring at me as if I’ve lost my mind. Then his brows knit together. “You heard that.”
“Yes.”
“You heard me talking to Damon Manning.”
He looks at me as if I ’ ve revealed some big secret. “Do you know who he is? Do you know what he does for a living?”
I shake my head. Why do I care?
“He writes for tabloids. I would never tell Damon a shred of truth, anything remotely near the truth. I can’t stand the guy. I’m sorry you heard that. It was bullshit.”
I roll my eyes. “Sure.”
He takes a step towards me, closing the gap between us. “Do you really think you’re not my type?”
“Yes, considering you gave my number to a guy you can’t stand.”
His lips twitch. “Did he call?”
“He did,” I lie, annoyingly breathless as he looms over me. “But I turned him down.”
He smiles arrogantly. “I gave him a wrong number.”
I don’t even notice myself backing against the wall. He’s in my space caging me in with his arms.
“Must have got it elsewhere.” My voice catches in my throat as he traces his fingers along my jawline, sending goosebumps down my skin.
Fuck.
This is unexpected.
A throb starts between my legs as his fingers slide slowly down my neck. It ’ s the same erratic beat he must feel in my neck.
His lips quirk into a wicked smirk.
All I have to do is take a small step forward and my body will be pressing against his. My chest against his slab of muscles. My core against that growing bulge tenting in his jeans.
I can’t breathe.
“You were always my type,” he murmurs as he slides his hand behind my neck to push me flush against his chest. My nipples harden as they brush his shirt. “Even when you used to run around the White Horse with pink hair and a ring through your nose.”
I try to swallow my nerves. “Someone was paying attention.” I tilt my head up to meet his gaze.
He stares down, completely unfazed. There’s no doubt who’s in charge here. “The only reason I didn’t pursue you is because I will never be a relationship wrecker. Don ’ t think for a second that I don’t think you ’ re perfect. Believe me.”
I do believe him.
I forgot what it’s like for a man to look at me like this. Undeniable want directed at me.
Right now, I couldn’t care less if we were put in a viewing box for the entire financial district to watch, which we kind of are. I want this man, and I can’t think past the carnal urge to straddle him with my bare aching pussy and give her what’s she crying for.
My hands land on his chest to find he has the same swollen nipple problem I have.
“Is that why you said you flirted with me to make Max jealous? Because of what you heard me say to Damon?” He rests his hands on the wall on either side of my head, fully caging me in. “Answer me, Bonnie,” he says hoarsely. “Tell me the fucking truth.”
“I lied,” I whisper. “I wasn’t trying to make Max jealous. The truth is I wanted you, but I hated myself for it.”
He lets out a low chuckle. “My poor ego. I’m choosing to take that as a compliment.” He nods. “You hated yourself because you thought I wronged your dad.”
I shake my head. “Not just that. I also thought you were arrogant,” I confess. “You’re too used to women falling at your feet.”
His chuckle deepens. “Okay, darlin’, you can quit while you ’ re ahead. But your assumptions were spot on. I am arrogant. And women do fall at my feet.” His smile tugs into a full-blown grin. “But it’s not every woman’s feet that I fall at.”
I make a noise that is halfway between a whimper and a snort. “You’re so sure you know what women want.”
“So, test me,” he replies, cocky smile in place. “You’re attracted to me. Let’s see if I know what you want.”
I release an indignant puff of air. “See? You just proved how arrogant you are. I wouldn’t kick you out of bed for eating crisps but there are plenty of attractive men out there.”
“I’m secure in myself. And I didn’t get this body eating crisps in bed.”
“Secure enough to offer yourself to all the bridesmaids.”
“ All the bridesmaids?” He grins. “How many are we talking here?”
My eyes narrow. “You gave Becky your number at the wedding as well as me. That’s one hundred percent of the bridesmaids.”
“Ah. I see.” He nods, still with that infuriating grin. “Well, she asked for it. She wants an interview with my marketing team.”
Does she fuck. Well played, Becky. Smooth.
“I gave her my office number. I gave you my personal number.” His brows rise. “Are we done with excuses?”
“You kicked me out of a meeting. That’s pretty obnoxious.”
“You rolled in late to my first meeting and didn’t listen. What did you expect? Praise?”
“It didn’t quite happen like that. I didn’t roll in. You make me sound gangsta.”
“Bonnie.” His hand presses my lower back, crushing me against a very hard cock.
“There’s also the issue of the missing half a million pounds. I’m not in a position to pay you back . . . right now.” In this lifetime.
“Take me for dinner and we’ll call it even.”
I nod but I’m not sure I can even afford to take Jack to the fancy restaurants he must go to.
“Any other complaints about me? Or are we done?”
“Yes,” I rasp like someone who has been in the desert for a week with no water. “I think I got everything I needed out there.”
His grin turns wicked as he takes my hair in his hand and pulls my head back to look at him.
“About fucking time.”