Stephen
I don’t hesitate. I wrap a hand around her arm and gently nudge her through the swinging doors of the back area before I’ve given myself a chance to rethink the situation.
“What the hell are you doing?” She shakes off my grip, her arms going around the tray she’s holding.
My eyes do a slow perusal of her, pausing to frown at her choice of footwear.
“I said–”
“I heard what you said,” My eyes fly black up to hers. As always I’m careful not to let my eyes linger on certain areas. “I could ask you the same thing. Why are you here? Better question is, why do you look like you work here?”
She rolls her eyes at me but I don’t miss the way her throat bobs or her eyes dip momentarily like she’s embarrassed. There’s a slight flush to her cheeks and her eyes are bright when they meet mine again.
Whether it’s from defiance, annoyance or frustration, I’m both intrigued albeit a little worried.
For no other reason than she’s my sister’s best friend. Which makes her by proxy, someone important to my family. No matter how much I can’t stand her.
“It’s not like you to stay so silent so I’ll ask again. What are you doing in this dump?”
I grit my teeth as I look around the walls covered in gunk and peeling paint. Yup, I’m clocking this place at atleast a three month complete refurbishment. I’m already groaning inwardly at the expenses I’ve already calculated at a single glance.
“I thought you were supposed to be the smart one? I obviously work here.” She rolls her eyes and once again I ignore the urge not to shove her against this wall. I want to shut her up the only way I seem to want to do everytime I’m in the same room as her. With my damn mouth.
My hands curl into fists just as what she says finally registers.
Work? Here? In this fucking–
“What the hell are you doing in here? Lopez! Get your sweet ass out there and serve my damn customers or it’s your job!”
We both whirl around to find Don has followed us into the hallway.
Since I’ve been mostly the cause of it, I recognize the telltale signs of her anger. I can also tell when she’s actively trying to suppress it given she holds back on biting my head off whenever Ava is around. I may not have all the details but I can piece things together. Whatever has her working here reeks of desperation but she shouldn’t have to do that. Certainly not for this disgusting POS.
I watch as her jaw clenches but it’s not until she flicks her hair behind her shoulder to try and mask the deep breaths she takes that has me second guessing my decision to stay silent. She takes a step past me and it takes me one look at the defeated set on her shoulders to ignore it.
My hand slams into the wall beside her head before she can make it past me and the words are out before I can stop them.
“Don. I’m going to pretend you didn’t just blatantly disrespect an employee to my face right now or illegally threaten them with their job.” I smirk when Don looks like he’s going to protest, his eyes darting between me and Vanessa. I see his eyes do a sweep of her and it’s the look on his face like he’s actively dismissing her that makes me stretch to my full height.
I raise my hand to stop him from even trying to explain himself.
Vanessa however does what she always wants and speaks up, “…”
I cut her off when I snake my arm around her waist and pull her flush against me. I squeeze her hip in warning when she tries to move away. Surprisingly, that’s enough for her to understand now is not the time to play our usual game.
“Don. Let’s finish this discussion in your office.” I raise an eyebrow at him and he must see something in my eyes that has him scurrying behind me to his office like the weasel that he is.
I shoot Ben a quick text asking for another file sent to me. Something tells me I’m going to need it.
I wait for the sound of the door closing before I address the spitfire who is practically vibrating with rage under my arm.
She yanks herself out of my hold but I don’t give her a chance. I back her against the wall, my arms caging her in.
“You have two minutes to tell me what you’re doing here and why the fuck you would allow someone to speak to you like that.”
She rolls her eyes and my patience that has long since run thin snaps. My hand captures her chin and I tilt her face up so I can look her straight in those brown eyes that have captivated me since I first met her.
“Roll those eyes one more time sweetheart and I’ll give you something to complain about.”
She smirks, her eyebrows reaching her forehead at my warning before she does exactly what I just asked her not to do.
Fuck it.
I slam my mouth against hers, capturing her bottom lip between my teeth. It’s been four years since I last allowed myself to taste her again so freely. Six if I count the mistake we both so carelessly made but none of that matters. Her smart mouth has always captivated me against all better judgment. It’s time she learned that she can’t keep pushing my buttons and expect me not to push back.
The tray that was trapped between us drops to our feet with a clang, causing both of us to jump apart. Her eyes are wide as she touches her lips with shaking fingers.
I straighten my suit, tugging at the cuffs to keep myself from reaching for her again.
“Two minutes, Vanessa.” I remind her.
I grab the fallen tray and wave a hand for her to continue when she attempts to reach for it.
“It’s none of your business, .”
Well, now I have no choice.