Chapter 10
VAL
Ahalf hour later, I slammed the door to Nolan’s office.
“How dare you summon me like I’m some sort of plebeian?
” I said. “What was so important that I had to come up here in the middle of a rush and abandon Hugh?” I was high into my extrovert mode since I’d been working the bar, so the words came easier and I was less apprehensive than normal.
Plus, Nolan had pissed me off. What did he think he was, king of the rich assholes? Honestly, he probably does think that.
I’d been having a good night joking around with the customers before Nolan’s little stunt had sent me over the edge.
The massage incident still played in my head on repeat, and I didn’t know who I was more angry at—him, for being a convoluted ass, or me for still thinking about it.
So what did I do? I got angry. It was better than the alternative of turning into a ball of anxiety.
At least the anger gave me something to latch on to.
From behind his desk, Nolan steepled his hands under his chin. “You’re late.”
I balled my hands into fists and remained by the door. I will not swear at my boss, I will not swear at my boss—
I settled for muttering a string of Spanish curses.
“What’s that?” he said with a dark look.
Rather than translating the filth, I cleared my throat. “What can I help you with, Mister Keller?”
Placing both palms flat on his desk, he pushed to his feet, exuding authority. I was both annoyed and very, very turned on. Jesus. I need to get out of here.
“Why were you working in the bar? You’re a snowboard instructor.”
I matched his black stare, fuming. “Hugh needed help. Frankie has a migraine, and I had the time.”
“You seemed to be enjoying it.”
I crossed my arms. His eyes flicked down to my breasts and I dropped my arms with a glare. “Is that a crime?”
“You were flirting.” He said the last word like it was a curse.
“It’s called being friendly, but as you’ve never encountered or experienced the emotion before, I understand your confusion.”
“Are you dating him?”
“Who?” I blinked, taken aback. “Hugh’s gay.”
Storm clouds rolled across Nolan’s blue eyes. “Not Hugh. I saw you on a date with the snowboarder.”
My brain tripped, scrambling to keep up. “You mean Austin?” I recovered quickly, a newfound anger blazing through me. “There’s nothing in the employee handbook that forbids dating a coworker. My personal life is none of your business. And we’re not dating.” I don’t know why I added that last bit.
A muscle in Nolan’s jaw fluttered. “You’re not permitted to work at the bar anymore. You’re my tour guide—full time.”
“I don’t accept,” I said, fastening my hands to my hips.
His eyes followed the movement like a predator on the hunt, his enraged stare drilling into me. “It wasn’t a request, Valeria.”
I surprised myself by matching his intensity without missing a beat. Seriously, what was with this guy? “Who’s gonna pitch in at the bar if I don’t do it? You?”
“I’ll double your pay.”
“It’s not about the money, Nolan. I do it because I love this place, and I love Frankie and Hugh. I want to help.” Maybe I was an idiot for refusing a double paycheck—lord knew my brothers needed it—but Nolan’s domineering attitude made me want to dig my heels in. He couldn’t just buy me.
Nolan walked toward me with the leashed power of a panther on the prowl.
But even as my anger burned through me, he set me on fire in more ways than one.
When he stopped inches away, he spoke. “So you’re refusing my offer.
” Heat coursed off of him in waves, consuming me, as I drowned in his inescapable eyes.
I swallowed and stood my ground. “I wasn’t aware that it was an offer since you all but commanded me. But yes, I am. Refusing.”
The blue in his eyes disappeared, engulfed by black. Before I could blink, he fisted my hair at the base of my neck and crushed his mouth to mine.
All thoughts of struggle, of anger, of anything incinerated as I melted into him.
When he pulled my lower lip between his teeth, sparks zinged through my body and something dark and unknown rose to the surface.
I wanted to tear him apart, to break past that icy exterior and get to the heart of the real man beneath.
Our tongues clashed, fighting for position as I grabbed the front of his shirt and yanked him closer. He pushed me against the door, his body fitted against mine all the way down to my toes.
Nolan didn’t just kiss me, he possessed me.
He was everywhere. In my hair, on my waist, grabbing my hips, my breasts, grinding against me like he wanted to fuck the disobedience out of me, and I had half a mind to let him.
Because if his lips felt this good? God.
I didn’t know if I could handle the rest of him, but damn if I didn’t want a taste.
His tongue traced my lower lip and a surge of need went through me. My fingers found his belt—
The warmth of him disappeared as he flew to the opposite side of the room, leaning over his desk, looking thoroughly undone. Eyes blistering. Chest heaving. Lips swollen.
Stunned, I could only stare at him. Oh my god. No no no nonono what the hell just happened? What did we do?
“Ohmygod,” I said. “We shouldn’t have—I didn’t mean—”
“Get out, Valeria,” he said in a soft voice with an undercurrent of danger. “While you can.”
Not knowing what else to do, not able to even think, I pushed on the door and stumbled into the hall.
But even through my distress, the ghost of the words I had been about to say lingered on my tongue: What if I want to stay?