25. Chapter 25
Chapter 25
Avery
Corbin doesn’t show up at my apartment that night. Not that I’d really expected him to. I’d hoped he would, but he’s not the type of man to be so easily pushed into something he thinks is a bad idea. But it hadn’t stopped me from trying. I’d followed Cass’s instructions to flirt with him and I’d made my intentions crystal clear. I still can’t believe I kept my composure during that entire conversation. I know I shocked him; that much was obvious. And I’d seen a hint of interest. He couldn’t hide the fact that he wasn’t indifferent to my advances. But he hadn’t shown up at my apartment, either.
I’m not discouraged, though. I’m not wrong about him. He wants me just as much as I want him. He’s just worried about what it will mean for our working relationship, not to mention what the others will think if they find out. I understand his reservations, even if I don’t agree with them. I’d be lying if I said I agree with his plan to just ignore this attraction between us. Especially not after the amazing sex we had Saturday night. I can’t just pretend he didn’t fuck my brains out. And I can’t pretend I don’t want him to do it again. So, I keep my strategy the same for the next three days.
Whenever I have a moment alone with Corbin, I make comments that make it obvious I want him again. Like today, when Jessie leaves the shop to pick up lunch from one of her favorite sushi restaurants and Noah goes into the back to grab some water, I lean close to Corbin. My breasts brush against his arm and a shiver of excitement goes through me.
“My offer still stands, you know?” I whisper.
He turns to look at me, brows lowered. “What offer?”
I smile and drag my gaze down over his body. “I think you know. But if I need to spell it out, I can.”
I watch his throat move as he swallows hard before shaking his head. “No need,” he says. “I’m not interested.”
I nearly laugh. “Now who’s the liar?”
“Avery.”
He says my name in a way that sounds like a warning. Or a promise. I’m not sure which it is, but I don’t care. I’m willing to push him until I find out.
“Corbin,” I counter, matching his tone. “Don’t pretend you don’t want this.”
“This is sexual harassment,” he says, but there’s no heat in his words.
“Am I in trouble?” I ask. “What’s my punishment?”
A muscle ticks in his jaw and I know he’s getting annoyed with me pushing his buttons. I shrug and ease away from him slightly.
“Let me know if you change your mind,” I say. “I’m ready when you are.”
“I don’t think you know what you’re asking for, angel,” he mutters, turning my insides to jelly.
It’s the first time he’s called me angel since the other night when we had sex. The nickname sends a little thrill through me. Before I can think of a response, he turns and walks toward the back. Standing alone in the shop, I allow myself a pleased smile. He’s not as indifferent as he pretends to be. I just need to find the right strategy to push him over the edge again. I nearly shiver with anticipation at the thought of Corbin’s hands on my body again, his filthy promises and his large body. I want all of it. And I know he does too. I just need to find a way to convince him to give in.
I think I’ve pushed him as far as I want to tonight. His frustration with me is bordering on anger. That’s not what I want. If I want him to realize we’ll both be happier if we keep having sex, I need to walk a fine line. I need to push him to the edge, but not too far. Today, he’s already a little too on edge. It’s time to back off and let him come to me.
I spend the rest of the day—and the week—flirting with Corbin whenever the others aren’t around. I don’t go so far as to proposition him again, but I make sure he knows the offer still stands. I’m not sure when I turned into this bold woman who brazenly flirts with a man as intense as Corbin, but I’m channeling my inner Cass and going for it. Besides, there’s nothing wrong with a woman who knows what she wants and does what it takes to get it. Isn’t that why I’m a tattoo apprentice?
By the time Sunday evening comes around, I’m so sexually frustrated by Corbin’s lack of action that I’m looking forward to my day off tomorrow. I need some time away from him. I need to reevaluate my strategy. I hate to admit it, but I don’t think this is going to work. Maybe Cass was wrong, and this isn’t the right way to go about it. Hell, maybe I was wrong, and the sex was only good for me. Maybe Corbin isn’t responding to my flirting because he doesn’t want to have sex with me again. Maybe once was enough for him. That thought is a little depressing. But it’s not like I can force him to want me if he doesn’t .
Case in point, I wore a low-cut dress today that I know makes my boobs look amazing. When you’re not overly endowed, you find ways to accentuate what you’ve got. And with today’s bra and that dress, I know I had the goods on display. But Corbin had seemed immune to my boobs and my flirting. He’d barely looked at me all day. So, when it came time to leave for the night, I was more than ready to go. I need to think about a few things. It might be time to admit defeat. A girl can only take so much rejection before it starts to hurt the ego.