I closed my lips on hers. They were still swollen from Hyde’s harsh kisses last night. I gently ran the tip of my tongue over her bottom lip, wanting to kiss the hurt away. Catherine accepted my kiss with a sigh. Her head tilted back as she opened her mouth. I darted my tongue inside, playfully swirling it around hers. I flexed my hand over her lower back, drawing her in closer.
Catherine touched my bicep, her fingertips pressing into my skin.
I groaned and deepened the kiss, while still keeping myself in check.
It was a bright morning in the workplace after all.
Catherine broke the kiss and stepped back.
She ran her fingertip under her lower lip as if to brush away any smeared lipstick.
I tucked an errant curl, which had fallen out of the tight bun at the top of her head, behind her ear. “Don’t worry, your lipstick still looks beautiful. It didn’t smudge.”
She smiled. “Thank you.”
She straightened her glasses and awkwardly looked around the lab, as if she were reluctant to meet my gaze.
Not sure what to say, I blurted out, “I like your new glasses.”
Her blush deepened.
Fuck.
I was an idiot. Why had I mentioned the glasses?
She adjusted the frames on her pert nose. “Thank you. They are actually my spare pair. I… lost the other pair.”
I tucked my hands into my denim pockets. “They’re cute. I like them.”
She nodded slightly. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
Stop talking.
Stop talking.
Stop. Talking.
I let out a long sigh and rocked back on my heels. “Well, we should probably get back to work.” I forced a laugh. “I sound like a boss cracking the whip.”
She paled.
Oh, God.
The belt.
Hyde’s belt.
My belt.
Her ass.
Christ, I’m a moron. I ran my hand through my hair as I spun in a circle. “I just remembered. I think I have a meeting somewhere about something.”
I snatched up my leather journal and rushed out of the lab before she could say anything more.
The moment I crossed the threshold, I slammed the door shut and leaned against it. Hugging my journal to my chest, I groaned. I had my answer.