He walks to the desk, stopping when he’s near me. Silence grows between us, and I wonder what the hell he’s thinking. Just answer the damn question already.
He takes another step closer.
And another.
My body hums with life, and what sounds like a billion bees fills my ears.
If he takes another step closer, my resolve willbegin toslip away, his closeness doing funny things to me. Things I don’t want or need… things I don’t…
Bam!Every thought goes out the window when his lips touch mine.
My brain can’t keep up, can’t compute what’s happening. Only my body reacts, responding to his kiss, the feel of his skin touching mine.
Without realizing it, I kiss him back, lost in the moment and the connection between us.
That is for amere split second.
Reality hits hard, and when I come to, I jump back, tearing my mouth away from his.No. No. No. What am I doing?
I slap him across the face, the loud smack echoing around the room. He stares at me in shock, one hand flying up to his reddening cheek. He rubs it while flexing his jaw open.
Shit! I can’t believe I actually just smacked him.
I look down at my stinging hand and take a step backward. My head spins in circles like a hamster in a wheel, and it feels as if the walls are closing in on me. He makes me feel so much, too much.
Passion one minute, hate the next. Combine the two, and it’s an explosion. One I can’t make sense of.
“I guess thatwas calledfor, boss lady. Kissing you was a huge fucking mistake I’ll never make again. Thanks for slapping some sense into me, literally.” He smirks the same way he always does, and my back stiffens.Hot firebursts through my veins.
I hate him.
And I hate that fucking nickname.
Boss lady? Get the fuck out of here.
“Anytime. I’d gladly do it again.” I flash him a grin. I won’t let him see how much he bothers me. Fuck this guy and the car he drove here with. He’s an asshole, just like everyone said. Did I really expect anything different?
Luca walks over to the door, still rubbing his cheek and wearing his dumb smirk. I doubt he cares. He loves this bad boy game. And damn does he know how to play it well. Fuck, I hatethatit bothers me as much as it does. I just wish he would fuck off.
He stops when he gets to the door. He hasn’t even given me his answer yet.
“Well? Are you accepting my offer or not? Time’s up, Mr.DeMello. What’s it going to be?”
Luca turns to face me. “I’m delighted to accept your offer, Miss Walker. It’ll be nice seeing you around here more often. There’s no doubt in my mind we’ll work great together.” His voice couldn’t be more sarcastic, but it doesn’t stop him from winking at me.
“I’d appreciate if you didn’t wink at me. This is strictly a professional relationship. Let’s keep it that way.”
He chuckles, but in a way where I know he didn’t find what I said amusing. Like I care. “Whatever you say, boss lady. Just remember, your offer was one of many vying for my attention. You might think I need you and your sponsorship, but I don’t. Have a fantastic weekend.” Luca grins and winks again before he leaves, slamming the door shut behind him with a loudbang.
What an asshole!
I collapse into my chair, unable to comprehend everything that just happened.
He doesn’t need us?Bullshit!
Morelike he doesn’t want toadmithe needs us.
What I need to focus on is the most important thing. I accomplished my goal.