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“You’re one of my most valued members on the marketing team and you’re in charge of the Worthwhile spring launch. I need your opinion while on this trip.”
“How long will we be gone?’ She sat up straighter, wishing her spine was made of steel. Maybe it would give her a hint of courage, make her feel stronger, able to deal with this…this curve ball Hunter had thrown in her direction.
It was as if the man purposely kept her off center.
“Two, three da
ys tops.”
“I see.” She swallowed hard, glanced about the room. Anywhere but at Hunter. “Are you asking me to go because you’re jealous of Marcus?”
He slammed his fist on top of his desk so hard she jumped in her chair. “I am not jealous.”
“Right. So your over-the-top reaction meant nothing.” She dared look up to watch as he leapt out of his chair and rounded the desk to stand just before her. Tilting her head back, she met his gaze. Saw all the anger swirling in their blue depths.
“If you want to screw around with Marcus, then I can’t stop you. Who am I to care what you do with your off time?” His eyes blazed as they stared into hers and she refused to look away.
“You scared him out of the office.”
“I did no such thing.”
She laughed and shook her head. “Stop pretending you don’t know what I’m talking about.”
Hunter leaned over her, resting his hands on each arm of the chair, boxing her in. She shrunk back, not because she was scared, oh no. More like trying to get away from his scent, his warmth, the very delicious essence of him. But seeing her move back only pressed him forward, until his face was directly in hers.
“Are you flirting with him to make me jealous?” The deadly thread in his voice made her shiver.
“I’m not that immature,” she retorted.
“Really?” He cocked a brow. “You never showed any interest in Marcus until after we were—intimate.”
The word conjured up all sorts of images. Her naked in his arms, his tongue drawing wet, warm circles around her hard, aching nipples…
“I didn’t encourage his behavior.”
“Look at you, all prim and proper. ‘I didn’t encourage his behavior’. Is that what you say about me? Us? Did you encourage my behavior?”
He was desperately jealous. And if the throb of his pulse at the base of his neck was any indication, he was also really upset. “I—I—”
“Did you want to have sex with me, Gracie? Or were you merely doing it because you thought it was what I wanted?”
“What are you saying?” He was purposely trying to confuse her. “Are you trying to get me to admit that yes, I wanted to have sex with you and no, I don’t regret it? Because if you are, fine, you’re right. I wanted it. I wanted you. And I don’t regret it either. Does that make you feel better?”
Her breath came in ragged spurts after her abrupt confession, and she swallowed hard, wishing she could swallow the words and make them disappear. They stared at each other silently, regret hitting her full force and she pressed her lips together. She should’ve never said that. Why did he always push her so much? Of course, she wasn’t over him yet. Couldn’t get over him, as loathe as she was to admit it.
Damn him.
“I don’t regret it,” he whispered harshly. “If I had my choice, it would happen again.”
“Why?” She shook her head and closed her eyes. This was crazy. They were playing with fire and she was the only one who would end up getting burned. She was putting everything at risk. Her job, her emotional state, her future…all of it for a man who could charm her panties off with a few sexy words and a smile that made her burn.
“Why? I don’t know why. I can’t explain it. When I’m not with you, you’re all I think about.” She opened her eyes at that revelation. “And when I’m with you, it takes everything inside of me not to just reach out and do this.” He swooped in.
And kissed her.
Christ, she tasted good. Like sweet, honeyed woman and lush, sensual promise. It was a big mistake, pissing her off, pissing himself off and then kissing her. He’d promised he would leave her alone.
But seeing her with Marcus had set a fire deep in his belly that couldn’t be denied. And thinking she’d actually encouraged Marcus’s flirtations? That had nearly sent him into a full-bodied attack on a man he considered his friend.
