Page 21 of Before We Were Us

“What brush-off?” she challenges me.

Fuck, this is not how I envisioned this taking place. I had it planned out. I knew what I wanted to say and I told myself that I’d walk out of here and things would be clear. There would be no more confusion, no more questions left unanswered. But here I am, staring at her, Brynn staring back at me and my heart is fucking racing uncontrollably, unable to understand how she can get me into this state with one word, or one sultry look in her eyes. A look I’m not even sure she knows she’s offering.

Unable to stop myself I shift my body closer to hers and cage her in, placing one hand on either side of her and flexing my palms over the edge of her desk.

“You said you felt this too.” I control my tone, or at least attempt to. “This pull between us.”

She takes a deep breath and nods.

“We parted that day with the promise of getting together soon.”

Again she nods.

“A week.” She licks her lower lip and the movement has me instantly growing hard. I want nothing more than to taste that sweet tongue. “Connor had me convinced you were ghosting me.”

The corner of her mouth tips up in a smile.

“Is that where the redhead came into play?” Brynn finally speaks and for a moment I’m thrown by her words. “I heard all about her and her theories.”

“I don’t care about what the redhead thinks.” I move in closer, our lips only inches apart. “I do however care very much about what you think.”

I pause, watching her and waiting for her to make the next move. It hardly seems fair that she’s got me so tied up inside and she’s still so held together.

“I think any hookup can be successful in any amount of time if the two people hooking up have chemistry. It’s not really about the amount of time you take, it’s about what you do in the allotted time your gifted.”

“Is that so?” My pulse is racing.

“Yes,” she says breathily. “You should know I wasn’t giving you the brush-off, or ghosting you. My father acquired two more businesses this week and Taylor and I have been responsible for revamping and setting up designers for a reopening under new management. It’s been an insane week.”

“A really long week,” I add and her smile grows. Suddenly she stands and I move with her, our chests now pressing together.

“Good news is, we’ve finally gotten through everything and I should be able to free up some time.”

“That is really great news.” Fuck her mouth is incredible.

Reaching out I link my fingers with hers and her body presses to mine a little more. Repositioning our now joined hands behind her back, I hold her tight and dip my chin, brushing my lips over hers.

When she whimpers, the tension I felt coming here fades.

“Are you free tonight?”

“What did you have in mind?” Her words tickle my lips when she drags hers over mine as she responds.

“Right now to be honest I can barely think.” I chuckle, realizing I can’t walk out of here in my current state. “But I’m sure we can come up with something.”

Brynn bites at my lip making me growl.

“My place, at seven?” I’m nodding before she finishes the sentence.

Cupping the back of her neck I pull her in once more and this time I give all I have to the kiss. My entire body is alive from the feeling of her pressing to mine. She whimpers and I swallow the sounds, losing myself in the feel of her.

fourteen

. . .

Brynnlee

“Marco and I are going to dinner.” She grabs her purse and spins around to face me. “Nothing fancy, but it should clear a few hours for you. And if I need to be gone longer?—”

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