Page 68 of Sweet Animosity

His fingers pushed into the open waistband of my jeans as he wrenched me forward until I fell across his chest. “Who the hell else do you think I’m talking about?”

“I’m not your woman. I’m your secretary.”

“I thought you preferred assistant.”

“Don’t change the subject.” I gestured between us. “We are not a thing. This is not a thing.”

Something itched the back of my mind, trying to claw to the surface.

Anxiety, anger, and panic.

Something was wrong… something about Var.

If I could just focus…

Then the elevator pinged.

“My banana split!”

CHAPTER 25

VIVIAN

The porter removed the sterling silver cloche with a flourish.

I clapped my hands with glee at the sight of the enormous banana split.

In a delicate, oval crystal tray with heaps of whipped cream and extra cherries, it was so pretty.

Var came up behind me and patted the porter on the back. “Thank you, Urvan.”

Urvan unwrapped the cellophane from the bowl of pretzels and removed the cloche from Var’s club sandwich before bowing and leaving.

Sitting on the kitchen stool, I reached for one of the spoons.

Var pulled it from my hand. “Coffee first.”

“Ew. No.”

He poured coffee into two white porcelain cups with gold trim and the imposing Four Monks emblem on it. “I insist.”

Pushing my lower lip out, I took the cup. “You seem to be doing a lot of that lately,” I grumbled.

He raised an eyebrow. “What was that?”

I gave him a huge fake smile. “One sugar and a splash of cream, please.”

Despite knowing I would burn my tongue, I took a huge gulp. “Ow!”

He snatched the cup from my hand. “Like a child,” he muttered under his breath.

“What was that?”

He handed me a spoon. “I said, would you like a spoon?”

With narrowed eyes, I took the spoon and then pointed it at him. “I know that’s not what you said, but I’m too excited about my banana split to care.”

The creamy vanilla ice cream was topped with fresh slices of tart, yet sweet, strawberries smothered in warm fudge sauce. I dragged the spoonful through the whipped cream before licking it off the spoon.

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