Page 42 of Obsessed with the Player

“Can't you just accept that I may not want to be in a relationship right now for a very good reason?”

“I accept it. I accept it just fine, but I want to know why.”

“Shouldn't you be happy about this? Shouldn't you be happy that someone won't have to be stuck with me for years on end before it crashes and burns?”

Something flashed in Andy's eyes at the morsel of information I had just revealed, but he didn't mention it. “Why would I be happy?”

“Because you hate me? Because you can't stand me?”

“You have always been the one that hates me, Dan James, not the other way around.”

My heart stuttered. What was that supposed to mean? Since when?

We stared at each other and I couldn't voice any of my questions. My heart felt lodged in my throat as Andy had me in the prison of his arms, even if we weren't touching anywhere right now.

I wanted him to be touching me. I wanted to forget all of these stupid thoughts for at least a little bit, before my conscience came back with a vengeance and told me to do what was right and stop fucking around.

I got hold of his soft cotton t-shirt, brushing it against my fingers. “All the same. It's better for everyone like this.”

I could sense that Andy was still tense, that he wanted to ask something more, but he didn't, he just put a finger under my chin and made me look up at him.

“You can do anything you want, Dan James. I've never met anyone with more stubborn determination than you.”

My heart jumped. “Was that a compliment? Did it hurt?”

Andy groaned. “It fucking did. So you better kiss it better, or I'll be the one to get grumpy, and none of us will like that.”

“Are you sure?” I asked against his lips. “I think I like seeing you out of your element.”

I liked it a little too much, because it meant I had an effect on him.

“Are you a secret sadist, Dan?”

My lips twitched. “Maybe? But I think that's mostly you.”

“You have no idea of how much you torture me,” he said, winding his hand around my nape.

I tugged at his t-shirt.“Show me?”

Then our lips pressed against each other, my chest still aching. I kissed him with everything I had, with every ounce of annoyance and irritation, because I needed it. Because I couldn’t stop.

And because if I didn’t remind myself of all the reasons this could never last, I might get too comfortable here.

16

Andy Jacobs

Sometimes, I likedworking with my best friend. He was the best person I could have ever chosen to tie myself to career-wise, and I had never once regretted the decision.

Other times, such as right now, when I was trying to tidy up some new supplies and pretending not to stare at the guy that was making my insides go nuts with flutters and warmth and tension andneed, I didn't like it so much, because you see, it was not in Travis's nature to allow anyone even an inch of leeway that he didn't want to give, which meant that the bastard snuck up on me and shoved me into a closet, closing the door behind us, before setting himself in front of it, arms folded on his chest and staring at me.

“If this is where you're going to have your wicked way with me, I would have appreciated the heads up,” I said with a dry tone.

Travis only raised an eyebrow. “You don't have to anything to tell me?”

I looked away from him, feeling a creeping feeling on the back of my neck, like he was onto me.

“Nope. Just doing my job.”

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