Page 18 of Fateful Exposure

Her gaze rested on me for a few seconds before she shook her head, letting out a snort. "Right. Why do I even bother?"

"Right," I echoed, deciding I'd had enough Selma to last me a week. The woman was a fucking puzzle; I couldn't figure her out. Or maybe it was that time of the month. I reached for my equipment resting on the desk at the same instant; Selma snatched the envelope away like the hounds of Hell were on her heels.

I paused my hand midway, lifting my gaze to hers. Her eyes were full of shock, and her lower lip quivered, her hands gripping thepaper with alarming alacrity. I sent her a curious look as the silence wore on uncomfortably. When it was obvious she was not going to speak first, I straightened, a sense of unease prickling at the base of my spine.

What would Selma have to hide from me?

"Care to explain?" I offer.

She shook her head so quickly that I feared it would fall off. "Nothing."

"Hmm. It doesn't seem like nothing. Why did you grab the envelope like that? It's almost…like you were trying to hide something from me."

"Why would I bother hiding anything from you? You're insignificant."

I smirked, picking up an anxious signal from her tone. "If that was meant to throw me off, it didn't work."

Her throat worked as she swallowed. Her body language screamed of nervousness, which made me nervous.

"What's in the envelope, Selma?"

Her eyes were full of defiance. "Let it go, Ashton."

Honestly? I would've if she wasn't so damned suspicious. Hell, she was still gripping the fucking thing like it was a lifeline.

She wasn't paying me for my services, so it couldn't be a contract. Besides, her name was on it. Didn't that mean that whatever was in there concerned just her? So why did she think it was crucial to keep it from me?

To save us both the stress, I stretched my hand and made a “come on” gesture. "Give it."

"No." Her chest was heaving so hard that the top button of her top had come undone.

"Selma, don't make me come and take it from you." It was the best warning I could give her. My curiosity was piqued, and I would not rest until it was fully sated.

She shook her head, her eyes glistening with distressed bravado. I'd never seen anyone defend something so trivial like a piece of paper with such vigor in my entire life. I stepped to the left, and she moved to the right, evading me. Her stupid desk was curved, and unless I wanted to break my pelvis and risk hurting her, I had to move carefully.

"Selma, I'm going to count to three, and then that's it."

"I don't care. Get the fuck out of my office, Ashton, or I'll call security."

I ignored the flimsy threat. "One."

She swiftly darted to the left when I changed directions. Clever girl.But I was one step ahead.

"Two."

Without giving her time to think about the last number, I hoisted my body to the left and grabbed her, catching her off guard. She shrieked, clawing at me with her free hand while protecting the one clutching the envelope near her breasts.

Lucky for me, I loved her breasts. Oh, and I was stronger than her. I quickly caught the paper, swerving away from her sharp-manicured nails.

After straightening the paper, I tore the seal amidst her protests and instantly regretted it.

Selma had stopped clawing and fighting and was looking tentatively at me.

I met her apprehensive gaze, feeling a storm raging inside me.

"What the fuck is this?"

eight

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