Page 103 of Rich and Bossy

“That’s a lot. You’re risking a lot doing that.”

“That’s up to me.” He leans in and he kisses me on the forehead. “It’s not your choice to make.”

I just want to melt into his damn arms, and I can’t, because I really have to get moving soon.

Why can’t it always be like this? A nice, quiet morning. Maybe on a Sunday, we could lie in bed and relax with our coffee and newspapers. I just want to be with him. He has a way of taking even the most routine things and making them exciting and new.

Or insanely sexy.

I reach for his hand, lacing my fingers through his. God, I love his hands. Not only because they’re gigantic and know just what to do to me, either—though that doesn’t hurt. “Thank you. I mean it.”

“So do I. It will be fair.”

“That’s all I ask.” Now I wish I hadn’t eaten so much, so quickly. “I think you’re right, the stuff you said, about before last night, what you were thinking. It’s not what I want, to take a break, but we probably shouldn’t see each other again until this is over. Once the vote is held and things are settled, maybe it’ll be a different story.”

He nods slowly. “I know. I don’t fucking like it, but I’ll do it.” His grip on my hand tightens, and he reaches for the other. It feels so right, even this simple touch.

I wish it didn’t feel like this is the last time I get to hold his hand. Possibly the last time ever, as horrific as that is to think about.

“Okay.” I nod, and are those tears trying to creep in? This guy has really done a number on me.

“This sucks.”

“I know.”

“It sucks balls, seriously.”

He laughs and so do I, then everything goes all serious again.

I could stare into those eyes forever. It’s so tempting, the very idea of just running away, never coming back. We could live on a remote island somewhere.

“It’s what’s best for both of us. We both know it.”

“I know.” He lifts my hand, kissing each individual knuckle, allowing his lips to linger against my skin. “I just want you so damn bad, all the time, Hazel. I just…” He glances down at my hand. “It’s hard to let go.”

I have to bite back a smile, because holy hell, I can feel how bad he wants me, just in his grip on my hand. “I know.”

“You’re going to have to help keep your distance, because I don’t trust myself.” His eyes land on mine. “You shouldn’t trust me on that. It’s the one thing you can’t trust me with, that I won’t come after you before it’s time.”

I lean in, brushing my nose against his before kissing him gently, forehead to forehead. “I know.”

This is going to be really hard.

CHAPTER 29

Paxton

The minuteI walk into the office on Thursday morning, I know there’s a problem. It’s even worse than what I would have expected. It’s a feeling in the air, like an electric current. It’s enough to make the hair at the nape of my neck stand on end.

It doesn’t help that nobody wants to look at me as I walk through the floor on the way to my office. Bree is at her desk, and even she looks unnerved.

Nothing ever bothers her.

“What’s up?” I try to look as discreet as possible while taking off my coat.

She doesn’t have the chance to respond before John walks past.

He looks me straight in the eye, and that single exchange says more than any verbal explanation could. I know I need to follow him, no matter what.

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