Page 36 of Worth the Risk

“No.” I chuckle. “Although that could change.”

She doesn’t respond this time. So I let the seconds tick by, the words dangling on the tip of my tongue so close, but I know there’s no going back if I say them. My cock throbs again, reminding me of the constant torture I’ve been under for five agonizing years.

“These lips,” I say softly, reaching my hand toward her and slowly dragging my thumb across her still moist bottom lip. I let the connection linger for a second longer but before I can pull it back, her tongue swipes the tip so gently I’m not even sure she meant to.

“Fuck,” I groan, pulling my thumb back to wrap my lips around the tip, a slight moan slipping out as I savor the taste.

“What are you doing?” Her voice is just above a whisper, her eyes searching mine frantically.

“Why haven’t you posted the video, Taylor?”

“What?” Her expression turns to confusion.

“Come on, you know I’m not going to let it go.”

“Why do you care so much? I told you I was done with the account.”

Frustration threatens to bubble up. I reach over to grab the edge of her barstool and tug her closer to me.

“Hey.” She wobbles, grabbing the edge of the bar.

“Look at me.” Her eyes find mine. “Have you watched it?” Her lips part, then snap back together. “How many times?” I lean in close enough I know she can smell the whiskey on my lips. “How many times have you replayed it in your head, Taylor?”

“I need some air,” she says, grabbing her clutch and sliding off her stool after pushing past me. She doesn’t look back, just makes her way toward the door.

I’m on her heels, tossing enough bills on the bar to more than cover her drinks with a healthy tip. Before she’s even outside, my hand is on her arm, ushering her onto the sidewalk.

“I didn’t mean with you.”

“Yeah, and I don’t give a shit.” I lead us over to a bench, turning her to face me so her back is against the railing. “I’m not asking again, Taylor,” I say, placing one hand on either side of her. She stares past me for another minute before finally letting out a dramatic sigh. Her expression changes in an instant, from wanton and needy to stoic.

“Yes, I watched it and I decided it was unprofessional to post it.” She turns to look at me. “People know who you are, Austin. You’ve built this empire in less than five years and your name is in so many rich people’s mouths it just doesn’t feel like a very?—”

“Jesus, just—give me the phone.” I hold my hand out toward her, a shocked look on her face. “I know you. You’re full of shit and we both know it.”

“Excuse me? I have to think about my reputation here too, Austin. As a woman, I have to consider how I will be perceived posting a picture of me making out with my business partner!”

“Fine, don’t post it, but then tell me why you won’t even let me see the video?” She clenches her jaw tighter. “It was just a kiss, Taylor; it wasn’t making out.” I extend my hand toward her.Her face softens, her expression going from angry to almost sad-looking in an instant. “Please?”

She reluctantly opens her phone, finding the video and handing it to me. I suck in a deep breath before hitting play. I watch the kiss unfold just as I remember. My hand on her hip, the other sliding up into her hair. The way her warm, soft lips eventually part to let my tongue slide in. My body reacts like I’m holding her again, the desire to pull her closer, the need to consume her almost taking over. I glance at her, her eyes glued to the phone screen before glancing away when she notices me looking, her neck and cheeks flaming.

This is what I wanted to see. I watch myself break contact, stepping away from her and exiting her office as the camera continues to play. I watch the expression on her face, the way her eyes stay glued on me before she remembers the camera. She walks toward it and just before she ends the recording, her face comes perfectly into frame. When it finishes playing, silence hangs between us.

“So that’s why you didn’t post it.” She doesn’t reply and she won’t look at me. “Because you liked it?” Again, she stays quiet as I hand the phone back to her. “There’s no shame in that, Taylor. Fuck.” I run my hands through my hair as I lean back against the bench. “We were both attracted to each other when we met. I mean, hell, we almost kissed at my apartment the second time we saw each other.”

“But we didn’t. I stopped us because we agreed it wasn’t a good idea with us working together.”

“So now what do we do?”

“What do you mean?”

“Five years later and we’re both still attracted to each other; we know we have chemistry.” I take the opportunity to look at her, lifting my hand up to cup her cheek. “I think that video proves there wouldn’t be any issues there.” I lean in a touchcloser, our lips within a few inches of each other. “And we both want to do it again.”

“Why’d you come to my apartment?” she asks and I freeze, my lips so close.

I hesitate, about to ignore the question and kiss her, but I pull back slightly, looking into her eyes so there’s no confusion on what I wanted that night.

“You know why I came over, Taylor.” I push her hair over her shoulder, taking another step closer until she’s pressed against me, the back of the bench behind her. “You’re a big girl.”

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