Page 12 of Crave Me

“It’s okay, really. Dallas, I’ll be right in. Cole, thank you for the latte. It was thoughtful.”

“I have to admit, it wasn’t completely selfless. I was hoping to take you out again.”

“Oh.”

“Blaire!” Dallas’ voice is thick with irritation and something else I can’t quite place.

“I’ll text you, okay? Thank you again.”

Dallas holds the door open for me and I slink inside the entryway, the warmth from the heat instantly flushing my face. Dallas walks away from me and I scurry to catch up to him just as his foot hits the first step that leads to our offices on the second floor.

“Dallas.”

He continues to walk up the stairs, not acknowledging me. This man is so infuriating. Attractive or not.

“Dallas!” This time I grab his forearm, electricity shooting through me. I pull my hand back like he burned me. He stops walking and looks down at the place my hand was before meeting my eyes. God, he is so good-looking. His facial hair is cut close to his skin, coarse stubble that I imagine leaves burn marks if trailed across fragile flesh. His eyes are a mesmerizing sky blue and so much depth and emotion swirl within the light shade. My eyes trace over his features as the heat starts to rise in my body.

“What, Blaire?” he snaps. But his expression tells me he is completely aware of the thoughts I was having. Shit. How long was I just staring at him?

“You can’t snap at me like that, especially not in front of my friend.”

“Is that what he is Blaire? Yourfriend?”

Is he serious right now? Does he think just because he keeps cornering me in bathrooms and telling me his feelings about Cole that I will just listen?

“That’s none of your damn business.”

He takes a step down the stairs and closer to me. My breath hitches.

“I told you he wasn’t right for you.” His eyes shamelessly look down at my lips before meeting my eyes again and holding me hostage. He thinks he has the upper hand in this game, but I’ll drown a slow death before I give in. This time, I take a step into his space, making his eyes widen. I run my free hand down the length of his tie, smoothing it against his firm, muscular chest. The growl that leaves him comes from somewhere deep and forbidden. I glance at his lips, my pussy throbbing and wet. His hand reaches out slowly toward my waist just as I speak.

“Like I said, that isnoneof your business, Mr. Hayes. Now excuse me, I have a job to do.”

I walk up the stairs, leaving Dallas behind me, not feeling an ounce of shame for the way I let my hips sway side to side with each step that takes me farther away from my infuriating, sexy boss. He doesn’t follow me, and for that, I’m thankful.

Once I’m safely in my office, I hang up my coat, drop the coffee cup into the trash can, and take a seat in my chair at my desk. It’s hard to believe I have my own office, and most mornings I can’t help but take a peaceful moment and look around at the space. I come from less than nothing. I worked hard in school despite the trauma that was going on outside of it. I knew that my education would be my ticket to freedom, and that the only thing separating me from the streets would be busting my butt to get into college and taking out student loans.

I worked tirelessly, keeping to myself and staying focused so I could someday sit in a place like this. To be here now? The event coordinator for a huge distillery, building a piece of their company that they’re proud of, creating memories for tourists and the people of our community? I’m filled with pride.

I pull out my laptop from my bag and open it up to check my schedule, email, and plans for the day, feeling more clearheaded than when I got here.

Nothing will rattle me today.

Chapter Six

Dallas

“You’re fucking kidding me.”

“Nope. Enjoy shadowing Blaire for the day, dickhead. You want to moan and complain that she shouldn’t be here? You want to bail on your commitments? You get to follow her around for the entire day and see what a positive influence she’s having on this place. People love her.”

I scoff and run my hand across the rough hair on my jaw. Well, this should be an interesting day after the morning we’ve had.

“I find that hard to believe. She’s a menace.”

“And that’s why you’re going to shadow her. So, get the hell out of my office and get to work.”

“You’re a shithead, Sawyer. This is a real low blow and you know it.”

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