Page 34 of Blame It On the Secret Santa

“Yeah, but you can go help someone who is actually happy to see you today,” I said, practically sneering.

Okay, so it wasn’t his fault that I was in such a bad mood. I was embarrassed about what happened last night and not ready to face him yet. Add in the way he kept looking at me with that stupid shit-eating grin, and I wanted to chuck a rock at his head just to get it off.

“Well, that’s unfortunate becauseIwas really looking forward to seeing and working withyoutoday.”

My cheeks flushed with embarrassment as I picked up on his tone. It was obvious that I wasn’t going to catch a break today and that we would be stuck together after all.

I rolled my eyes and ignored him as I walked past the pallet he was working on and started working on another. We worked in silence for a while, somehow managing to stay out of each other’s way. It was probably because there were so many pallets of toys and different aisles they all went on, so it allowed us to not have to be in each other’s space.

A few hours later, Bruce came back to check on how things were going and complimented us on how efficiently we were working together. I smiled, though deep down, I wished he knew how much restraint it took to keep me from hitting Sean with the broomstick ponies I had just finished unloading.

We got down to the final pallet of toys, and I stood back while Sean cut the plastic covering off it.

“I’ve got this one if you want to go start on the food,” I offered, hoping he would take me up on it.

“Food is already done,” he said, pulling the plastic down. “Tom and Gabe worked on it this morning. All that is left after this is housewares.”

“Oh. Okay. Well, then, you can go to housewares.”

“That’s okay. I like to finish what I start.”

A shiver snaked up my spine as I focused on his words and wondered if he was talking about what had happened last night. I tried my best to ignore it as I reached for a stack of boxes and bumped into him in the process.

“We’re going to have to figure out a way to work around each other if you’re going to insist on staying in my space,” I said curtly, avoiding his eyes as he towered over me.

“Maybe you’re the one inmyspace.”

I swallowed hard as he took a step forward, forcing me to take a step back to avoid our bodies touching.

“I’m not. I was assigned to work back here. You weren’t.”

“Well, it seems fate had other plans.”

I moved further back, a gasp escaping my lips as my back hit the metal rack behind me.

“I wouldn’t call it fate. I would call it you being obsessed with torturing me and forcing yourself into my space today,” I said, looking away as he stood inches away from me.

He licked his lips as he rested one hand above my head and spread his feet to lock me into place. Unless I injured him, there was nowhere to go.

“Do you want to know what real torture is, Cassidy?” he asked, my name sounding like sin rolling off of his tongue. He turned his head to the side and studied me, his gaze hot as it penetrated me.

“Being stuck with you?” I offered, smirking when I felt his body tense around me.

“Nope. Real torture is getting that picture of you in those fucking panties last night and not being able to touch you. Having to remember how tight you were and not being able to fuck you.”

I tried to swallow, but my throat was suddenly dry as a burning heat blazed between my thighs.

“Sounds like ayouproblem.” My voice was barely above a whisper, but he heard me.

“Not really. Itook care ofthe problem. Remember?”

My skin prickled as a rush of heat washed over it.

“No,” I lied, desperately trying to look anywhere but in the deep blue eyes that were watching me.

He leaned closer and slowly brought his hand up to cup the side of my face. His touch was feather soft until he pinched my chin between his fingers and turned my head, forcing my eyes to meet his.

“Did you watch the video?”

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