Page 7 of Cruel Fate

“You’re right. I’m not going to lie. These past few months have been hard. I’ve been pushed into a position I wasn’t ready for. Still not. I’m trying to hold it together for Zarah, for the employees of the company, but sometimes...”

“Crying isn’t an option.” I want to touch him, but without a shirt, resting my hand on his shoulder is out of the question, and his thigh is way too close to another body part that has already gotten a workout today.

Bracing his elbows on his knees, he holds his head in his hands. “No. Anyway, it’s getting late. You should head home. Doyou want a ride? I can drive you, or ask Douglas—he’s our driver—grab you a cab...”

It would be smart to accept his offer, and quicker, too, but I say, “No, thanks. I’ll ride the train, and it won’t take me long to get to my apartment.”

I expect him to argue, maybe order me to stay until he can put some clothes on and drive me home himself, but he stands, and his warm hand grabbing mine, helps me to my feet. “Okay. Thanks for coming back. Have a good weekend.”

He escorts me to the lift and pushes the call button. The doors open immediately—the car never went down. I grab my shoes and purse and step into the elevator.

He leans against the wall, and he disappears from my sight as the doors close. At the very last second, he thrusts his hand into the crack, steps into the elevator, and pulls me to him. He captures me in a kiss, his hot lips slanting over mine, and I feel things that are very, very off-limits.

I’m kissing my boss.

And I like it.

His mouth tastes sweet, dried sweat gritty on his skin. Maybe, just maybe, if he wouldn’t have joined Zarah and me after screwing a woman he hid from us, maybe I would have given in, but I have more respect for myself than that and I finally push him away. “This isn’t a good idea,” I say, and I press the back of my hand to my trembling lips.

The light dims in his brown eyes, and I can’t decide if he’s disappointed that I turned him away or he’s disappointed that he simply didn’t get what he wants. Either way, it doesn’t matter to me. I don’t have time to coddle poor little rich boys.

“I’m sorry. You’re right.” He steps out of the car, and the doors close.

My hands are still shaking and my stomach is still doing somersaults on the train ride home. I sit, the buildings of King’s Crossing rushing by, and I relive his lips on mine, his warm hands circling my waist. I’m jolted out of my daydream as the train stops at the station I need to walk to the bus that will drop me on my street. I live in a quiet residential neighborhood, and the rent isn’t bad. I don’t have much left at the end of the month, but I have a roof over my head, food in the fridge, and a job that can offer me room to grow.

If I didn’t just blow it.

Though, funnily enough, I think Zarah would be more disappointed in me for falling for her brother’s charms than Zane would be for turning him down. I’ll find out Monday if I still have a job or if I find my things packed in a box, Connie donning her usual told-you-so smirk. Getting mixed up with the Maddox family reallyisa bad idea. The only connection I want to Zane Maddox now is his signature on my paycheck.

No matter how sweet his lips are.

CHAPTER FOUR

Zane

Imeet Ashton Black at the gym bright and early the next morning for squash and breakfast.

Still stinging from the night before,spoiledandpamperedrun through my head, and other words I despise when people in my circle use them to get what they want:“Don’t you know who I am?”

Stella does. She already knows the real me, or thinks she does, and how is that supposed to make me feel? Although, how can I complain? I pulled my cock out of a nameless woman only ten minutes prior to meeting her.

She didn’t want to be sloppy seconds. Even mine. I can’t do anything but admire her for it.

“What bit you in the ass?” Ash asks, an eyebrow raised, holding out a racquet.

Ash Black is one of few who can speak like that, but instead of sounding like a prick, he’ll have whoever he called to task eating shit out of his hand—and feeling grateful for it.

I yank the racquet out of his grasp and frown.

Immediately, he looks chagrined. “Sorry. Sometimes I forget...”

I wish I could. Wish I could lose all memory of the night my father’s attorney came by and told Zarah and me what happened. The scent of Lucille’s chicken parm will be stuck in my nose forever. I’ll never be able to eat it again.

“Not a problem.” Ash is my best friend. We went to school together. From Kindergarten to graduating from Columbia with matching degrees.

We’re as close as me and Zarah.

Closer.

---