Page 11 of Bloom: Part 1

“If what Saint says is true, most men would jump at the chance to fuck me,” he said softly. “Why don’t you? Did I get it wrong? Are you a bottom?”

“I top exclusively.” I clamped my lips together too late. The words had already spilled out, and he wore a smug look.

“Can you wait for me to figure out this sex stuff?” He cocked his head to the side, shoved his hands under my lab coat, and felt my pecs. “Touching you makes me hard. Do you know that’s never happened with anyone?”

“The intricacies of your love life aren’t my concern.” I pried his hands away from my body. Another second of him rubbing on me like that and he wouldn’t be the only one hard.

“What intricacies?” He took a step back and slowly turned as he looked around my office. “Until I met you, the thought of lying naked with anyone repulsed me.”

What is it about me that makes me different, then?I didn’t want to be different. I didn’t want his attention. I didn’t want… him.

I bit my tongue before the question sprang from my lips. Bloom had a dangerous allure. He was a paradox in the flesh—beautiful on the outside, but I sensed darkness within him. Foul-mouthed and uncaring one second, yet frank and achingly vulnerable the next. I doubted nothing that came out of his mouth, which made it concerning that he’d set his sights on me. Even if I were interested in dating or relationships, I couldn’t have his special brand of unhinged behavior in my sedentary life. I was done with all that and had the wiped past to show for it.

“Look, Bloom, contrary to what you believe, there’s nothing special about me. My work is my life. I work eighty hours a week. The little time I have is reserved for sleeping, eating, and the occasional one-night stand. I don’t have time for a relationship, nor do I want one—and especially not with you.”

“Why especially not with me?” He crossed his arms. “I sent you pictures earlier, but you didn’t respond. Didn’t you like them? Saint says I’m not…ugly. Do you think I’m ugly? Is that why you won’t give me a chance?”

I frowned. “Who on earth would think you’re ugly? But it doesn’t matter how beautiful you are. I’m not interested in you. Do you understand?”

A few seconds of silence passed. Then his lips slowly curved into a smile. He dropped his hands and tilted his head.

God, he wasn’t merely beautiful. He was stunning. Breathtaking. Captivating.

“All I hear is that you think I’m beautiful.”

“Good god.” Talking to him was useless. I yanked out my chair and sat. “Leave.”

“I’m not ready to go yet.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m finished with this conversation. If you don’t go now, I’ll have security escort you from the building.” I placed my hand over the phone on my desk.

Bloom perched on my desk and took up a pair of scissors. “If you make that call, I’ll hurt you.”

Unfazed by his threat, I picked up the phone and punched in the extension for security.

After a brief pause, a bored voice came on the line. “Security desk. This is Officer Rose speaking.”

“Dr. Collier here. I’d—”

Bloom slammed his fist down on the hook, disconnecting the call. With a scowl, he dropped the scissors on my desk. “You’re taking advantage because you know I’d never truly hurt you.”

“Security will be here any minute.”

“Then let them. You think I came here unarmed? I always have my piece on me.”

My stomach clenched as a scene unfolded in my mind of Bloom confronting the security guard. If he had a weapon, they wouldn’t go easy on him. He could end up getting hurt or worse…

“You should go before they get here.”

“You’re the one who called them.”

“For god’s sake, Bloom, go.” He stubbornly refused to move his ass off my desk. “I may not want to be with you, but I… I don’t want anything to happen to you either.”

The stubborn fire in his eyes softened. “Now, was that so hard for you to admit?” He got up, seemed to think better of it, stretched across my desk, and smacked a kiss to my cheek. By the time I jerked back, it was too late. Those soft lips had already touched my skin. “I’ll see you soon, Dr. Collier. You still have enough time to fall in love with me before November.”

“Wha-a.” My voice came out croaky, and I cleared my throat. “What’s so special about November?”

A dark look crossed his features, like a shadow, shielding his emotions. A vacant, faraway look settled in his eyes. “Novemberis when the monsters come, and I have to kill them all over again.”

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