Page 50 of Beyond the Hate

I will not be the one opening the door to his private bathroom.

He drops his hand. “What did you do to my bathroom?”

“Nothing. As long as you don’t open the door.”

“So, basically, I can never open my closet or bathroom door again?”

“Pretty much.”

“I’ve learned my lesson. Never piss you off.”

“Good.”

“If you can’t use my bathroom, you can use the ladies room.”

I’m shaking my head before he can finish. “I’m not traipsing through the building with sex hair.”

He smirks. “I happen to like your sex hair.”

I roll my eyes. “You would. You’re a male. You’re reveling in our sexual encounter.”

“Not any sexual encounter. A sexual encounter with you.”

I ignore the implication. “I’ll drive home and clean up. I shouldn’t be long.”

I start toward my desk to grab my keys but Eli stops me. “I’ll drive you.”

“No thank you. I’m perfectly capable of driving myself.”

“My house is closer than yours. We’ll be there and back faster than if you drive to your house.”

“This is Smuggler’s Hideaway. Nothing is far.”

His eyes narrow on me. “Are you afraid of being seen with me?”

I wish I could lie and say I’m not. But I’m not one for lying. Lying causes miscommunication and there’s been enough miscommunication between the two of us.

“I prefer not to be seen with you in this condition. People will conclude we’ve had sex and before you know it everyone on the island – especially my friends – will be hounding us to begin a relationship.”

He scowls. “And you don’t want to be in a relationship with me?”

I wave a hand in dismissal. “I’m fine on my own.”

“I apologized for what I did in high school. I was a dumbass. Please don’t hold my idiocy against me.”

“I’m not. If anything, I should apologize to you for being a bitch. I should have confronted you and asked you why you didn’t show up. Instead, I assumed you stood me up.”

He steps closer. “You’re not a bitch.”

“I’m not but I did act bitchy toward you. I’m sorry.”

“There’s no need to apologize.”

“Nonetheless. My apology has been said.”

“Thank you. Can we now get going? I need to be back for an investor meeting in an hour.”

“You go ahead. There’s no need for us to go together.”

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