Page 147 of Beyond the Cottage

But he didn’t give a shit. He’d rather let witches take over the whole damn world than go through with this. And even if Gretta was making therightdecision, how the hell had she gotten there so easily?

“You seem to have it all figured out,” he said.

Her fingertips whitened where she held the draft. Blinking hard, she set it on the bench and put more space between them.

Ansel shriveled further.

But he didn’t bother trying to sway her. As ever, there’d be no changing her mind, certainly not about this. And hewasan asshole for hoping she would.

He still didn’t care.

“What does our new friendship look like, then?” he asked tightly. “I suppose you ought to define things for me, lest I overstep professional boundaries.”

“Well…we’re not supposed to see each other outside work.”

Fucking ridiculous!“Shouldn’t be a problem. We’ll take our lunch breaks together. What else?”

“We can’t touch each other inappropriately.”

“Yes, I believe you covered that. Am I permitted to wave at you when we cross paths, or would that be too personally intimate?”

“Ansel, stop.”

“I’m just trying to be practical, Gretta.”

“You’re making this harder.”

“Am I? You don’t seem to be struggling all that much.”

She inhaled sharply. He willed her to go off, to give himanyreason to believe she cared about him as much as fighting fucking witches.

She briefly closed her eyes and turned to him. “Look. It was fun, but we can’t let our physical relationship fuck this up.” Almost to herself, she muttered, “It wouldn’t have lasted, anyway.”

Ansel recoiled. A kick to his dick would have hurt less. He’d already known something long-term wasn’t going to happen, but she made it sound like fucking him had been a weekend diversion.

But hadn’t he always known this would happen? And hadn’t he predicted he’d become a possessive jackass if they started a physical relationship? Was any of this truly a surprise?

It wasn’t, but her cool facade unnerved him. He wanted to punish her for it, to provoke some emotion. He was playing the villain now, after all.

Ansel sprawled on the bench, draping his arm above her shoulders. “A shame. But you’re right, it was fun while it lasted. You’re a marvelous fuck buddy, Gret, my thanks for rekindling the libido I’d too long neglected.”

Her mouth thinned, but she didn’t respond.

“To be clear, I’m free to seek my pleasures elsewhere?” He begged her with his eyes to tell him she’d cut off his cock if he so much as looked at anyone else.

She glanced away. “I guess.”

“Splendid. But I fear my seduction game is rusty. Perhaps you’ll be a sport and put in a good word with the ladies?”

“Knock it off.”

“Tell me, do you think the senator objects to colleagues grabbing drinks after work? You can introduce me to women at the pub.”

“You don’t drink,” she snapped.

“Eh. I can make an exception if it’ll get me laid.”

She got to her feet, slamming a hand on her hip. “Quit being an asshole about this. You know it’s the right thing.”

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