Page 73 of Kisses and Paperclips

“Why me?”

His smile vanished. “Is that a serious question?”

“I don’t get your fixation.” I forced a shrug. “You already had me. Shouldn’t I be out of your system by now?”

“I like how you talk to me.”

“All I do is give you shit.”

His grin returned. “Exactly.”

“You’re twisted.”

“Women who are unafraid to voice their opinions?” His voice dropped. “That’s fucking sexy.”

"This is just a game to you."

My words came softer than I intended, but they landed hard.

Julien stilled. That infuriating smirk faltered for the first time.

He leaned in—close enough for me to see the gold flecks in his eyes.

Close enough to feel his words before he spoke them.

"You want to know what’s not a game?"

His voice dropped, rough at the edges.

"The way I lose track of conversations when you wear your hair down like that. How I’ve memorized the exact shade of pink on your nails, how it hits different against your brown skin. Like it was made for you.”

His thumb brushed my wrist, barely a touch, but it scorched.

“And that birthmark by your lip? I dream about tracing it with my tongue.”

A shiver tore through me.

“So no, Serena.”

He exhaled like it cost him something real.

“This stopped being a game the second you pulled me in—dropped that kiss on me and ruined me for everyone else.”

When I finally met his eyes, they had gone startlingly intense.

“How many others have heard that line?” I challenged.

“None.”

“Right.”

“I’ve called women beautiful before.” He held my gaze. “Never said it like that, though. Almost handed you that CEO title just to have you.”

“You still can’t.”

“Yet.”

“Even without the promotion, nothing’s happening.”

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