Page 35 of Crash

“Shut up,” she says.

“Make me,” I say back, and she slips her tongue in my mouth again.I pull it in and suck on it.I grab her breast over her shirt and give it a good squeeze.

We both feel a vibration at the same time. It’s like ice water on a fire. We stop mid-kiss and stare at each other. Reality dawns on us and she jumps off my lap. She fixes her clothes, grabs the scarf from the floor, and ties it back around her neck. Without so much as a glance or a goodbye, she leaves my office, closing the door behind her.

CHAPTER 18

VIVI

It’s Friday evening, and after sliding my dinner inside Sandy’s dual-range oven, I practically skip to my room. The dogs follow me, but I close the door to my bedroom as soon as I enter, freezing them out. The last time I let them in while I showered, they made a mess. Since Fridays are casual at the office, I take off my jeans and sweater and toss them in the hamper. As I wait for the water to heat, I put on my shower cap before stepping inside.

I let the hot water relax my tense muscles, relieved to have the first week of the new job behind me. Despite the horrible first day with Luke, things have improved between us. We’re not friends, but we are now cordial.

I make sure to keep a professional distance.

Yeah, right. I guess dry humping him in his office on your second day of work was your idea of professional distance.

I clear my mind of that day. No need to relive that kiss or the one that happened prior. He is my boss, and just a few days ago, he was my enemy. I need to keep this professional, and the best way to do that is to make sure I am never alone with him again. I can concede that Lucas Clark is hot. Whether he’s wearing a suit or jeans and a sweater, the man is one sexy beast, but there are plenty of other sexy men that I can ogle. Like Blake, though he’s not on the same level as Luke.

Luke’s taller, broader, and when he smiles, his entire face changes. Like that time he laughed when Juan put on some music and started to twerk. Or that time he practically tackled Troy in the lobby and Troy lost his balance. Troy was not amused, but Luke had to hold on to the wall to control his laughter. He looked so carefree and happy at that moment I couldn’t help but laugh too.

He must have heard me laughing because he looked my way and caught my eye. The laughter died in my throat and I quickly averted my gaze and began to type something on the computer

I wash quickly. I scrub my skin as if I’m trying to rid thoughts of Luke from my mind. He is all wrong for me, not that I’m even looking. The last thing I want, or need is a relationship. Practically everyone I know who is in a relationship is miserable. My parents, for example. A few of my friends who aren’t even married, but are so afraid of being alone, put up with anything. That’s not for me. I’d rather be by myself than be miserable with someone who is supposed to love me.

It’s fine to look, I remind myself. He’s good eye candy, and I’m not blind, but we could never be anything else. Even if I change my mind and decide to try the relationship thing, he would not be the one for me. But who am I kidding? I will never be in a relationship. If I wanted that, I would be with Blake right now instead of enjoying a Friday night in solitude.

I turn off the water and step out of the most luxurious shower I’ve ever enjoyed only to wrap myself with the decadent towel. After changing into a pair of black leggings, I dig out a black t-shirt with wild feminist written in bold, white letters. I put my hair in a messy bun and make my way back to the kitchen. My mouth waters at the smell of the salmon I have cooking in the oven.

The dogs come walking to me as soon as they see me.

“I’ll get you guys fed soon. I guess I need to take you two out, don’t I?” I look outside and it’s gray and cold. “Or maybe I can just let you two out in the yard.”

After pulling my food out of the oven, I turn to the dogs who are staring at me.

“Fine! I’ll let you two out now so you can let me eat in peace.” As I walk towards the sliding glass door leading to the back yard, I hear the front door open. I do an about-face.

“Sandy! Did you guys change your mind about going to New York?” I yell.

“Not as far as I know,” Luke says as he walks up the stairs.

He’s changed out of the clothes he had on earlier. Now he’s in dark blue jeans and a light blue, long-sleeved ribbed tee that shows off his tapered waist and wide chest.

Damn.

“Hey, Luke. What are you doing here?” I ask, trying to sound as nonchalant as possible.

“Jake asked me to walk the dogs for him.” He whistles and the dogs go running to him. He grabs two leashes and attaches them to their collars.

“I was going to take them out,” I lie.

He looks over my body, his eyes lingering a little too long. I can feel my cheeks blush as he looks directly at my chest. Ordinarily, I’d either grab a sweater or cross my arms and shield my boobs but don’t. I can feel my nipples pucker underneath my t-shirt. Since I’m not wearing a bra, he notices it too, but as soon as he does, he shakes his head and turns away.

“You can’t control Zeus. He outweighs you by about thirty pounds.” He pulls the dogs and starts to walk towards the stairs. I follow behind him.

“That doesn’t matter. If I speak to him in a firm voice, he’ll do as I say.” I have no idea if that’s true since I’ve never had a dog, but I can’t be the first petite person to walk a big dog.

“Oh, really, dog whisperer. Tell me more, oh wise one.”

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