Page 41 of Crash

I spent the rest of the day reading, watching the snowfall, and trying not to think about Luke Clark. We started off as enemies, but now we have a truce. Neither one of us is looking for a relationship. Never mind the fact that he’s the brother of my cousin’s husband. The same people I currently live with. That’s the definition of complicated. It’s best we keep the truce going, and when I see him in his office, I will suggest we remain work acquaintances only. Maybe he can spend more time at Troy’s house.

I still don’t understand why he doesn’t get his own place, but I refuse to stick my nose in where it doesn’t belong.

At exactly 10:30, when it’s time for my break, Colleen takes over and I go into Luke’s office as requested. He has the door open, and I tap on it as I walk in.

“Close the door, please.” I comply before I walk to the front of his desk and wait for him to speak. He’s clean-shaven today, and I wonder how it would feel to run my hand along his jaw.

The office has a relaxed dress code for the entire month of December, and he’s wearing a V-neck sweater and a pair of dark pants. It also looks like he might have gotten a haircut between the time I saw him yesterday to today.

“You wanted to see me?” I finally ask.

He clears his throat and stands up, filling the small space. On instinct, I take a step back.

“I wanted to apologize for yesterday.”

“Yesterday?” I feign ignorance, but I know what he’s talking about.

“Yes. For the touching.”

“Oh, when you stroked my thigh and squeezed my ass in my cousin’s kitchen?” His cheeks redden in embarrassment.

“Yes. That was inappropriate of me.”

This needs to end right now.

“Let’s forget about it. I want to offer my own apology for past events.” I clear my throat when he arches his eyebrows at me. “You’re with Zoey, and I’m not the type of girl who goes after another girl’s man. And Blake and I are sort of a thing.” His eyes darken at the mention of Blake’s name. The embarrassment is gone, replaced with irritation. He takes a step forward, and I take three steps back right into the wall.

“I’m not with Zoey that way.”

“That way? Well, whatever way, you two have something going on. Whatever you have going on is enough where you invited her to your family’s house for Thanksgiving and introduced her as your girlfriend.” He opens his mouth to speak, but I hold my hand up. “What I’m saying is, whatever happened between us, let’s not let it happen again. You’re with someone. I’m with someone, and we,” I say, gesturing between the two of us, “can never, ever be anything. Sandy is the only thing we have in common, so let’s not forget that. We have a truce now, but until recently, we couldn’t stand to be in the same room. Let’s just be professional here at work, and cordial when we’re doing the family thing.”

I do a loud exhale after finishing my speech, which I’d practiced in my head ever since he asked me to come into his office.

“Well, that was a mouthful. Two days ago, you said you’d never be in a relationship and now you’re with Blake?” His voice is low, and his lips form a thin line after he finishes his question. “It sounds to me like you’re running away from something.”

“I said I’d never be in anything serious or complicated. I’m not in any danger of that with Blake, but you know what? That’s my business, not yours. I’m an adult and I don’t owe you or anyone else any explanations.” I reach for the door to get the hell out of his office, but his large hand slams against the door before I can open it and flee.

I leave my back to him and wait for him to remove his hand so I can leave. Even though he’s not touching me, my body has already reacted. I can feel the blood pounding between my ears and the color creeping up my neck.

“I never figured you for a coward.”

I turn to face him, craning my neck to look into his green eyes.

“Excuse me? Coward? Who the hell are you calling a coward?” I poke at his chest. When he doesn’t even flinch, I put both hands on his chest and try to shove him. Instead of moving, he stands there, crowding me in.

“Dating a guy who’s safe. Coward move.”

“Oh, and what about you and that airhead, trust fund Barbie doll you had over for Thanksgiving. Maybe that bleach she uses on her hair has seeped into her brain. At least Blake’s not an idiot.”

Done with this conversation, I turn to leave his office, but he grabs my shoulder, and spins me around in one swift move. I open my mouth to give him a stinging rebuke, but he presses his body into mine, pushing me completely against the door. When I feel his erection against my hip, I tilt my head up to look at him. He holds my gaze as he presses himself further into me.

“Let’s get one thing straight, Zoey has never been nor will she ever be my girlfriend. I didn’t invite her over for Thanksgiving; she showed up on her own. I haven’t seen or spoken to her since that night.”

I try to open the door open, but it’s impossible with him holding it shut. I give up and glare up at him. “Let me out of here or else.”

“Or else what?” he asks, his voice husky. “You’re going to do what? And I disagree about Blake not being an idiot. What else would you call a man who sticks around when it’s obvious you’re not into him? Either he’s an idiot or he’s desperate. Desperate, little bitch Blake.”

He shifts my body, and instead of feeling is erection on my thigh, it’s now pressing directly against my core. I hear myself moan as I feel the heaviness of him. I involuntarily start to grind against him as he sticks his head into the side of my neck. He runs his nose across my throat, inhaling my scent.

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