Page 44 of Wild Blades

Softening her glazed eyes around the edges, she goofily smiles. “Okay, Mr. Bossy. But I do have some wrinkles under my eyes, so maybe he’s right.” She pulls the skin of her face downward, making her look like the prettiestScreammask on planet Earth.

“Stop it.” I stare her down and tuck a loose tendril of ebony hair behind her ear again.

Placing my hands on either side of her, I really look at her.

As if I’m seeing her for the first time, pure, fresh faced, and woozy with booze, it blows me away at how gorgeous she is. All natural, she’sstop you in your tracksstunning and labeled a supermodel for a reason.

And those eyes; okay they’re glazed more than maraschino cherry, and darker than black ink, but I want to dip my quill into them and tattoo her name across my skin.

“Hi,” she says, all silly and playful, a complete contrast to her when we are working together. She’s gonna be mad at herself in the morning for allowing Michael to make her lose control of her emotions tonight, and for letting me see this other side of her. The one that doesn’t look like she’s got a stick stuck up her ass. She’s usually all business, all the fucking time.

“You’re not a has been or an old hag. If you weren’t so drunk, I’d kiss you to show you how much I’m attracted to you.” She won’t remember what I’ve said in the morning. “Felt something between us earlier.”

“That was your penis.” She blurts out her words on a giggle.

I shake my head from side to side. “Not what I meant.”

“You have nice eyes.” Surprising me, I know it’s the drinks talking. “Dreamed about them a few times and couldn’t stop looking at you in our meeting with Leon this week,” she confesses, stuttering in places as she tries to get each syllable out of her mouth.

“Dreamed about them?” I take a shot at pulling more information from her. I’m a sick bastard, I know, but my ego needs a little stroking.

Kali points at them. “They look like magic. I think I could get lost in them and never find my way out.”

I would let her climb in and never let her escape. It’s what I want more than anything.

“Would you want to leave?”

“No.” She leans in as if she’s trying to get a better look. “Magic.” She sighs, as if in awe. “Might like your face too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah, you can be a bit of a dick though.” Scrunching her nose up, she looks cross. “Wadepain in the assCollins. That’s what Ash calls you. That’s my new nickname for you too.”

I laugh at her honesty. “Not the first time I’ve heard that.” But I hate being called names. My mother did it to me for most of my life until I cut her out of it.

Tucking her lips into her mouth, she surprises me with another admission. “If you weren’t such a dick, I think I’d like to kiss you too.” I like knowing this. While alcohol makes me act out, it would appear it’s Kali’s truth juice.

She yawns wider than a hippo, and I know our moment is done.

My mind is spinning, processing all the things she’s just said. Tension works its way into my body, knowing she can never be mine. Not while we are working together.

Plus, she said the age difference was a concern for her.

I don’t care in the slightest. But I can’t change her mind.

My lips pucker with annoyance at the whole situation, and I run my hand down my face.

“Time for bed.” I lift her off the vanity.

My arms around her waist, I guide her as she walks on unsteady feet to my bed.

I watch as she moves onto her side and curls herself into a ball. Tucking the blankets under her chin, she’s out cold in minutes and I can’t help thinking about how good she looks in my jersey and between the sheets of my bed.

A guy can only dream.

You’re too young for me.

Yeah, she’s probably right.

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