Page 25 of No Mercy In Red

I hesitated. My pride urged me to lie, but deep down, something more honest compelled me to meet his gaze head-on.

“You wouldn’t believe me if I denied it anyway.”

The corner of his mouth curved into a cocky grin, satisfaction gleaming in his eyes. He leaned down, lips grazing my ear, sending shivers down my spine.

“You’re mine now, Max. Deny it all you want, but we both know its true, or do yo need a reminder of how easily I can make you whimper my name?”

I couldn’t respond. My breath caught in my throat, my knees felt weak, and my heart pounded so loudly in my ears I could barely think straight. Connor pulled away with a smirk, leaving me trembling with a mixture of fury, arousal and sheer disbelief at my own reaction. As he walked way, I watched the confident sway of his walk, the strength radiating from every inch of him, and I knew I was utterly screwed. Not because I’d just willingly fallen into bed with my stalker – but because I couldn’t wait to do it again.

I slumped into my chair, heart pounding in my chest, my breathing uneven. Melinda approached, watching Connor walk away with curious eyes before looking back at me with raised brows and a knowing smirk.

“Honey, if you don’t keep that man, I will,” she teased.

I managed a shaky laugh. Did I want to keep him? Did I want to keep a man who was so obviously dangerous and quite clearly unhinged.

“Looks like you finally met your match with how heated that looked,” she laughed.

I sighed, sipping the coffee. “That’s what scares me the most, Mel.”

“Don’t let fear stop you from something good, Max,” she said gently, squeezing my shoulder. “You deserve a little fun in your life.”

I nodded, forcing a smile. Mel had no idea how fucked up this entire situation really was. If she knew the truth – that this man had infiltrated my life, my thoughts, in the most dangerously intoxicating way imaginable – she’d probably think I’d completely lost it.

Hell, maybe I had.

Chapter 21

Max

Iwas elbow deep in paperwork, cursing the gods for making my morning a never-ending torment, when I heard Lara’s overly cheerful voice echoing from the lobby,

“Is my favourite killer-of-joy assistant in here?” She called loudly, ignoring every professional boundary in existence.

I stifled my grin, swivelling in my chair as Lara strode into view in the doorway of my little office, her blonde hair swinging in effortless curls over her shoulders. “Please, Lara, come in. It’s not like I have work or anything.”

“Oh, relax. Im saving you from this depressing beige hell.” She gestured dramatically around the office, her disgust evident. “Who decorated this place? Satan’s accountant?”

I snorted, tossing my pen aside. “What do you want?”

She plopped down in the chair across my desk, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin. “You. Me. My parents’ lake house. This weekend.”

I hesitated, “Lara—”

“Don’t you dare say no,” she interrupted, holding her hand up. “I need this. Seriously. Im drowning in stress and horny enough to hump a fucking lamppost. I heard the local bar has some grade A dick and I needme some of that.” She wiggled her eyebrows at me, making a gesture with her hand that looked like she was wanking a cock.

I frowned, stifling my laugh “That’s an image I definitely did not need.”

“Too bad, because its true. Come on, Max. Lake views, no responsibilities, no creepy-ass dudes unless they’re the ones we choose to invite into our beds. It’s perfect.”

I bit my lip, genuinely temped. The idea of escaping for a few days sounded amazing, especially with the clusterfuck that was Connor consuming every second of my thoughts. Getting out of town for a few days might just clear my head and give me some perspective on whatever insanity I’d gotten myself into.

“Fine,” I finally relented, sighing dramatically. “But no hooking up with anyone who resembles a lamppost, okay”

She clapped her hands, bouncing excitedly. “Yes! Finally, something fun to look forward to. Can you get Friday afternoon off? Ill pick you up at two?”

“I’ll ask my boss, I’m sure he won't mind.”

She grinned, “The boss that eye fucks you at every given moment? He’s practically your lap dog, you say jump he says how high. I doubt he’ll say no.” She laughed, putting her hands in front of her like little paws whilst pretending to pant.

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