Page 71 of Rough Around the Hedges

Thatkind of danger.

“That doesn’t sound like my problem. Perhaps you should keep your own perverted desires to yourself.” I coughed and got to my feet. “I’m going back to my room until someone comes with clothes and I can leave this place.”

“Rose. You can’t hide in there.”

I sighed and walked over to his desk, then perched on the edge of it, peering back at him. “If you’re trying to seduce me, don’t bother. I’m not responsible for your lust, Oliver.”

“You made me responsible for yours when you came onto me by telling me that I had a face you’d like to sit on.”

“And it was indeed a very comfortable seat,” I said. “But that was then, and this is now.”

“And now?”

“What about now?”

“Do you really feel nothing?”

I raised my eyebrows. “Why would I feel anything? You’re a grown man, I’m a grown woman, and we fucked with no expectations past that one time. That’s all there is to it. What is there for me to feel?”

Except the occasional traitorous tingling of my libido.

“We’ll see about that.” He pushed his chair back and got to his feet.

“What are you—”

The words had barely left my mouth before he was standing right in front of me with his hands planted on the desk, trapping me in place. His thumb brushed against my hip as he leant in, and his breath was hot against my ear as he said, “What about now? Still feel nothing?”

I leant back as far as I could and averted my eyes.

Yes.

Yes, I felt something.

He was handsome, and I was human. Not to mention I knew just what this man could—and would—do to my body given half a chance.

But I couldn’t. I couldn’t let him have his way with me. I couldn’t give in to him, no matter how my body tingled at his closeness.

I just… couldn’t.

16

ROSE

A Tale of Two Fucks

“Ifeel nothing,” I lied.

“Is that why you can’t look at me?”

I chose a book on the shelf to the left and fixed my attention on it. “I’m uncomfortable with your closeness.”

“I believe I’ve told you this before, but you’re a terrible liar.”

I really was. “Impressive, isn’t it? Given the amount of bullshit I spew, you’d think I’d be better at it,” I muttered.

He chuckled. “You’re not an idiot, Rose. You had to know what it would do to me if you came into my office wearing what you are.”

“And like I said, your horniness is not my responsibility.”

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