Page 45 of The Manny

“If you say so.”

“You don’t think I care?” He scowled.

“I think you like living vicariously through other people. You nag me, but you enjoy being on the outside too.”

“Bullshit. I’m engaged in the world. You’re hiding from it.”

“You know nothing about me.”

“And you know nothing about me either,” he growled, his face twitching. He closed his eyes, obviously struggling to control his temper. When he opened his eyes, he looked a little calmer. “Look, it’s obvious you and I don’t get along. From the moment we met, we’ve been at odds.”

“I know. That’s why I didn’t want to hire you.”

“How about we stay out of each other’s way? I won’t talk to you unless it’s absolutely necessary. I’ll just focus on Mia.”

“Or you could quit.”

“No way. I’m not leaving Mia alone with a cold-hearted man like you.”

I clenched my jaw. “Maybe I’ll just fire you then.” He was so close, I could see the dark line around the blue of his iris. I could feel his body heat and smell his shower gel. I was angry with him, but my dick hardened as I held his gaze. How could I be attracted to him, while simultaneously wanting to strangle him?

“Don’t you dare fire me.”

“Or what?” I laughed.

Uneasiness swept his features. “I love that little girl. Can you say the same?”

I stiffened. “I’m her guardian. You have no standing here.”

He narrowed his eyes. “Are you seriously going to rip me from her life? I’m the only thing stable in her world.”

“I’m stable.”

“You’re stable like an iceberg. She needs warmth. Love.”

“I’ll hire someone more suitable.”

“Suitable for who? You? This is about what Mia needs, not you.” He raked a hand through his hair, looking worried. “I don’t want to leave. Not yet. It’s too soon.”

“Then you need to keep out of my way,” I growled, leaning into him. “Stop needling me.”

He grunted as our chests bumped. “Fine.”

My nostrils flared as I held his obstinate gaze. “You’re so fucking annoying.”

“I feel the same way about you, Jack.” Pink spread over his cheeks, showing he was equally physically aware of me. His gaze dropped to my mouth. “We need to find a way to get along better.”

“I don’t know that we do need to do that.”

“Yeah, we do.”

“Well, you’d know best,” I grumbled, my pulse picking up at the look in his eyes.

What in God’s name is going on between us?

We seemed to share a twisted attraction, even as we loathed each other. His challenging expression stoked something inside of me. Instinctively I wanted to show him who was boss. I craved the chance to put him in his place. As I held his surly gaze, I had a sudden image of him writhing beneath me, begging me to fuck him.

That salacious thought hit me like a punch to the gut, and I moved away from him. Lust prickled my skin, even as embarrassment filled me. I’d never been attracted to someone I disliked so intensely before. It was unsettling. Humiliating. I really wanted to touch him. Taste him. Fuck him through the mattress until he acknowledged I was in charge.

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