Page 44 of Keep It

“What?” I dart to the mirror. There on the juncture of my neck and shoulder is a purpling bruise, made by Danny biting down as he thrust deep — nope, not going there.

In vain, I try rubbing to see if it will come off. Cursing myself, I frantically run my fingers through my hair as I announce, “If anyone asks, I’ll just say I met someone. They don’t have to know it was you.”

Danny comes up behind me, his arms encircling my waist. “If I hear you give the credit for this to anyone other than myself,” he says, pressing his lips to the tender flesh. “I’ll mark you again and sign my name.”

My breath shakes as my pulse flutters beneath his mouth, my thighs clenching involuntarily. His tongue peeks out with a tender flick.

Reluctantly, I pull away from his arms. “This cannot happen.” I try to take a step away but his arms rest on the desk, caging me in.

“It’s already happened,” he smirks.

I glare at him through the mirror.

“What can’t happen?” he asks.

“This.” I gesture between us. “Us.”

“Oh really?” he says in my ear. “Are you sure about that?” His fingers trace the mark on my neck, before traveling along the neckline of my dress to the curve of my breast.

“Yes.”

“Hmm,” he says pensively. “No.”

“No?” I bite out.

“I think we should do it again.” His lips return to my neck, his thumb brushing a tender nipple. “And again.” Kiss. “And again.”

Tilting my head back, I almost let it happen, almost let myself be swept away by his criminal mouth and his smoldering eyes. But no, I have a job. A dream job. Sort of.

I grab his forearms. “We can’t.” It sounds like a lie even to my ears. “We have to go.”

He sighs but relents. “I’ll let it go for now. But I mean it about that hickey.” I flush. “And this conversation is not over. I will be in between your thighs again.” He comes closer, “And you’ll beg for more of my marks on your skin.”

I swallow against the rush of arousal that sweeps my body at his words and nod shakily.

“Fine, we can discuss this later, but we have to leave now.” I turn to the door. “And Danny?” I spin back towards him, bumping into the hard line of his body. “This never happened, okay?”

He smirks. “Whatever you say, freckles.” He gives my ass a gentle tap.

I scowl at him and pull open the door. His laugh slides down my spine and I curse myself for ever being so foolish, because deep down I know he’s right. This isn’t going anywhere.

***

As soon as the car pulls up, Jess arrives on Danny’s side of the car, handing him his sides for the day. Sarah accosts me before I can even close the door.

“What is the point of you if you can’t even get him to set on time?”

Willing myself not to blush. I steel my spine ready to spit out any excuse that comes to mind when Danny says over the car, “My fault, I slept with my headphones in and didn’t hear my alarm or the pounding on the door.” He glances at me and adds, “Late night.”

The blush deepens across my cheeks and I press my fingers to my nose awkwardly.

Luckily, Sarah doesn’t notice. “No problem, we just swapped around you and Adriana. They’re waiting for you now.” She gestures to the makeup truck behind us.

Danny nods and turns to follow Jess. I go to follow him but Sarah’s hand stops me.

“I’m not your boss but you need to step up. I know he’s a liability but he’syourliability.”

I bite my tongue before I ask how I’m supposed to wake up Danny from his headphone sleep — his fake sleep — but Danny throws over his shoulder. “Anya, do you have my book?”

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