Page 61 of Conquering Oz

“Sit down, Elodie.”

“No.” She cleared her throat.

He tightened his grip. “Elodie.”

“I can’t do this right now. I’ve just spent the last hour confirming what I already knew. I’m screwed. I just exhausted my last option, and I have nowhere to go from here. This was my Hail Mary, Oz. So, I don’t have the energy for this back and forth with you, going head-to-head. And quite frankly, I’m not a fan of yours right now, so I have no interest.”

Oz steeled his features, fighting against his smile. It was a feat after her last comment.

“Why is that?”

She snorted, stepping closer. “You don’t think I’ll say it.”

Oz wasn’t sure what she would say. Elodie fired up was a side he’d only seen once, and it hadn’t been directed at him. She’d been rather loud at his club in the altercation with Julian. Oz wouldn’t stand for any outbursts. He’d always been discreet, careful not to bring any unwanted attention his way. It made his next statement all the more out of character for him.

“If you have something to say” —he paused— “say it.”

She lifted her chin. “You don’t think I will?”

Oz arched his brow, essentially challenging her.

Elodie laughed. “You’re looking at a woman who has nothing to lose. I barely have anything left. I was holding onto my dignity, but since that’s dwindling, I may as well go down in a blaze of glory without regrets.” She scanned his face, and her eyes lost a bit of spark. “Iwantedyou to call.”

Her admission, while honest, left her in a vulnerable state. Oz recognized that. But what she didn’t realize was his desire heightened hearing her say those five words. He’d had every intention of calling her once the issue with Karl had been contained. It seemed he’d waited too long. He stared back at her, knowing if she walked away, it would be the end.

Without thinking, Oz pulled her closer, but Elodie resisted. She tugged at her arm, and he tightened his grip. “I have to go.”

“No.”

“Oz.” Her warning did nothing to loosen his hold.

“No.”

Her eyes widened, and her demeanor shifted instantly. The silence between them was reeling with tension.

She leaned closer, lowering her voice. “In my bed, naked and spread for you, your dominance was hot. Never came so hard in my life, or with any other man, Oz.”

Oz clenched his jaw. He knew what she was doing. It was a good strategy. For all his control, even he couldn’t dismiss thevisual she was describing. Envisioning her from that night sent a charge through his veins, heating his blood.

“But in a public restaurant, non-consensual” —she smirked— “it’s a felony charge.”

Touche, love.Elodie was proving to be an unexpected worthy opponent. For the first time in her presence, he let down his guard slightly and smiled.

Elodie knitted her brows and blinked. “I’m serious.”

“I know you are.”

Elodie snorted. “If I had known threatening you would get a reaction, I would’ve done that the night we met.”

Oz pulled her closer, and this time Elodie came willingly. Her hip brushed against his thigh.

“I had an issue with one of my companies. It took me out of town for a few days, and I was unavailable to almost everyone.”

She pursed her lips. His honest answer didn’t seem to be enough to convince her. It was fair, he hadn’t given her much. It was easy to tell she was weighing her options and in a silent struggle. Oz was good at reading people. She wanted to hear him out. Elodie brushed her hand over her neck, she bowed her head slightly, and her hair slipped past her shoulder. She slyly glanced down at his hand clasped over her wrist. His fingers caressed over her skin. She glanced up at him, and he knew she needed more. And Oz gave it to her.

“Give me your phone.”

She slowly glanced over and dug in her bag, pulling out her phone. Oz had several he used for different avenues of business. But there were only a handful of people who had his direct line. He was taking a risk, which wasn’t something he did often. Until now.

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