Page 22 of Tempt Thy Neighbor

He went off to school on the East Coast, and I went west.

I didn’t see him for four years, not until we ended up seated together at the same event and then again a week later.

He wasn’t in my life for four years, and then suddenly he was everywhere. It didn’t take us long to find our way back to the coat closet, hiding away and losing ourselves in each other.

I felt eighteen all over again. Felt like maybe I’d been wrong about him and maybe he wasn’t as bad as I’d made him out to be.

But of course that was probably just my hormones talking as his mouth caressed my skin. His lips on my neck, my breasts…his tongue trailing down my stomach to the parts where I really wanted him most. His fingers digging into my hips, hands shoving my dress to my waist as I rubbed against his hand until I fell apart.

Then, he righted my clothes, pressed a kiss to my cheek, and…didn’t speak to me again.

It was the ultimate one-up.

He’d won.

I offered myself to him and he took whatever he wanted and then discarded me when he was finished. I was livid I’d let him get the better of me, let him see me at my most vulnerable.

For the first time, I was eager for the next charity gala I had to attend, ready to seek him out and give him a piece of my mind.

For the first time, he showed up with a date.

The next event? A new date.

And the trend continued.

Every time he arrived with someone new, my hatred for him burned even hotter.

It’s not like I was harboring feelings for him or anything.

No. It was my pride that was wounded knowing he’d used me.

My abhorrence for him grew every time I had to sit across from him, smirking at me like he’d won the grand prize.

Now I can’t stand the sight of him. He’s nothing but a spoiled asshole just like I thought he was.

“Oh.” A frown forms on Emma’s perfectly plump, red-painted lips as she pulls me back into the real world. “I’m guessing it didn’t end well?”

“There was nothing to end,” I tell her. It’s mostly true. We weren’t dating and we definitely weren’t in a relationship—but I didn’t quite think we werenothingeither. “Our families have been friends for a long time, so I’ve known Sutton for years. That’s all.”

“Ah. I see.” She nods. “And if I were to…” She trails off, and I know exactly what she’s asking.

I want to warn her that dating Sutton likely isn’t the best idea. That all he’s going to do is get what he wants from her and cast her aside, just like he did me. Just like he did the others.

But…the words don’t come.

Instead, I say, “I thought there were strict rules about dating coworkers.”

“There are, but they can only be enforced if someone finds out…”

I shake my head. “You wouldn’t have to worry about me,” I assure her. “And you have absolutely nothing to worry about when it comes to Sutton and me. There arezerofeelings between us.”

At least nothing other than hate.

“Oh, thank god.” She blows out a breath. “Because that man…” She licks her lips. “I would take a ride on his disco stick any day of the week.”

I tuck my lips together, trying not to laugh.

There’s movement over her shoulder, drawing my attention.

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