Page 20 of First Comes Love… Then Denial

“You okay?” I asked, rubbing her arm.

“Yeah. I’m fine. Thanks,” she whispered. “I just need to get going before I’m late for work.”

“Or… I can call your boss and get you a paid day off,” I smirked.

“It doesn’t work like that,” she laughed, shaking her head.

“It can.”

Without thinking, I let go of her and walked absent-mindedly over to my pants. Digging into my front pocket, I dug out my phone.

“What are you doing?” Candice asked with an eyebrow raised.

“Buying your time.”

The moment the words left my mouth, I regretted them. Her death glare was confirmation that I had royally fucked up. What woman wanted to be bought? Besides gold diggers?

“I didn’t mean it like that, Candice. It came out wrong.”

“And how should it have come out,Zane?”She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “Do you always buy women?”

“Candice,” I groaned. You’re worried about work. I want to spend time with you. Your boss is materialistic so I figured–”

“Figured you could buy me?”

“It wasn’t about buyingyou.I just wanted some time with you.” My words came out an unintentional growl.

“There are other ways to getmy time!”she retorted, taking a step towards me.

“Like how?” I countered, closing the gap between us. “How am I supposed to spend more time with you?”

“Ask me out on a date like a normal fucking person.”

Candice poked me in the chest. Her nostrils flared as she took heavy breaths. Her fists were balled at her sides.

She looked like she was ready to destroy the world, but she also looked fucking sexy. Her hair was down her back. The sun shining through the window behind her made her look like an angel. A beautiful, naked angel.

“You aren’t even fucking listening to me!” she growled, turning her back to me.

My arms wrapped around her waist and I pressed our bodies together. Her warmth radiated against my own bare skin.

“Perfect,” I whispered into her ear.

“Perfect? Hmmph.” She shooked her head.

“You’re perfect to me.”

“Whatever. I don’t need anymore of your bullshit.” Her words were all smoke. I knew this because of her soft tone and quivering body.

“Can I have the pleasure of taking you out on a date?”

“Oh now you want to do stuff properly?” she scoffed.

“I’m sorry, Candice. What can I do to get you to forgive me?”

If she didn’t bolt, she was never going to let me live this down. It would take a miracle to fix this.

“I have to stop by my place and get ready,” she glanced over her shoulder at me. “You’re going to need to let go of me.”

I shook my head and grinned.

“What?” Her eyebrow rose.

“You’re going to make me resort to puppy dog eyes or my boyishcharms[2][3].”

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