Page 86 of Consumed By You
“Because you’re stubborn.”
“So are you.”
“As I said before, good night, and thank you for this.” I turn to leave, but he grips my arm again, gentler this time.
“Let me take you home.”
“No, I’m getting a cab.”
“I don’t want to end tonight like this,” he says passionately. “Please, just stay. You know you want to stay.”
“Why should I? We’re about to rip each other’s throats out!”
His lips curve into an irresistible smile. “Speak for yourself.” He brushes a loose strand of hair away from my eyes. I try to keep my face completely expressionless even though I can’t help the jolt to my heart at his touch. “I’ve never found you sexier.”
“Let me go, Benjamin.”
“No.” He curves his arm around my waist, drawing me close. “I won’t.”
“Stop doing this to me,” I beg, knowing full well there are people stopping to watch the spectacle. “I want to go home.”
“Okay, let me drive you then.” His face is mere inches from mine.
“Fine.” I give up the fight.
He grins, obviously enjoying the look of pure resentment on my face. “Now kiss me,” he whispers, anxiously observing the people staring at us. His words are so soft I barely know if heactually said them.
Surely not…Right?
“Excuse me?”
“Kiss me so that’s what is printed in the papers tonight and not this fight.” His nose nuzzles softly with mine.
Papers?I’m suddenly shivering and lean in, not having to be told again. Fighting with Benjamin is honestly the best foreplay. Hesitantly, I touch the smooth skin along his jawline with my cold fingers. As if a jolt of lightning shoots straight through me, I shiver in his arms and open my mouth against his, deepening the kiss.
His warm tongue tastes of champagne and I’m humming eagerly at the familiarity. My hand slowly travels into his hair, disrupting his combed-back style, but I don’t care. My mind, for once, is completely cleared and all I can focus on is the warm heaviness of his lips clashing with mine. Surprisingly, he is the one to pull back first, and a good thing too, considering I was about to start unbuttoning his shirt. I open my eyes to find him smiling warmly at me, the corners of his eyes crinkled, full of endearment. It’s a look I’ve never seen before, and it does something to me…everywhere.
Drifting back to reality, my consciousness finally resurfaces from the deep oblivion that is my brain, reinforming me that we are not the only people in this room. Far from it.
My face burns with the heat of a thousand suns.
How could I lose control like that? In front of half of New York?
Within seconds, reporters are swarming us, obviously realizing they have a better story here. Fortunately, Benjamin, used to this kind of publicity, reacts fast and ushers me out the front doors.
“When did this relationship begin, Mr. Scott?”
“Is it love, Mr. Scott?”
“Aren’t you Darcy Fontaine, Mr. Scott’s previous assistant?”
The last question gets my attention and I make eye contact with a young girl who has to be around my age, holding a microphone. A large man stands behind her, holding a camera with a red light on the top. They’re recording.
She just said my name.On television.
I immediately recognize the price of what I just did in my momentary incoherence. Benjamin probably wanted an inconspicuous kiss, one that would make people believe we were just two lovers finishing a heated discussion. But of course, being me, I had to practically profess my love for him in front of a room of people.
Dimitri is by our side in seconds, guarding us like a wall. Benjamin’s arm tightens around my waist and he helps me into the car. The reporters are still screaming, flashing pictures outside as Dimitri shuts the door behind Benjamin.
