Page 42 of Our Little Cliche
“So what books have you edited? Anything I’d know?” I attempt to redirect her focus on me again.
“Probably not. I worked with independent authors. But that was only a side hustle to make extra money. I was trying to save for a deposit for a house, but that dream’s gone now.”
“Why is it gone?”
She fixes me a look like I’m stupid for asking. “I spent every penny I own.”
“Oh, yes… that one night you got drunk. Why don’t you tell me about the magazine place, then?”
“Alright, well as you know I used to work for an Australian garden and interior design magazine. My job there was mostly editing, I was actually titled deputy editor, but sometimes I managed the styling template. I helped give what the writers and journalists were putting down a voice. It was the best job I’ve ever had, no offense.”
“Some taken,” I joke sarcastically, and she smiles. It’s nice to see her smiling instead of scared or hurt.
The friction between us spikes again. If I let whatever is brewing between us continue for too long, it’s only a matter of time before I end up with my mouth on hers. I know she wants it too, and she does a piss poor job at hiding it. But I’m a man of my word. I’m staying away from her.
If she wants me, she will have to tell me.
“I loved it at the firm, everyone was a perfect fit. No colleague rivalry, everyone was paid well. And working for myself was strange, but amazing. I had some amazing authors I edited for. It’s hard for the Aussie writers to make it in the big world, so whatever I could do for them, I did. Even if it meant being paid less.”
“That sounds truly amazing. You have a passion for being engulfed in a good story, then?”
“I do. I’m a sucker for a good romance.”
“Me too,” I admit proudly.
“Do you read much?”
“Everyday. When I’m not writing, of course.”
“How is that going by the way?”
Holly hasn’t read what I’ve written so far, and I’m not even certain I want her to anymore. This one is even more erotic than the last one she read. If I see her feedback, or worse…arousal, I’ll?—
My cock wakes just thinking about it.
“It’s going… great.”You’re inspiring it.Writing fictional characters that do all of the things I want to do to Holly is the only thing I can do to stop the urge. “Tell me about the last story you worked on.”
“My last job?” Her cheeks flush.That spicy, huh?“I had only just managed to finish editing it before I… well, you know.”
“Before your life changed forever after getting drunk one night and deciding to move to another country but not knowing about it until a week later, then having all your panties thrown up in the air when you bumped into some strange, hot piece of ass?” I inhale my lost breath.
She rolls her eyes, toying with me. “You seem to remember that fact quite easily.”
“I may have heard it a few times.”
I still can’t imagine what she’s going through, and it was all thanks to some jerk. Anger surfaces through my veins, making me clench my fists. If I ever saw him I’d knock him seven ways to Sunday for doing what he did to her. And for a man built like me, Sunday would take him pretty damn far.
“Pfft, what an absolute fucking idiot,” I huff in disbelief.Holly is perfect, who in their right mind would hurt her?
“Gee, thanks!”
Her brows pinch as she moves away from me. The reflection from the orange flames hit her face in just the right way that it highlights her features. The bone structure of her profile holds the perfect amount of feminine and grace.
“I didn’t mean you,” I correct quickly. She turns back to look at me over her shoulder. “I meant thatexof yours.”
“Oh, right. Yeah, nah, he was the extra luggage that I didn’t need.” She mutters the next bit through her teeth, “That I didn’t know I had. But I see that now.”
There is not a single hair on my body that isn’t standing on its tips right now just from looking at her. Thirty six years I’ve walked this earth and not one woman has made me feel the way Holly does. “Good. You deserve better than him, anyway. So, as you were saying. Editing for authors must be better than the crappy jobs I give you.”
