Page 39 of Power
“No guy? Or girl?”
I shake my head, still not trusting this to not be a test. “No guys or girls, sadly.”
He makes a sad face but then smiles. “You’ll find someone, pretty girl like you.”
“Aww, you’re sweet.”
He chuckles. “Well, if you aren’t spilling, it’s my turn. So, Pete, my boyfriend, is desperate to move in. I mean, like desperate!” He sing-songs the word, and the hands go up again, making me smile. “I’m playing hard to get, but I think he’s catching on. I’m going to have to agree soon, I think.”
“Do it. If you want him there, life’s too short.”
He gives me a horrified look. “Wow, morbid, much.”
I giggle. “Just a realist. You don’t know how much time you have left.”
He laughs and regales me with more tales, and I listen, picking at my lunch and trying to get on board with taking my own advice. Lifeistoo short. If Archer, Owen, and Finn are playing with me, and I’ve already decided to play back, then I should up the ante. I should make it impossible for them to resist me. I need to be sexier and more aloof. Less needy and wounded. Overt, not shy. Take the initiative. Grab Archer instead of waiting for him to touch me. Strip off naked for Finn and let him look at me. I mean, I’m no supermodel, but I’m not ashamed of my curves. And Owen. Next time he comes over, I will ride him like a cowgirl, drunk or not, and see what he thinks about that.
I smile, loving this wild side of me. In theory, it’s great; in practice, well, we’ll see. It’s a nice idea, but I’ll probably bebasic Baileythe second I lay eyes on one of them and turn to mush if they happen to all be together.
When our half an hour is up, Joel and I make our way back to the elevator to go up a few floors. “See you tomorrow, lunch buddy!” he calls, striding off to the admin pool section of the floor.
“For sure!” I shout back and then turn the opposite way to head back to my desk.
Archer’s door is closed when I return, which signifies his return. It was open when I left for lunch. I don’t bother him. He has a meeting in an hour, and it appears I have a fresh stack of folders to be getting on with. At least I’m being kept busy. Plus, it also works in my favor for being aloof and not needy by going to find him the second I know he’s here.
His words to me in the car are things I’m trying not to let affect me, butprecious girl…Fuck me. If he calls me that again, I won’t be responsible for my actions. Maybe that’s what he’s hoping.
I laugh softly. I highly doubt it. He doesn’t need to wait for me to come on to him. He’s already got me right where he wants me.
* * *
When the end of the day rolls around, quicker than I expected, I still haven’t seen Archer or Owen again. Archer’s meeting companion came and went, but no sign of the brothers or Finn, for that matter.
Pressing my lips together and gathering the courage that I talked myself into at lunch, I collect my things and rise, putting my jacket on and slinging my bag over my shoulder.
I knock with almost too much force on Archer’s door and open it without him saying anything.
He looks up from his work; his face closed off until he sees me. His eyes go darker, and he sits back with a smile.
I don’t let him speak first. “I’m heading out. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
There, the ball is now in his court.
Front foot, Bailey.
“Give me five minutes, and I’ll take you.”
I blink.
Of all the things I thought he would say, that wasn’t one of them.
“No, that’s okay; I’m good.”
“Five minutes.” This time his tone is sterner as if he is trying to leave me no choice.
“Honestly, you don’t have to go out of your way.”
He lets out a deep sigh and strides toward me. His hand reaches out, grabs my arm, and pulls me into the office. The door slams shut with a loud thud, leaving us alone. He pushes me up against the door, his hard grip on my arms. Every muscle in my body tenses as he leans in closer, his warm breath caressing my skin.
