Page 59 of Blood & Loyalties
Jag didn’t move from his spot, only lowered the flowers, his gorgeous face peeking out above. He still looked as handsome as he had when he’d left, everything in his face still strong and confident. His beautiful blue eyes sparkled as they locked with mine, lust igniting swiftly. My heart pattered in my chest, and my mouth opened just a bit as the physical sight of him slowly took my breath away.
Not answering his calls was one thing; seeing him in the flesh was the total opposite.
“Hi,dolcezza,” his rough, sexy voice called over the small distance separating us. His words slid over me like warm honey, covering me in a thick blanket.
“Hi,” I whispered, unable to say more.
He began walking forward and stopped in front of me, holding out the flowers. “I missed you, baby.”
I reached out, taking the flowers, and swallowed hard, earning a huge smile from Jag. There was no doubt he affected me. That was why it was easier over the phone. I didn’t have to see him, I just didn’t have to answer the phone and poof, done. This…this wasn’t going to have that ease.
“Thank you.” I broke eye contact and looked around. Every eye in the office was focused on Jag and me. Panic surged; we couldn’t be seen together. What if whoever was sending me the notes saw? Quickly, I turned to move into my office.
“Please come in.” I didn’t wait for him to follow, but the click of the door told me he had.
I turned around, seeing him lean against the door, his eyes sweeping my body up and down. I set the roses down on the desk, quickly looking away from his observation. He needed to leave. He couldn’t be here with me. The notes had said they would kill him. I couldn’t risk it, couldn’t risk being seen together. I had to do this for him to keep him safe.
While my mind raced and egged my body on to climb him like a mountain, it also raged with fear, both for him and my family. All these conflicting thoughts bombarded me at the same time.
I wanted to run to him, wrap my arms around him, and kiss him. Yet I couldn’t, not if I wanted to keep him alive. He couldn’t know about the pictures or my father. I needed to protect him from that pain.
I closed my eyes and breathed in deeply. What I had to do would hurt him and me.
“What are you doing here, Jag?” I asked as I faced him, placing my professional mask on because it was the only way I could get through what I had to do.
“I’m back,” he said simply.
“To talk to my father?” I knew it wasn’t what he was back for. Faking nonchalance wasn’t easy.
He moved farther into the room. “No, for you.”
“Why? I broke it off. I didn’t take your calls or texts. I thought it was perfectly clear that I didn’t want to see you anymore.” I tried desperately to hide the small quiver in my voice. I hoped he didn’t hear it.
“You did, and I want to know why.” He rested his hip on the edge of my desk while I stood on the other side, using the desk as a buffer between us.
The air around us was so charged one could light a whole damn city for a day with it. It was taking every bit of strength I had to keep myself on task.
“I was done.” I shrugged. “We had a few amazing days together; it doesn’t constitute anything more. You’re a great fuck, but you’re across the country. Can’t exactly fuck me while you’re there.” On the inside, I crumbled at my words. Those days were the best of my life, and I had craved every damn phone call after.
Lies. Every word out of my mouth was a lie.
He laughed, and I raised my brow at him in challenge.
“You expect me to believe that seriously poor excuse? That’s shit and we both know it. How about the truth?”
I stomped my foot like a second grader and instantly regretted it. Stupid.
“You need to leave. Don’t come back. You might as well go back to California.”If not, you’re in danger.
He moved around the desk, grabbing my shoulders and pulling me against his body. He leaned down, the smell of him penetrating my nose, and every inch of my body went on high alert, a deep throb low in my belly pounding. Air was becoming scarce.
When our eyes connected, the electricity that was in the room before became palpable, and I couldn’t focus. Everything became a blur except for Jag. I shivered as he spoke.
“If I go back to California, it’s with you by my side. I know damn well you care about me. I can feel it in your body. I can see it in your eyes.” His eyes blazed brighter with each word. “Tell me why you really want me to go.” His command fell on deaf ears.
Using every bit of strength I could muster, I pulled away and walked to the other side of my desk, again putting the desk between us and needing the distance. I took a deep breath and steeled my spine.
“I told you. I don’t feel it. Whatever you’ve conjured up in your head is a lie. You need to leave now.”
