Page 21 of Van Cort
“If he’s a fucking jerk, it’s an obvious next step. Or you could try taking him down. How important is your job to you?”Why is hearing him swear hot?
“Well, I have been looking for another position. And change is always good, right? Progressive. Trouble is, as I said, I have bills.”
“Hmm. Pesky things, bills.” I nod and shrug my shoulders at the same time. “If you only had a wealthy partner.” My head whips around to glare at him.
“Don’t you dare. I would never…” I trip over my words, frustrated that he’d even try that angle on me. “I’m perfectlycapable of dealing with my own damn bills.” My voice grows, horrified. “And if you think-”
“Calm down. It was a joke.”
My finger points at him. “Really? Not funny. After the show you’ve made about keeping yourself closed off because of your money, and now… Don’t ever think—”
He holds his hands up in mock surrender, chuckling at my distress. “You’re really very pretty when you’re pissed.”
“And don’t do that either. I’m not a toy to be laughed at.” His laughter ebbs and finally slows. “It’s important to me that you know I wouldn’t use you for money, Everett.”
“Youuseme?”
“Well, that’s what you’re worried about, isn’t it? The no phone number rule? The emotional forcefield? Forcing me to tell you exactly what my expectation was the other night. And why is this all onyou? Are you suggesting a woman can’t use a man? I assure you, she can.” He stares, still not giving an inch, regardless of the words streaming from me. “Not that I am. But if I wanted to, I could.”
“Could you?” It’s more sarcasm than a question.
My arms fold. “Yes.”
“Go on then. Have at it.”
“What?”
“Use me. Here. Now.” He looks around. “We’re relatively alone, and you need to lose some of that sass.” My eyes widen. “Pent-up energy is something I know all too well. You could just fuck it out of yourself.”
“Not a chance.”
“Why not?” He licks his lips.
“And stop doing that, too.” I turn to look at the view again, refusing any idea of exhibitionism.
I must look like a picture of anger and shock. I’m not surprised either because his quick words wound me up, and Iwasn’t anywhere near ready for that type of offer from him. In fact, everything about this side of him has me off balance. The car, the clothes, hell, maybe just clean, fresh air gets him to relax and open his mouth and let whatever he really wants to say spill out.
The warmth of his body radiates from him as he leans in to whisper in my ear. “Are you going to sulk now because I won?”
My chin lifts. “You didn’t win. I’m just surprised. And you’re making fun of me.”
“A little, yes.” He takes my arm and threads it through his, walking us forward whether I like it or not. “I wasn’t joking about you being pretty when pissed, though. You are extremely beautiful.”
Hmm.
We walk a little longer, drinking our coffee and somehow chatting through casual conversation as if none of our previous words had happened. He unravels me, calms me, and even makes me laugh out loud at a few things. It even feels comfortable when we don’t speak at all. We amble, as if we’ve ambled for years without the need for words. It’s oddly comforting, considering the near argument earlier. He’s solid next to me, and I can’t help but let my mind run over a myriad of possibilities, all with happiness at the centre. I just wish I could believe any of it.
The drive home is full of easy, casual chatter, but it feels good. It’s like we’ve overcome some previous barrier between us, and Everett is definitely more addictive in this guise. Not that the sexy, broody businessman isn’t hot as hell, either.
He walks me back to the door. “Would you like to come in?” I offer.
He doesn’t say anything, just smiles at me, and for a split second, I worry that this will be a repeat.
Sex. Leaves. I’m left wondering.
But I open the door for him anyway, despite the risk.
We’re barely inside before he pulls my hand and stops me going any further. His eyes study mine, dropping to my lips as his finger tips my chin up to him. It’s like he’s taking every inch of me in, and I can feel the tension between us, the growing build of need. It’s in my laboured breath, the slightly light-headed feeling that’s fast overtaking me.
