Page 28 of I Accidentally Hired a Shadow Walker
“I just want to get to know you better.” Raymond’s shoulders dropped. “I swear it's like you refuse to just be yourself around me without that barrier you’ve put up. I keep getting these glimpses of you, the real you, and then you push away again.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I patted the side of my head. The tight bun I pulled my hair into was screaming for release. “Your shoulder still needs to heal. You should go rest.”
“My shoulder is fine, Jericha.” He rolled his neck, lifting his shoulder for me to see. Then, he did it. Raymond grabbed my wrist again, this time pulling me closer.
A gasp escaped me as he shifted our position and put himself between me in the door.So much for a quick escape.
“What are you doing?” I looked around him at the door.
“Nothing,” he said heavily, taking a pressing step toward me.
“This doesn’t feel like nothing.” For each step he took, I took one back until my ass hit the desk. “Raymond, stop.”
The corner of his lips twitched upward. “Stop what?”
“Really?” I narrowed my gaze.
“You want me to go?” He was right up against me. “Is that what you want, Jericha?”
“Why are you doing this?” I was damn near panting from the feeling of having him so close to me. What happened to playing it cool?
“Answer the question. Stop running from me.”
I said nothing, defiantly crossing my arms over my chest in protest of what he was doing, stopping him from getting any closer. Hell, if he did, he might be able to hear my heart racing.
“You’re so bold until it’s just us, alone, when you can’t hide from me.” He took a deep breath, eyes locked on mine. “Fine, I’ll go.”
He abruptly turned, the scent of his cologne lingering in the air as he moved away. The idea of him leaving felt like a physical blow—a sudden, sharp pain pierced my heart at the thought of never seeing him again.So, I turned the tables on him. With a firm grip, I grabbed his arm, yanking him back to my side. Overzealous, I pulled him too hard. He spun around and I lunged forward, landing awkwardly in his embrace, my breath catching in my throat. We paused, eyes locked, and a million unspoken words hung in the air before I kissed him.
“You just wanted to be in control, huh?” Raymond smiled against my lips.
“Shut up.” I pushed him away. “That was an accident.”
“You accidentally grabbed me and kissed me?” He chuckled. “Never seen such a passionate accident before.”
“The only thing I meant to do was stop you from leaving.” I straightened. “I stumbled, that’s all. The kiss wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“And now that you’ve kissed me? Accidentally, of course.” He stepped closer to me. “What happens now?”
“Itwasan accident.” I avoided his question. “Accidents happen all the time!”
“Oh, I'm sure it was.” He took another sure step toward me, this time getting so close, he pressed me up against the edge of my desk.
“Why are you looking at me like that?” I gulped. “That wasn't an invitation for whatever you think you're about to do.”
“Who said I was going to do anything?” The smirk lifted the corner of his mouth. “I’m just standing here. You want me to go? Say the word. But considering you stopped me from leaving…”
“What is this?” I didn’t mean to say aloud. That was supposed to be an internal thought, but he smiled when he heard it.
“This was a budding friendship until you kissed me.” He slipped his hand around my waist. “Now, it's something more.”
I grabbed his arm, resisting his hold. “And what if I don't want it to be something more?”
“I have a feeling you do. You just want to be in control.” He stepped back, putting his hands out to his sides. “So, Jericha, I'll give you the control you want. You say the word, and I’ll leave, but hesitate, and I’m taking control.”
“I—”
“Three…” He took a step closer. “Two…” Another step brought him within arm’s reach. “One.” Raymond ended his countdown then reached out for me, pulling me into his arms. He paused, giving me just half a second to refuse him. When I didn’t, he leaned in to put his lips next to my ear and, in a voice so deep it felt like fingers in my pussy, said, “I thought so.”
