Page 69 of By A Thread
“We’re at work right now,” he stubbornly pointed out, crossing his arms.
“Malina missed half a day this week,” I said. “Did you track her down to find out why?”
“Of course not.”
“Why not?”
“Because I don’t care about her,” he shot back.
We both sat with that pronouncement for a minute.
“Dom,” I started.
“Shut up. Forget it. I didn’t mean it that way.”
“Oh, good. Mr. Darcy’s back,” I said dryly.
“What does that even mean?”
“Ugh. Another reason why I’d never let you get me naked. You haven’t read or watchedPride and Prejudice.”
Dominic collapsed in a chair across the table from me. Even with the entire expanse of glass and a mound of muffins between us, I could stillfeelhis frustration.
“You annoy me on so many levels, it’s incredible. What couldPride and Prejudicepossibly have to do with us not pursuing whatever the hell this is?”
I sat opposite him. “Mr. Darcy pronounces his love for Elizabeth with an insulting speech about how he’s into her even though she’s incredibly unsuitable, poor, and ridiculous.”
“I am not pronouncing my love for you,” he said crisply.
“Did I not warn you that I’m irresistible?” I quipped.
He looked so angry I was worried he might rip the arms off his chair. I took pity on him.
“Look, Dom. Since we’re not pursuing anything—naked or otherwise—outside this building, I think it’s best that we know as little about each other as possible.”
He glared at me. “I disagree.”
Of course he did.
“Okay. Why?”
“We’re complete opposites. Wouldn’t it follow that the better we get to know each other, the less we would be attracted to each other?”
It was stupid and yet… “Hmm.”
“I thrive on challenges, Ally,” he warned. “And right now, you and this mysterious background are demanding to be solved.”
“What are you suggesting?” I asked with a laugh. “We become friends?”
“Not friends,” he insisted. “Workplace acquaintances.”
“That’s what we are.”
“No, we’re workplace associates,” he insisted.
“Are you drunk? Do you have a family history of stroke?”
“No and no,” he said. “Think about it. The more you get to know me, the less attractive you’ll find me, and the better I know you, the more repulsive you’ll be.”
