Page 238 of Now and Forever

Chapter 83

W

hen Monday rolled around, I had to call work and speak to Denise, explaining my situation in school and apologize for not making it to work. The school had invited a guest speaker that I couldn’t miss. Not to mention, upon attendance, I would also be earning an extra credit for my Economics class, so it was really imperative I went. Though I had to admit, it was a rather convenient excuse to avoid work, too, since I hadn’t made a decision yet, and once I encountered Cruz, he would inevitably press on that subject, so it was best to be prepared for when that time came.

Throughout the afternoon, I kept checking my phone, half-hoping Cruz would eventually call, perhaps just to see if I was fine and see where I was, but that call never happened.

That night, I got home with a sinking feeling that maybe my irrational response to his invitation was a mistake on my part. Like I had said before, I was in limbo. This very line of thought proved just how frustrating the tug of war of emotions was driving me crazy.

Knowing how my mind was already not making any sense, I went to bed, convincing myself I could very well ponder this the next day. Trying to solve my heart’s dilemmas wouldn’t do me any good when I was exhausted. Tomorrow, after all, was another day, another chance.

The next day at work, I found myself high on nerves as I prepared the refreshments I normally wheeled into his office. I knew it had only been a day since he had left me in the sunroom, so I wasn’t sure how he would likely greet me: with a cold aloofness or with a warm smile. Somehow, I found myself hoping it was the latter.

Before taking the snacks to him, I made a quick stop at my desk to pull out a mirror from my purse just to make sure my hair was in place and my teeth were sparkling white. Satisfied with my appearance and armed with a smile and enthusiasm, I made my way towards his office. I took a shaky breath as I stopped right outside his door before finally deciding to knock a few times and let myself in.

Cruz looked up to watch me come through, and our eyes met.

Nervously, I caught my breath as I softly nodded in his direction. “Hello, Mr. Elliot.”

“Serena,” he immediately threw back, waiting for me to do or say something.

Since I wasn’t sure how to approach him, I resorted to doing what I was there for—serving him his nibbles. Once everything was set, I quietly spun to face him and was startled to find him with his eyes trained on me, as if he was still waiting for something.

Fidgeting with my fingers, I cleared my throat. “About yesterday—”

“I was already told,” he fluidly provided, unblinking as he watched me like a man would admire something from afar. His face was stern with no smiles, but his eyes … his beautifully expressive eyes were aglow with warmth and something else. “Care to share some tea with me? Coffee perhaps?”

Um … yes? Should I say yes? Maybe I should. I couldn’t stop thinking about him, but people would talk if I did. Office gossip would ruin this entire internship for me.

“No, thank you. I really should get back to work.” I was a coward, and I wasn’t proud of it.

Cruz threw me a challenging look. “Come here,” he commanded smoothly.

“Why?” I questioned timidly.

“Because I want to look at you.”

“You can see me fine from here.” It was one of those mind games he liked to play, but I wasn’t going to let him have his way.

My rebuff wasn’t taken lightly. In fact, he seemed about to lose his cool composure. Even still, I remained where I was, not willing to go to him just because he had barked out an order.

“If you keep fighting me off, I might be tempted to spread you on my desk and fuck you until you’re out of excuses to keep me at bay. It’s purely up to you.”

His straight-faced expression made me think of imminent danger, even though I knew Cruz would never hurt a hair on my head. He still had that kind of pull, that kind of power to make me feel debased and defenseless.

“Fine,” I said, conceding to his demand. It was silly, yet this wasn’t about the simplicity of his request, or command, rather. This was about control and who had the upper hand in this non-relationship.

My heart pitter-pattered inside my ribcage as I took the steps towards him, closing the gap between us. The second we were within arm’s reach, I could instantaneously feel the magnetic charge between our bodies. It was disconcerting and mind-blowing, and for the life of me, no matter how I tried to squash and kill how my body responded to him, I was unsuccessful. My nipples hurt as if they knew he was close and they sorely missed his touch. If I had any sense left, I would leave his office S.T.A.T. I could smell disaster waiting to happen.

“Are you done checking me out?” I snapped at him since he was taking his sweet time looking at me and thinking God knew what.

“Not in the slightest.”

Seriously? I needed to get out of there.

Just as I was thinking of him, I saw him from the corner of my eye pulling something out of his pocket before handing it to me. It was a black credit card with my name on it.

Well. What. The. Flying. Fuckery?

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