Page 39 of Power

“And that is?”

“None of your business. Yes, that’s my final answer.”

His eyes grow dark. Thankfully, Kyle returns. “Here you go. Mr. Monroe, great event—”

“Go away.”

“Excuse—”

“I won’t repeat myself.”

“Um, okay. I’ll just be around. . .” Kyle rushes off.

Traitor.

I take a large sip of wine. “If you’ll excuse me.” I walk over to the bar and slide my glass toward the bartender. “Can I get a new glass? This doesn’t taste right.” It tastes just fine. The closeness of him and his gaze breaking me down do not.

The bartender hands me a fresh glass, and I turn back. Theo, again, invades my space. A burst of heat coils in my core. I hide the flushness of my cheeks with a large gulp. “Well, I’m going to go mingle—”

“Why are you in that dress?” he asks again, more heat in his voice. His eyes have dropped to my chest. My nipples are so hard, they’re about to poke holes through the thin material.

“And like I already said—”

“In my office. Now.”

“What?Now? It’s past work hours, and I have to—”

“Now, Miss Evans,” he snaps, then storms off through the crowd to the elevators.

Is he serious? I look around for back up, but everyone is enjoying themselves. You know what? Screw this. I’m in the middle of manifesting a new job and can feel it about to happen. I don’t need to deal with his mood swings. It’s time we had it out, and I do what I’ve wanted to do since I walked through those doors.

Quit.

I finish my wine in one impressive gulp and leave the glass on the bar. Stomping my heels, I walk to the elevator and stand next to him. Not a word is spoken the entire way down. When the doors open, he storms out, leaving me to follow him.

“Shut the door.” He walks over to his mini bar and pours a glass of bourbon. I twist around and slam it closed.

“Let’s get this over with. Like I said, I have somewhere to be.”

He faces me, the deep scowl on his face stealing my breath. If looks could kill. His brow furrows, and his jaw is tense. He’s angry. Conflicted? Smoldering hot. I regret not wearing a bra because it gives away how turned-on I am. I swallow down my inappropriate arousal and clear my throat.

He takes a slow step toward me. “Who are you wearing that dress for?”

“How many times are we going to do this? It’s none of your damn business.”

He walks closer, eliminating the remaining space between us, forcing me to raise my chin. I hold his searing gaze. He’s so powerful, taking up all the space in any room he’s in. I can’t help but inhale his signature cologne and bask in the scent. My eyes fall to his tightened jaw, then his glass, where his grip is tight enough to shatter the crystal. “I’m going to ask you one more time.Whothe fuckare you wearing this for? Is it who you were with last night?”

“Fuck you.”

“Don’t tempt me.”

My thighs squeeze together, and I hate it. His eyes fall to my lips, and the earth shifts. “You’re an ass.”

“Watch the way you speak to me.”

Oh! He has some nerve. “The wayItalk toyou? How about the other way around? You haven’t said a nice thing to me since I started here! You talk down to me like I’m a child. No wonder no one sticks around. You’re a miserable, arrogant asshole!”

His glass slams against the top of his desk, and I suck in a quick breath just before he captures the back of my neck, slamming his lips to mine. There’s no time for shock to settle in. I find myself pressed up against his chest as he demands access. He tastes like bourbon and sin. I’ve hated and lusted after him since my first day, and now, in his arms, kissing him, feels like a dream—or a nightmare.

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