Page 105 of Prey Tell
I smile as he pulls his computer out of his bag.
We’re so much better as friends.
“Right, so the editor had some suggestions for the discussion portion. We also need to resubmit better-quality images before they can accept, and we’ll need to reformat the abstract…”
I glance at the clock on my computer. I have three hours before I’m supposed to meet Chase at my house.
“Do you have time now?” I ask. “Might as well get this all done so we can resubmit. It’ll be great to add to my CV if they accept it quickly. Maybe we can knock out the revisions today?”
“Yeah, that works for me.”
I nod. “Great. Let me pull up the final paper, and we can go through each section together.”
I hear his chair scrape against the floor as he comes around to my side of the desk. It feels nice—normal, even. He gives me a small smile that tells me he feels exactly the same way.
“Jules?” he says as I pull the document up.
“Yeah?” I turn to face him.
“I think you were right. About being in love. I think I was complacent. But I’m glad we realized that we’re better off as friends. I’m really grateful for you.”
I pull my lips to the side and bump his shoulder with mine. “You too.”
* * *
Dylan is leaning over my shoulder, chewing on a french fry from the basket he procured from the cafeteria an hour ago when a knock startles me out of my concentration. My head snaps up, and my heart drops when I see Chase leaning against the frame. His expression is completely closed off, but his eyes are shifting between Dylan and me. His jaw flexes once, and I see one of his fists curl at his side.
“Am I interrupting?” he says, and to an outsider, his tone might not set up any alarm bells. But to me, he’s using his Dominant voice. His blue eyes pierce into mine, and he holds my gaze for a second before looking away, expression stormy.
I glance at the clock on my computer and gasp, cupping my mouth. I was supposed to meet Chase at my house anhourago. “Oh, fuck. I’m so sorry, Chase. Dylan and I were working on our paper, and I must’ve lost track of time.”
Dylan stands, holding his hand out. “I’m Dylan.”
My eyes move between them—and Chase glares at me as he shakes Dylan’s hand. “Right. We actually met at the engagement party,” Chase says, his voice low and lethal. “Chase Ravage.”
“Oh shit, sorry. I forgot.” Dylan gives me a knowing smirk. “I was actually about to get going. I’ll see you next week, okay, Jules?”
Chase’s eyes narrow as he watches Dylan pack his things up. “Nice to see you, Declan.”
“It’s Dylan,” I say, crossing my arms.He knows that.
“Of course,” Chase says, watching as Dylan waves and walks out of the office. Chase snaps his eyes to me and closes the door a little too loudly.
I hold my hands up as he takes a step closer. “I’m sorry. We got a decision on our paper, and we needed to make revisions, and—”
“I’m only going to ask this once, and then I’ll never ask again. Are you and he able to work as friends after being lovers for so long?”
His voice is dripping with jealousy, and I swallow before answering. “Yes. We work better as friends. He told me so earlier today.”
Chase takes another step forward. “Second thing,” he murmurs, inches away from me now as he eyes my messy desk. “When I ask you to meet me somewhere, I expect you to be thereon time,” he growls, his eyes darkening. “Both as your Dominant and your—” He snaps his mouth closed, and I see him curling his fists again as he takes a steadying breath.
His reaction hits a nerve. “I said I was sorry.” My voice is steady, but it’s edged with annoyance. “I wasn’t standing you up. I got absorbed in my project and—”
“Right. WithDylan.” His voice is dripping with derision. “Your life might be so much easier if you and I could discuss methods and research rather than safe words and best ways to cover up bruises,” he adds, taking a step away.
I see the resignation written all over his face. “No. That’s not it at all. I don’twantto discuss those things with you. I like what we have. Dylan and I were great on paper. He’s nearly perfect in every other way—”
Chase huffs a cruel laugh. “Right. How could I forget?”
