Sean
I SWEAR TO God if she licks her lips one more time I’ll lose my mind. I’ve noticed it’s something she does whenever I make her uncomfortable or nervous. She squirms in her seat the longer my eyes focus on her. If I had to make a bet, I’d wager my whole month’s salary she was squeezing her legs together right now.
Her throat works down a swallow and I can’t pull my attention away from the delicate skin her swept back hair allows me to see. I wish I could say I feel bad for putting her on the spot, but I don’t. Maybe that makes me a bastard; I don’t care. This girl has given me the runaround for way too damn long.
When I found out I was interviewing her today, a sick sense of pleasure consumed me. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face, and she didn’t disappoint. If she’d seen a ghost, she’d look less stunned. It took all of my willpower not to flash a shit-eating grin. She was avoiding me, but there was no escaping and nowhere to hide. Paige wanted to ignore me? Fine. Two can play this game.
“Are you sure?” I ask. “Because it seems as though you do want to discuss it. In fact, I’ll bet it’s the only thing you’ve been thinking about since you walked through that door.”
It’s been a little over two weeks now since I’ve seen or talked to her. Two weeks since she finally caved and I had her pinned against the door and feasted on her while she was perched on top of the sink. Two weeks since she ran off without a backwards glance moments after she was biting my shoulder to muffle her screams. Sixteen days later, and I can still hear, feel, and taste her as if it’s been mere seconds.
She scoffs and rolls her eyes in disgust. “You’re so full of yourself.”
“It wasn’t long ago you were full of me too.”
Her mouth falls open and I am able to render her speechless. I’d say that’s an accomplishment if nothing else is.
“Now, unless you’re up for round two . . .” My eyes trail down her body as much as they can with the desk between us. “I suggest we get back to the interview.”
She swallows hard before nodding, still not able to find her voice.
“Perfect.” Despite wanting to throw her on my desk and make damn sure it’s impossible for her to ignore what this is between us, I slide back into my role as a professional and carry on with the interview. She fumbles through the questions, nothing close to the confident, feisty woman I know. If she were anyone else I would’ve thrown her résumé out the second she left the office, but I’m sure she’s thrown off with my presence. Plus, I know she’s smart, hardworking, and more than qualified for this position. The only reason she’s off her game is because I’m the person sitting in front of her.
“I’ll forward your information to Mr. Sanchez. He has the final say since you’ll be working directly under him,” I tell her once we’re finished. If I wasn’t watching, I would’ve missed the way her shoulders sagged with relief at the mention of not working for me.
Trust me, princess, I’ll have you under me again, but it’ll be in my bed, not in the company hierarchy.
I clear my throat to rid my mind of that passing thought. “If he has any further questions, he’ll be in touch.”
“It was a pleasure, Mr. Riley.” She stands and holds out her hand. The twitch of her lips lets me know she’s being sarcastic with the formality, and I’m not mad about her usual feistiness making an appearance.
Following suit, I reciprocate her offered hand, holding it longer than necessary. “If I remember correctly, I’d say the pleasure was mutual.” I give her a wink before saying, “I’ll see you around, Ms. Stewart.”
Like a gaping fish, her mouth opens and closes before she thinks better of replying and leaves the room in a hurry. As soon as the door clicks shut, I plop back down into my chair.
Damn, that girl gets under my skin unlike any other. I’ve never in my life been hung up on a woman the way I am with Paige, and I can’t even explain why. She’s just . . . different.
It’s in the way she challenges me at every turn, the way she beams from the inside out with the smallest of compliments, the way her sharp wit keeps me on my toes. I’m attracted to her. A lot. And for whatever reason, she’s hesitant to jump into this with me. Trust me, it’s not from a lack of trying either.
From the very first arch of her eyebrow, I knew I was in trouble. My smooth lines and confident smile usually works on women, but not Paige. I struck out two years ago in a bar in Myrtle Beach. As I tried to break the ice, I was met with nothing but disgust and repulsion. She’s not the type to fall for bullshit lines. You have to work for her. When Marcus and I went back to our room, she was all I could think about. Her gorgeous hazel eyes and long blond hair haunted me, her smirk teased me, and the lingering smell of her perfume was a constant reminder of the one girl to ever challenge me.
I never thought I’d see her again. I wasn’t sure where she was from, and we had driven in from Apex, North Carolina. You couldn’t imagine my surprise when my brother pulled over a car for speeding, and Lydia was the driver. It was as if the fucking stars had aligned, and I knew then this thing between Paige and me wasn’t over. I renewed my efforts despite the constant resistance with enough sexual tension to leave me in a perpetual state of blue balls. Don’t get me wrong, she’s worth every bit of effort, but a guy can only take so much rejection, right?
I’ve tried dating here and there when frustration set in. If she didn’t want me, then I’d find someone who did. The problem was I kept comparing the other women to Paige. No one ever lived up to my standards and I kind of hate her for setting the bar so damn high. And that was all before I’d had a taste of her. Now that I know how she feels beneath me, there’s no going back.
I’m gonna make her mine—I just have to figure out how.
Fifty hours.
That’s how long it’s been since I’ve seen her.
God, I sound like a pussy.
Fuck it; I don’t even care. If I thought about her a lot in the two years I’ve known her, it pales in comparison to how often she circles through my mind since Nate and Charlotte’s baby shower over two weeks ago. No matter how hard I try, I can’t stop thinking about the look in her eyes as she finally caved into her desires. All the resistance faded away and in its place was pure need and carnality. We snuck off to the bathroom and let two years of sexual tension collide into the best fucking experience of my whole damn life. I thought I’d won and gotten through to her, but she disappeared and has been giving me the cold shoulder ever since. I want nothing more than to rid her like an infection and carry on with my life.
But I can’t.
She’s under my skin, constantly crawling through my body and I can’t shake it. Maybe I’m a glutton for punishment, but I don’t want to. Charlotte’s baby shower proved Paige isn’t as unaffected as she leads on. I found a crack in her façade once, and I’ll do it again.
I got a call from Sanchez this morning saying he wanted to offer the position to Paige. Despite my obvious bias, I wasn’t surprised. Judging by her résumé and numbers as a financial advisor, I knew she’d be a good fit for the company. I wanted to be the one to give her the good news, but thought better of it. It’s a bad idea to blur the lines between professional and personal. And what I want to do to her is definitely personal.
Her hazel eyes hide the one thing I need to keep pursuing her.
Hope.
What started as curiosity and a challenge to make her submit to my desires quickly morphed into something else. Every time she tells me no, I want her that much more. And not just for her body either. I’ve had that and it’s still not enough. Maybe I’m a goddamn fool for chasing the same girl for so long, but I can’t stop. My father always told Marcus and me growing up that nothing worthwhile comes easy. I think that’s why the both of us are persistent and go after the ones who put up the most fight.
And that’s why I’m making my move today.
Paige’s wall was faltering during the interview. I caught her by surprise, and now I need to capitalize on it before she gets her defenses firmly up again.
Instead of being my usual cocky self, I’m going for a different approach. One that might throw her off balance again. With flowers in one hand and takeout in the other, I walk up toward her townhouse to surprise her. Her possible reaction has me a little on edge, but it’s too late to turn back now.
I glance down at the bouquet I’m holding as my foot hits the first step leading up to her porch and pause.
Flowers? Who the hell am I?
I back up to put them in my car as I shake my head, muttering about how lame I’m being. She’ll take one look at me and think I’ve officially lost my balls. I’m about to shut the door when I hesitate again.
Wait, girls love flowers, dumbass. What are you doing?
Reaching back into the car, I pull them out with more force than necessary and stare at them as my mind goes back and forth on if this is stupid or not. It’s official; the girl is making me lose my damn mind. My head leans against the hood of my car as I let out a groan. Never in my life have I second-guessed myself as much as I am in this moment, especially over something so trivial.
Fuck it. She’s getting the flowers.
Turning back around with renewed purpose, I stride up the steps leading to her front door like I wasn’t acting like a major vag and have my shit together.
An energy I can’t explain runs through my body after I knock on the door. The anticipation of seeing her sends a strange feeling throughout that I try to ignore. If I examine it too closely, I’ll freak myself out and bail. I hear the locks turn before it swings open. An amused grin is impossible to suppress when I take in her wide eyes and gaping mouth. She definitely wasn’t expecting me to be the one knocking.
Mission accomplished.
“What are you doing here?” she asks, her wide eyes narrowing as she glares at me.
I hold up the food and flowers in my hands and say, “I heard you got the job, so I thought we should celebrate. These are for you.” I extend my arm for her to take the flowers. She studies them suspiciously before accepting, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. “Are we going to eat on the porch or are you going to invite me in?”
Her focus comes back up to mine before rolling her eyes and standing to the side to let me in.
“I know manners are a foreign concept to you, but it’s normally considered rude to show up at someone’s place unannounced.” Her words hit my back as I take in my surroundings. Shock has given way to her usual feistiness I know and admire so much.
A sexual reply is on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow it, choosing to ignore her instead. Paige puts off this bad-ass, I don’t give a shit about anything attitude that is totally at odds with the furnishings of her home. I expected it to be more . . . cold. Between the warm colors, inviting lighting, and soft furnishings, it’s anything but. It’s welcoming, which is the complete opposite of the way she is with me.
Except for that one night.
Continuing on through the living room, I head toward the kitchen to set our food down.
“Make yourself at home,” she mutters loud enough for me to hear. I pause and look straight ahead at the wall facing me. My head tilts from side to side to stretch my neck and release some of the building tension with every snarky comment she makes. She’s looking for a reaction and she’s close to getting one.
“Plates?” I ask as I look over my shoulder.
An audible sigh rushes past her full lips. “They’re in the cabinet on your left.” Her tone is monotone and annoyed. Damn, you’d think the girl would show a little appreciation that I brought her food.
I dump a few spoonfuls of chicken lo mein, fried rice, and a couple pieces of crab Rangoon on our plates before walking over to the kitchen table nestled in the corner of the room. When she doesn’t join me, I look at her expectantly with my eyebrows raised. Her shoulders slump forward as she relents and has a seat.
“I got your favorites.”
She looks down at her plate before her attention comes back up to me. Her eyes squint in confusion as she studies me. “How’d you know what I like?”
I shrug, a little embarrassed. “I overheard you talking to Scarlett when we were all hanging out once.”
There it is. The slip. I’ve disarmed her. The tough exterior from moments ago has melted and before me is the soft, approachable woman I’ve had the privilege of seeing one other time. If only I could keep her here.
She clears her throat and looks down at her plate and I know the moment is gone.
“When’s your first day?”
“You found out where I live. I thought you’d be smart enough to figure that out too.”
My fork makes a loud clanking noise when I drop it on my plate. “Look, can you drop the attitude for thirty minutes and enjoy dinner with me? Shit.” I say the last part under my breath, my exasperation coming through loud and clear. A guy can only take so much bullshit before he snaps. Well, I’m at my snapping point.
She pulls her head back like I’ve slapped her. Surprise is clear in her wide eyes as she blinks a few times. I see her throat move as she swallows hard. “Sorry.” The tinge of embarrassment in her tone is enough for me to nod my acknowledgment and let it go.
“I start on Monday,” she offers up after a few moments, and that’s the start of an easy conversation. It only takes a few minutes to get her to laugh, and it’s music to my ears that sends a zap straight to my chest.
We’ve finished eating and I’m helping her clean up. There’s not much to do, so while she’s rinsing our plates, I make quick work of wiping off the table. Sneaking up behind her, I place my lips behind her ear and say in a low tone, “As much as your feistiness turns me on, I’m enjoying this new side of you.”
I watch her as a wildfire of goose bumps spreads over her neck. She doesn’t move, her hands suspended in midair with a dish attached. In one smooth motion, she turns to face me. There’s hesitation as she stares up into my eyes, but also something else. Something more primal and hungry.
Need.
The plate falls from her hands and shatters on the floor as her arms wrap around my neck. Her lips crash against mine in a way that has me going over the edge and throwing caution to the wind as I lose control.
A man’s restraint is only so strong.