Page 33 of Love Under the Microscope
I can be as big of an asshole as Nigel, but something about Zelda makes me not want to be one where she’s concerned. She’s smart and beautiful. Although I’m not interested in romance or even a one-night stand, I’m confused about her effect on me.
Might as well just get things out into the open, starting with what happened in the ballroom. I pick up my beer. “What was the kiss at the gala all about?”
She frowns. “Fake dating. That was part of your plan to make him jealous, if you don’t remember, so Nigel shows his hand. I don’t know why I need to explain it to you.”
That kiss definitely wasn’t part of my plan. And I still can’t decide if Nigel was acting jealous or just being a jerk. “You’re not being honest with me.”
She flinches. “What do you mean?”
“Tell me the truth, Zelda.” I lean closer to her. “We’ll be here all night if you keep beating around the bush. What the hell else is going on?”
“Like I said.” She takes a sip of beer. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
I roll my eyes. Something Zelda’s been doing all night. “I rely on my gut instinct when chasing a lead. Neither of us trusts each other. I get it. We have no history. No reason to trust. But that doesn’t matter. I need you to tell me what’s going on now or I walk.”
Her eyes go wide, and she sits ramrod straight.
Yep, that got her attention. But will I finally get the truth?
CHAPTER 7
JACK
Zelda hesitates. She opens her mouth but then quickly shuts it again. I have no idea what kind of game she’s playing. And yes, that pisses me off almost as much as kissing me did.
I raise an eyebrow. “I’m waiting.”
Something flashes in her eyes, a spark almost. She leans toward me, drawing closer to me—to my lips.
My heart pounds. She’s going to kiss me again.
The worst part? I want her to.
Her breath ghosts over my skin. I close my eyes and then…
She’s gone.
I open my eyes to see her straightening and nowhere near my face or even me.
“Let’s play pool,” she says as if an almost kiss hadn’t just happened or her knowing I wanted it. “There’s a table free.”
Before I can say anything, she stands and heads to the pool tables, her hips swaying and drawing male attention.
Fuck. What kind of game is she playing? I have no choice but to follow her. I’m pissed I wanted that kiss, but more importantly, I want to get the information out of her. That’s the most important thing, but I don’t like the idea of her being alone on the other side of the bar with a bunch of drunk guys who don’t know how to act gentlemanly.
She racks the balls. “I’ll break. Playing pool is like doing a geometry problem set.”
That’s a weird simile from a personal assistant, but Zelda seems to defy stereotypes. “Forget about breaking. You need to talk.”
She sighs. “You’re really no fun.”
“Hey,” a big muscular guy covered in tattoos growls. “We were using the table.”
“It’s yours.” I look at Zelda. “We’re not using it.”
She rolls her eyes and throws down the cue, flashing the big guy a cute smile. I return to our table, and when I sit, she plops down next to me.
“You want to know what I haven’t told you.”
