Page 14 of Let's Call a Truce
I whimpered, even as the urge to argue reared its head. “You don’t get to tell me how I feel.”
“Fine, I’ll take you at your word. You may hate me, but you still want me.”
He was right, obviously. He’d seen it. The way my breath would hitch in the elevator when he had to lean close to press the button. How my gaze would follow him down the hallway after an argument. But it wasn’t my fault that he was both gorgeous and an asshole. Unfortunately for the world, the two things weren’t mutually exclusive.
I couldn’t remember the last time I was this desperate. Hishands on my body and his low voice in my ear. He trailed his lips down my neck as he waited for my answer. Not quite a kiss, but enough to steal my breath. We spent two years fighting each other and this attraction. God, after all this buildup, the sex would be mind-blowing.
But I’d also have to walk into the office Monday morning and see that smirk. No orgasm was worth that.
With the very dregs of my self-control, I said, “Not enough.”
He laughed, and the rumble of it shot through every inch of my body.
“We’ll see.”
I felt the loss of his body heat the moment he pulled back. I spun to face him, unable to resist the urge to pull him back to me, only to see him heading to the bar without a backward glance.
Tomorrow, when the booze wore off and the sun illuminated all the choices I made in the dark, I’d feel some serious regret. I just wasn’t sure if I’d regret how far I let it go, or that I let him walk away.
Juliana:Do you think someone will call Child Protective Services if I lock my kids in their room?
Dani:Hahahahaha. What did my little heathens do now?
Juliana:They spoke, and you assholes got me drunk last night and now my head’s gonna explode. I hate you both and I miss my twenties
Dani:Friend, you got yourself drunk last night
Asia:We got you drunk? Pretty sure you were pounding shots at the bar with a certain 6'4" hottie while we were on the dance floor
Juliana:I plead the fifth. I’m never hanging out with either of you ever again
Asia:We’ll bring pizza tonight so you can lie on the couch for the rest of the day
Juliana:I love you
Dani:You’re a fickle bitch.
“Stop working. We’re going to lunch.” Asia marched straight into my office, intent on dragging me away from my computer. It was Tuesday, and my hangover had finally faded, though my newfound relationship with the toilet would haunt me forever.
I glanced up as I waved her off. “Can’t. No time, no money.”
My restaurant budget was depressingly small. KMG didn’t pay very well, but the flexibility they gave me for the kids was worth the lower pay. Even the promotion to director didn’t bring our family’s income close to what it had been when Jason was working as a computer programmer. Since I didn’t want to sacrifice the flexibility for more pay, every spare cent went toward my kids’ needs.
“It’s my treat. I’ll even let you choose where we go.”
“That’s the no money problem fixed. How about no time? I’m swamped. Unless you have a TARDIS parked outside, I’m stuck working through lunch.”
I chuckled at my own joke, but my laughter cut off when Ben walked up behind her. “You ready to go?”
I glared at my best friend, then tucked my chin, focusing on my desk and hopefully distracting from the flush creeping over my neck.
She lifted her hands. “Okay, okay. Can you blame me? You two were so friendly at my birthday party, and I thought I could keep that momentum up and get my two best friends to stop hating each other.”
“Like I said, I don’t have time. I brought my lunch, too, so I’m going to scarf it down in the break room. It won’t be asgood as what you might buy me, but at least I’ll keep it down.” I smirked at her, steadily keeping my eyes away from Ben.
I waved as I pushed past Asia. Ben and I had crossed paths in the office over the past couple of days, but I always found something to occupy me, so he didn’t try to talk. Every time I saw him, my insides churned with a mix of desire, frustration, and guilt that left me sick. He knew I wanted him and couldn’t keep it together for one goddamn night out with him. That knowledge would lead to an inevitable power shift I was desperate to avoid.
My food heated up in the break-room microwave while I googled how long chicken stays good in the refrigerator and tried to remember whether these leftovers were from Friday or Thursday. I sensed him behind me before he spoke.
