Page 19 of The Other Side
“Violet,” he tried to reason with me.
“I hope you’ve enjoyed yourself, making a fool of me. I don’t need your help, so go back to the party,” I snarled as I stomped up the front stairs of the carriage house.
“That wasn’t my intention, I swear,” Chance argued, dodging the door as I swung it wide, missing his pretty face by less than an inch.
Drat.
I’d never made such quick work of the three flights of stairs up to my room than I did that night. I couldn’t be out of Chance’s company soon enough. I didn’t understand why he wouldn’t release me to lick my wounds and wallow in self-pity.
“Violet, please let me explain.” He was close—too close. I could feel his body behind me as I struggled to unlatch the door lock, which had decided that was the perfect time to stick.
“What!?” I wheeled around, leaving my keys dangling in the lock. “What do you want from me?”
“Last night—I know I didn’t dream that kiss. You don’t have to pretend you’re not interested.”
“You rescued me from sexual assault! I thought you were a good guy.” I threw my hands in the air. “Or was that some kind of elaborate setup to get me into bed, but then you decided long-term torture would be more fun?”
“Set up? Torture?” he sputtered. “What are you talking about?”
“Just because you’re rich doesn’t mean you can go around humiliating women for sport,” I hissed.
“Humiliating?” He shook his head, trying to keep up.
“Please,” I pleaded. “Just go back to the mixer so they don’t think I’m sleeping with you.”
His eyes widened in response. “Is that what they’ll think?”
“You obviously don’t need this job,” I accused him. “ButIdo.” I pointed my index finger into my chest repeatedly to drive the point home. “If they think there is anything going on between us,I’mthe one who will get fired.”
“Why would they fire you?” Chance questioned.
“It’s part of the code of conduct. There’s a strict non-fraternization policy.” I huffed.
Chance’s shoulders fell. “I didn’t know.”
“Well now you do.”
“Violet—”
“Why did you lie to me?” I couldn’t contain the hurt in my voice. But I had to know.
Chance shook his head again. “I was going to tell you—I planned to, but I just wanted to get to know you first.”
“That’s a bullshit answer,” I called him out. “You knew exactly what you were doing. Admit it.”
“You were being so open, and I thought if you knew, you wouldn’t have been as honest with me. But I really just wanted to talk to a cute, smart girl I met in a bar. Would you have been so candid if I’d told you I was teaching here?” he argued.
My resolve faltered momentarily at what felt like a genuine compliment and a truthful response. But it didn’t change the fact that he had lied to me. Lying was the one thing I couldn’t get past.
“Can I come in—just to talk?” he asked softly, but not suggestively.
“NO!” I turned again, tugging at the lock, silently begging for it to open.
My breath hitched as he caged me in from behind, the warmth of his front flush with my back. I tried to ignore the bulge I felt against my backside and his soft breath against my neck. I couldn’t help but press back into Chance, relishing our closeness, despite my anger.
Chance’s right hand slid down my arm until he had a hold on the key, and his left arm snaked around my waist, coming to rest on the door handle.
My heart might have skipped a beat at our close proximity, my breath coming out in soft pants, my core clenching, being so close to him again. The physiological reactions he elicited from me were becoming a huge problem.
