Page 11 of Sin

The asshole laughs harder. “Holy shit.”

I drag a hand down my beard and lean back in my chair, trying unsuccessfully to think about literally anything other than Laurel standing in front of me in that tight skirt and silk blouse. Or the way she snapped at me in the meeting.

With respect, we do not sell toothbrushes.

Christ. That should not have turned me on as much as it did.

“She mouthed off to you in front of the board and shareholders,” Wilder says. “And instead of getting pissed, you put yourself on her project.”

“She’s smart.”

“That’s not why.”

I say nothing. Because there’s no point denying it to my brothers. They know me too well.

Wilder studies me for a second before asking, “How bad is it?”

I exhale slowly through my nose. “Bad.”

He whistles low. “Fuck.”

Yeah. Fuck is right.

The attraction hit me the first day I met her. Most people either fear me or try too hard to impress me. Laurel did neither. She got irritated. Challenged me in meetings. Rolled her eyes at me once when she thought I didn’t see it. And every single time, it made me want her more.

There’s something dangerously addictive about a woman who doesn’t bend for you. Especially when you know exactly how good she’d look underneath you instead.

I close my eyes briefly. Big mistake. Now all I see is her flushed face in her office. Her lips parting when I leaned closer. The way her body reacted before her brain caught up. Fuck. My cock jumps painfully again.

“You’re married,” Wilder says finally, his tone more serious now.

Guilt hits instantly. Sharp and ugly.

“I know.”

“And Ms. Cross works for us.”

“I know that too.”

“Then what the fuck are you doing?”

That’s the question, isn’t it? Because I love my wife. I do. Jenna is a good woman. Loyal. Beautiful. Smarter than people realize. She’s stood beside me through every disaster my father created before he died. But somewhere along the way, things between us became… cold. Quiet. More friendship than marriage. I didn’t even realize how numb I’d gotten until Laurel Cross walked into my life three years ago and made me feel like a fucking animal every time she got near me.

Wilder watches me carefully. “Does Jenna know?”

“No.”

“Would she be surprised?”

If I’m honest? No. Jenna noticed Laurel the second she walked into that conference room today. I saw it in her face when she looked between us. She saw the tension immediately because it was practically choking the damn room.

“She pulled away,” I say quietly.

Wilder frowns. “What?”

“The second she saw my wedding ring, Ms. Cross pulled away.”

Understanding flashes across his face.