Page 40 of Torqued

“Ughhh, I-I wanted to strangle him, but I kinda wanted to kiss him too.” I hate my body and the way it reacts to him. The longer I lay here, the more I toss and turn. I can’t for the life of me understand why Rush would think I’d sell us out, or him for that matter.

Ping. Ping. Ping.

“You’ve got to be kidding.” I sit up, looking around for my phone. “Dang it, it’s still in my bag.”

I slide from the bed, tiptoeing over to the door. I dropped my bags the second I walked through the door. Unpacking is for the week or the following week. Whichever comes first.

Ping. Ping.

“Oh, Dear God! What is so important at two in the morning.” I dig through my purse until I find it and pull it free. Before I check the texts, I do a quick search for my charger. This thing has got to be close to dying.

Sure enough, it goes black before I can get it plugged in. I trudge back over to the bed, setting them both on the nightstand. I climb back into bed, leaning over with the cord.

“I forgot to turn off the light.” My eyes are so tired, I force myself to pry one open to find the light that keeps blinding me while I try to sleep. I lift my hand to rub them, only to smack myself in the face with something.

“Ughh! What in the world?” With both eyes open now, I can see what just about blinded me. “My charger?”

“Shit!” I sit up, scrambling from the bed, and run into the kitchen. The clock on the microwave says ten… but the sun is shining bright! “Why?”

I bolt for the bathroom with no time to shower. My teeth need to be brushed, and I use my favorite dry shampoo. It’s gingham slacks and an oversized black shirt for the win. A little makeup and a messy bun in ten minutes for the running late today look.

“Shoes, bag, and phone!” I run to the nightstand, grabbing my cell and charger. As I streak toward the door, I slide my shoes on, yanking my purse from the floor.

Twenty minutes after leaving my house, I stroll through the doors of my office building. I hate and love days like this. Yes, they’re hectic, and you run behind the entire day, but at least it doesn’t drag by.

Jeanne springs from her chair as I scamper through my office door, rolling my eyes. “I’ve been worried, I sent you a couple of messages.”

“I’m sorry, I crashed and didn’t get my phone charged.” I use my hip to open the next door and practically fall through it backward. My goal for today is survival and a glass of wine when I get home.

Life is funny. It throws things in your path randomly, just to see how you’re going to handle it. Though it’s much like most other days, today isn’t the right one to be tossing shit at me.

“Good morning.” The sound of his voice is like the tip of a finger, lightly feathering against your skin. Chilling and exhilarating as it skirts across your body and tingles in your lower belly.

I adjust myself and face him with a smile. “Good morning, Rush. What brings you to Raleigh?”

“As if you don’t know, Spencer.” He smiles boyishly, the one that will one day get me into a lot of trouble. Or at least, I’m hoping it will.

I drop my purse in the seat next to me and saunter closer to him. “You look comfortable.”

“I do like this.” He leans forward, running his hands over the top of my desk. I have to admit, I’m a little jealous of that damn desk right now. Rush has huge hands if you know what I mean.

“Well, don’t mind me, make yourself at home.” I place my hand on my side, crossing my legs as I stand across from him. His gaze trails my body, slowing at my breasts and hips.

It has almost no effect on him… until he sinks his teeth into his bottom lips. He shifts in his chair before locking eyes with me again. I’ve never felt so wanton in my life. Rush’s appreciation for me as a woman makes me feel stronger, not less.

Most of the time, men try their best to prove they’re superior, but not Rush. His best fault is wanting to take care of me. Not that I mind it. I just don’t need him to do it all of the time.

“I’d like it too.” He quirks a brow.

“What can I do for you, Rush?” Immediately, I regret my words. The heat coming off him today might get me into trouble if I keep up this line of flirtatiousness.

He stands, rounding the desk and comes to a stop inches from me. “Do you know how long I’ve wanted you to murmur those words to me?”

“You are such a tease.” I giggle as my face heats. “You need to be careful. You have a reputation to uphold.”

His features cloud with a frown. “Is that how you see me? A man-whore at best.”

“No… I mean, it does seem to be a general perception.” I wince when his gaze drops to the floor. My stomach knots as I realize I hurt his feelings.