“What are you doing, Zach?” she asks, not looking at me.
I step closer, leaning casually against the wall next to her. “Making sure you’re not running away from me.”
She lets out a soft laugh, surprising both of us. “Not everything is about you, you know.”
“Sure feels like it is when you look at me like that.”
Her head snaps toward me, those sharp blue eyes narrowing. “Like what?”
“Like you want to strangle me and kiss me all at once.” My voice dips low, daring her.
She rolls her eyes, but there’s a flicker of something in her expression—a crack in the armor. “You’re impossible.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” I shift slightly closer, close enough to see the way her pulse flutters at the base of her throat.
“It is a bad thing.” Her voice softens, her arms crossing as if trying to shield herself. “We’re supposed to be working together, not…” she trails off, her gaze flicking briefly to my mouth.
“Not what?” I step into her space, my tone quieter, more deliberate. “Not doing this?”
The words hang between us, heavy and charged, and before she can overthink it—or talk herself out of it—I close the distance. Her lips part in surprise, and for a heartbeat, I think she’s going to push me away. But then she’s kissing me back.
It’s not a polite, hesitant kiss. It’s fire and frustration and everything we’ve been holding back all crashing together at once. Her fingers curl into my dress shirt, pulling me closer as if letting go of this moment is not an option.
When we finally break apart, both of us breathing hard, she stares at me, her expression a mix of shock and something I can’t quite name.
“That…” She swallows, her voice shaky. “That doesn’t change anything.”
“Never said it did.” My voice is softer now, though the grin tugging at my lips doesn’t let up. “But maybe it doesn’t have to mean anything either.”
Her jaw tightens, and for a moment, I think she’s going to bolt. Instead, she exhales slowly, the tension in her shoulders easing. “Fine. But this…” She gestures between us. “This is a one-time thing. That’s it.”
“Sure,” I say, even though I know I’ll push my luck if she lets me. “One time.”
I tighten my grip on her hand, guiding her down the hallway. She follows, her steps quick and purposeful, until she finally glances at me, her brow furrowed. “Where are you taking me?”
I glance at her, letting my smirk deepen just enough to be teasing. “I have a room here.”
Her eyes narrow slightly. “A room, huh?”
I lean in, my voice dropping lower. “What can I say? I like to be prepared.”
Her lips press together like she’s fighting a smile. “How very… thoughtful of you.”
We enter the elevator, and I press the button for my floor. The doors close, sealing us in, and I’m on her again—my hands threading through her hair, my mouth hot against hers.
By the time we stumble into the room, she’s tugging off my jacket, her eyes daring me to make a comment. And because I can’t resist, I pull back just a fraction, smirking down at her.
“You keep telling me you can’t stand me, but here you are,” I murmur, holding her gaze, “and you can’t keep your hands off me.”
“Shut up and kiss me, Zach.” Her tone is sharp, but her hands are anything but.
“Yes, ma’am.” I dip my head, capturing her mouth again, letting all the pent-up tension between us ignite. Her fingers dig into my shoulders, pulling me closer like she’s finally letting go—and so am I.
I back her up until her shoulders hit the wall, my hands sliding down her waist as I press against her. She lets out a breathy gasp that shoots satisfaction through me. For once, she’s not in control, and neither am I. We’re just two people who’ve been fighting this pull for way too long, and nothing is stopping us now.
“Still think this is a bad idea?” I murmur against her neck, letting my lips graze the sensitive skin there.
She bites her lip, that familiar spark of defiance in her eyes. “It’s a terrible idea,” she whispers. “But right now… I don’t care.”
