“What?”
“Why are you touching me?”
“Why can’t I?” she shot back, chin lifting slightly.
“You know why.”
She tilted her head, dragging it out just to irritate me. “Hm. I don’t remember you telling me why. Can you remind me of the setting in which you told me this particular fact about yourself? I can’t recall.”
I closed my eyes for a second, breathing in through my nose, forcing myself not to react how I wanted to.
“Lavender.”
“Y-yes?”
“Go home. Now. And expect a write up tomorrow.”
“Yes sir.”
“Wait—you can’t write her up,” Rory cut in immediately, stepping between us slightly. “It was my idea and she was just doing as I say.”
“Even worse. She abused her position as my assistant to grant access to my house without permission. She’s lucky she’s only getting a write up.”
“It’s fine. Really,” Lavender reassured Rory.
“I said no to the write up.”
“I don’t care what you say, Aurora. My mind is made up. End of discussion.”
She held my gaze, unblinking, pushing right back at me.
“Lav,” she said, still staring at me, “me and Mr. Sinclair are having sex.”
What. The. Fuck.
“Multiple times at this point. So if he ever feels the need to threaten punishment, kindly remind him that my father will not approve of that fact.”
“AURORA.”
“Let’s call it job security,” she added, finally turning to Lavender. “I’ll see you tomorrow, okay?”
“I—um… I can’t— I’ll see you tomorrow. Bye. Goodnight, Mr. Sinclair.”
She rushed out, closing the door behind her. I stood there for a second, staring at the door. Then I looked back at Rory. She was smirking.
Wide. Proud even.
Like she had won or something.
And that made a smile pull at my mouth before I could stop it. Then it broke into a laugh.
Light at first before getting deep.
And as I laughed, I watched her expression change. The smirk faded and confusion replaced it.
“What’s so funny?” she asked.
“Hm.” I stepped toward her slowly. “Seeing that you so bravely self-sacrificed for Lavender… I’m assuming you’re ready to take her punishment on top of your own?”
