His jacket is off and his sleeves are rolled up, informal in a way that feels intentional. The veins on his forearms bulge as he flexes his fingers.
A not-yet-healed scar mars his skin near his thumb. My curiosity piques. But the last thing I need is to ask private questions.
My foot lifts to create a distance, but I catch myself and don’t step back. I can deal with his presence. With his closeness. With his allure.
It doesn’t affect me.
Well… it doesn’t have to. I’m stronger than that.
He leans in the doorway. I straighten my spine.
You’ve been breathing all your life; just keep doing it, Roxy.
Jesus. I don’t even know what’s the larger threat. His presence, that for some reason shifts the air around me every time he’s in my vicinity.
Or his presence here, competing for what I’ve already earned.
In any case, his existence is a nuisance I didn’t ask for.
“My meeting with this team has been canceled. Do you know why?”
I look over my shoulder. Everyone is on their screens or chatting, oblivious to the tension at the door.
“Because it would be redundant. I’m briefing them now.” I rest my hands on my hips.
“Then I should sit in.” Liam walks in, brushing past me with ease.
While he reaches for a cookie, I imagine using my stiletto as a weapon.
He doesn’t sit down. He takes a bite. “Delicious,” he taunts.
A minuscule crumb sticks to his full bottom lip, and of course, my gaze lands on it. For a moment too long.
His tongue darts out, and he swipes it over the speck. In my mind, it all happens in slow motion. A heatwave licks my skin.
Unwarranted. Inconvenient. Rattling.
God, I hate him.
I don’t want the team to witness our animosity. Or the murder, so I smile at him sweetly. “I’m glad you’re enjoying the snacks. Now, go and…” I shrug. “…Try and turn on your new computer.”
He steps closer, completely ignoring the audience.My only hope is that everyone is still engrossed in whatever they were doing.
“Roxy, I think it would suit us well to work together.”
His proximity. His scent. His confidence. It’s all wrapped up in a dangerous and unfortunately enticing promise.
My mouth goes dry. My heart skips a beat. And oxygen… fucking oxygen left the building a while ago.
“That would defy the purpose of the competition, Liam.” I step sideways, and he mirrors it.
My back is now to the room, and his is to the hallway.Push him out, Roxy.
“You’re too smart to play Corm’s games.”
That throws me off completely. My spine stiffens.
We had two interactions. There is no way he knows praise would rile me up. He’s just saying it, anyway. And yet…
