Page 48 of Nothing to Win

“I haven’t spoken to them.”She ventured deeper into the room.“I should.I should talk to them but…”

“Your life isn’t dictated by them anymore.”

How long would that last after their weeks were over?Three weeks in and she was already afraid of going back to what awaited her.

“I didn’t expect they’d let go this easily,” she said.“I must admit I don’t… I don’t think about them.About what they’d think or say… I make decisions without considering them.”

“You shouldn’t have to consider them.”

This wasn’t why she’d come to see him.The why was hazy, but it wasn’t for this.Dipping to put her shoes on the floor, she rounded his desk and bowed to touch her lips to his.

This wasn’t why she’d come into the room either.Who was she kidding?This was always her purpose.She was always this.Primed.Ready.Eager.Whether he was nearby or across town, it was always him in her head.His mouth, the conviction in his kiss, in his tongue never hesitating to mate with hers.Her skin, her hands, her head, every part of her was dizzied by the experience of him and it never let up.

Maintaining the kiss, she sank to her knees, pushing her hands up his thighs to the belt barring her entry from—

“No,” he said, breaking the kiss, pushing her hands back to his knees.“Not tonight.”

“You don’t want me?”she asked, less insulted than she was mortified.She’d blown him a few times, and the whole time… “Am I doing it wrong?”

“No—”

“This is my quo.”

“There’s no quid.”

“I don’t mind being one behind.”

Though, honestly, who the hell was counting?Him, it seemed.

“Without quid,” he said, “there is no quo.”

“That’s unfair, that means quo can never go first, never initiate the quid.”

“It cannot.”

“I don’t understand.”

His exhale was one of wisdom.“Gianna, a man like me and a woman like you, it doesn’t work this way.”

“What doesn’t?”

“It’s your role to do as you’re told.”

“And you’re telling me to leave you alone?”she appealed, sure he wasn’t repulsed.“Or is it this…?”

She loosened her dress zipper.He didn’t stop her.In fact, his eyes darkened just a little as she took it lower and low—his hand stalled hers.

“We’ve blurred the lines,” he said, further embarrassing her by dragging the zipper back up.“You’re confusing this.”

“Brogan—”

“The way you say my name,” he said.“You’re a woman here against her will.”

“I am not.”That slap of offense tightened her.“That’s not what this is.How could you think that?”

“We have a deal.”

“You’re upholding your end,” she said.“People are still looking for Jarrod.Shanna is optimistic, she has Roxie and I keeping her in the best mood we can.”