Page 405 of Power Play

“Shut up.”

“I love you.”

“Charm.”

“I love you, and I hate you for making me feel ashamed of it.”

“You should hate me.”

“I do.”

“Not enough.”

“Then make me hate you more.”

My mouth crashed into hers, and Charm met me with every ounce of anger she had left. There was no hesitation and nothing gentle enough to confuse with forgiveness. Her hands fisted in my shirt and dragged me against her while my arm closed around her waist. She bit my lower lip when I took control of the kiss. Sharp pain sent heat through my body, and I pulled her head back by the hair beneath her stocking cap.

She stared into my eyes, breathing against my mouth. “I hate you.”

“Good.”

“You’re a cruel fucking coward.”

“And you’re still here.”

“So are you.”

She kissed me again, and we collided with the counter hard enough to rattle every bottle behind her. I caught the backs of her thighs and lifted her onto it. Her legs closed around my waist before I finished moving between them, pulling me against the heat beneath my jersey.

My body remembered hers with a loyalty that made me furious.

I tore the stocking cap from her head and threw it across the kitchen. Her hair fell around her shoulders while she shoved my suit jacket down my arms. It caught at my elbows, and she yanked harder until I wrenched free and sent it to the floor.

“This suit is fucking ridiculous,” she said against my mouth.

“You said you liked it.”

“I liked thinking about taking it off you.”

“Thought you came here for food.”

“I did.”

“Liar.”

“You came back because you wanted to be alone.”

“I did.”

“Liar.”

I gripped her jaw. “Careful.”

“Why? You’ll leave me?”

Rage flashed through me, and she smiled through the tears still wet on her face because she knew exactly where she’d hit. I kissed her hard enough to wipe the smile away.

Her coat opened beneath my hands, exposing the Frost jersey covering her body. Seeing my number on her after searching the arena for it destroyed what remained of my restraint. I dragged my mouth down her throat while she tore at my tie, jerking the knot loose and throwing it beside my jacket.