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“And why is that? What exactly is so puzzling about me? That I have a brain, and opinions?” I asked, trying to inject some of my previous feistiness back into my voice. “I’ve heard that isn’t something you normally go for.”
He leaned back in his chair and his smile faded away. “Why do you detest me so much?” He scoffed. “Have I offended you in some way?”
“You haven’t done anything to offend me—and you won’t, because I won’t let you. I know all about guys like you. And from what I’ve heard, I can tell you that we wouldn’t make a good match, so you’re wasting your time by trying to charm me. I’m not impressed. I don’t do rich, playboy types for a reason.”
“And this is based on what? Water cooler gossip? Excellent sources you have there, a bunch of bored secretaries and assistants inventing fiction about the people they wish they could be,” he fired back. “For the record, I was interested in you because you have a brain and opinions, not in spite of it.” With that said, he stood from the table and walked off. Several people nearby had probably overheard what he’d said and I could feel their eyes on me.
I excused myself from the table and hurried to the restroom, where I barricaded myself in one of the stalls and waited for my heart to stop racing. I felt stupid and childish hiding in the bathroom, but I didn’t know what else to do. Once I calmed down, I made a quick make-up check at the mirror and opened the bathroom door. Cooper was waiting for me as soon as I stepped into the dimly lit hallway. I instantly backed up against the wall, my fingertips skimming the smooth surface as if anchoring me in place.
“How did you know I would be here?”
“Women always go to the restroom when they’re upset,” he said in a deep, husky voice. It sounded rougher than before and I had the distinct impression he’d had a drink or two before coming after me.
“I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have made a scene like that,” I said. “I’m sure you’re a nice enough guy, I’m just not interested in anyone right now. It’s really not personal. Well, okay, it is a little personal.”
He cocked an eyebrow at me. “How so?”
“You humiliated me in front of my boss, my second day on the job,” I hurried to explain. “You flew in there, guns blazing, and when you tried to label me as some dumb coffee girl, I had to fight back. It’s not in my nature to just take that kind of thing.”
“Not anymore,” I added, after a beat.
“I’m sorry, Miss Rand. I’d had a rough day. A rough year, to be more accurate.” He paused and dragged a hand through his thick, brown hair. “But you’re right, that wasn’t your fault, and I shouldn’t have taken out my frustration on you.”
I wasn’t sure how to reply, so I shrugged.
“So can we call an official cease-fire?” he asked, taking a step closer to me.
“Listen,” I started, putting up a hand in between us. He was dangerously handsome in his suit, like all the James Bonds wrapped up into one delicious package. And I knew myself well enough to know that if I let myself get close enough to touch him, I wouldn’t stop. “Let’s just keep this professional. You do your job, let me do mine, and when everything is sorted out, you let me go back to what I’m supposed to be doing.”
He closed the remaining space between us in one stride and braced himself with one hand on the wall above my head as he leaned in close to me. “And what if I don’t want to?”
My breath caught in my chest as I struggled to keep from panting. “Don’t want to what Mr. Brighton?”
He lowered his head before he answered, until his lips were just brushing the edge of my ear. “What if I don’t want to let you go?”
The breath I had been holding, escaped in a sigh and before I could react, his lips were on mine in an aggressive, invasive, desperate kiss. I popped up in the tip-toes of my heels and let my body crash into his, my soft curves pressing against his firm body as the kiss deepened and became more frantic. His free hand worked up my back to the sliver of bare skin and underneath the thin fabric of the shrug. His fingertips were gentle on my skin, despite the roughness of his kiss. His lips left mine and began to trail back to my ear. I lay my head back against the wall, panting as he nibbled and sucked on my tender earlobe. A small moan escaped my lips and he responded by pressing me back against the wall and moving his lips lower on my neck. His hands started to pull at the shrug and the sensation of the soft fabric sliding down my shoulder was enough to jolt me back to consciousness. The panic of my secret being revealed was like a bucket of ice water over my head.
“Let me go,” I said, not recognizing my own voice as it echoed down the empty hallway.
Cooper instantly released me and backed away without a word, but when
his eyes found mine, they were wild with want.
I ran my hands along my dress and shrug, making sure everything looked right, and more importantly, that my tattoos were covered.
“I’m sorry, but I can’t do this.”
“Why not?”
I looked down the hallway for a second before bringing my eyes back to his. “I just can’t, please trust me.”
He looked ready to argue but then his face shifted again and he nodded. He didn’t even bother to straighten his jacket or tie. My mind flashed back to replay the way he’d felt against me and a wave of heat slid down my stomach. I wished I could turn off my paranoid brain and just fling back into his arms, give myself over to the pleasure and the feeling of being wanted. He was intoxicating. But I knew that it would never be enough.
“Let me walk you out,” he said, offering me his arm.
“No need. I’ve kept you from your guests long enough. Goodnight, Mr. Brighton.”
He opened his mouth to object but eventually just said, “Goodnight, Allison.”
