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“When it comes to Lana Judge, do you blame me?”
Good point.
Swallowing, I lowered my face as I shook my head. “No,” I admitted just as softly. “When it comes to Lana, I become suspicious too. Just… Don’t ever accuse me of being in league with her. If I could have my way, I’d never have anything to do with that witch ever again for the rest of my life.”
Nash—er, Ezra—lifted his eyebrows at my venomous tone before he gave a respectful nod. “Fair enough,” he answered. “I’d avoid her too, if I could. But none of this answers the biggest question I have. Which is…” Stepping closer, he lowered his voice and hissed, “Who the fuck are you?”
CHAPTER NINE
The menace behind his question rattled through me with doom, mostly because he no longer seemed so welcoming. Now he was distrustful and guarded. He wouldn’t soften toward me until I at least answered him with a name. But the only name I could give him would tear us further apart.
I suddenly felt as if I had deceived him in the courtyard, even though I’d had no idea who he was when we’d met out there.
He’d never believe I wasn’t one of Lana’s spies if he learned who I was. It was best if we just stopped things here and now while he was none the wiser.
“Can’t we just let tonight become some nice,
amusing memory and leave it at that?” I asked even as I took a step backward away from him.
Except he hissed, “No,” and prowled after me. “Tell me who you are.” When I shook my head, he grinned. “Maybe I need to kiss the truth from you then. Huh?”
My lips parted on a silent exhale. I knew I shouldn’t care, but the knowledge that he still wanted to kiss me was intoxicating. I remained stupidly rooted to the spot when he reached out and slid his fingers along my cheek. He leaned toward me; I found myself leaning back toward him.
I wanted to feel his mouth against mine more than anything.
Just one more kiss, I promised myself. Then I’d go. And he’d never hear from me again. I mean, until I approached him when I was ready to buy out his half of the company… Or if he saw me at a meeting, since I was going to be a paid employee and could finally attend them… Or if he ran into me in the hallway, now that we’d be working on the same floor… Or—
Oh geez, there was no way to avoid him in the future, was there?
Which was exactly why I could never kiss him again. He was bound to find out my identity one way or another.
I jerked away right before he made contact. “I’m so sorry, but I can’t. Please just… Let it go.” Pressing my fingers against my own lips because they grew angry at me for not giving them what they wanted, I sent Ezra a pleading look, hoping he’d forgive me for this, right before I spun away and dashed off.
“No! Wait.”
He followed. Damn persistent man. But I was desperate and fast. I couldn’t face this right now. I wanted one more night to dream about the magic we’d made in the courtyard before he hated me forever.
When I realized I was headed toward the ballroom and could already hear the music and talking from inside, I darted right toward another entrance back into the dark courtyard.
“No!” he cried, probably realizing the same moment I did that once I slipped into the night, I could probably escape him for good.
I dashed through the doorway, hurtling myself toward the bushes. It felt as if he were right on my tail, but by the time I reached a shadow and crouched down before turning back to check, he’d just reached the doorway.
“Dammit,” he muttered, while I silently cheered. I’d successfully evaded him. Yes!
His arched horns and cape made a daunting silhouette as he cursed in the lighted entrance of the courtyard. When he stepped outside, I huddled down and held my breath, trying not to breathe.
“This isn’t fair,” he called as he let the door fall shut behind him, casting more darkness around us. “You know that, right? What you’re doing to me. It’s not right. I don’t even have a name to remember you by.”
When I didn’t answer, just pulled myself taut as he walked past within five feet of me, he let out a harassed sigh.
“Fine. You don’t want to talk? Then maybe you’ll listen.” He entered the clearing where my mother’s statue was, and moonlight sprayed down onto his horns. “I don’t know what’s going on here or what frightened you off, but it started the moment you learned who I was. So I can only assume you work for JFI and got spooked when you realized you’d just kissed the boss. Am I right? I mean, we’re at an office party. It makes sense.”
He waited a moment after that declaration, as if waiting for me to confirm or deny his suspicions. When I remained hidden and silent, he cleared his throat.
“Okay then. I’ll continue with that theory since I’ve got nothing else to work with.” He gave another slight pause, letting me jump in and say something. Then he shook his head. His voice took on a compassionate tone. “I admit, I should’ve known better. I have no idea what I was thinking by kissing you; you have to be somehow affiliated with the company, either as an employee or friend of one. But… But now that it’s happened, I don’t regret it. And I don’t want to stop with just that.”
He made a frustrated groan before blowing out a long, calming breath. Then he murmured, “I understand, you know. I’ve never made out with an employee before. This is unchartered territory for me too. My guts are tied in knots with all kinds of different concerns. But I don’t think it’s something we have to run from or hide. We can deal with this. I know it.”
