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I shrugged as I stepped toward her. She backed up. “I have connections.”
“You asshole! You had to have known I worked here and would want the position.”
“I did.” I proceed toward her until she was against the wall. I caged her in and ran my nose through her silky blonde hair like I used to, inhaling her scent into my lungs. Christ, I’d missed her.
My cock jumped to attention when I smelled Altoids. Three agonizing years without her. A lesser man would have been institutionalized going that long without being deep inside her delicious pussy. I ached so damn much right now, I could bend her over her desk and fuck her brains out. But it would only scratch the surface of my plight. I needed so much more than a dizzying fuck.
“Why?” Her voice trembled as I got my fill of smelling her.
I dropped my hand to her cheek and caressed it with my thumb while staring into her glossy eyes. “You know why.”
She shook her head. “No. This isn’t happening.”
“Fuck yeah, it’s happening, Autumn.” I ghosted my lips over hers, testing the waters to see how she’d respond. A shuddered breath left her lips.Perfect. “Have dinner with me.”
“No.” She swiped my hand away as if finding her strength to resist me. Fuck. “I don’t care what you think, Eli. Nothing will ever happen between us. We’re divorced. We want different things.”
“Bullshit,” I hissed, pressing my forehead to hers and gripping her waist. “We’re soul mates, Boo.”
Her hands went to my chest and pushed me back. “Maybe once upon a time we were. But you destroyed what we had when you chose your career over me. When you told me you called the shots and I had to wait for a baby until you were ready. You couldn’t even give me an estimate of how long I’d have to wait.” The pain in her eyes crushed my soul.
“Fuck,” I gritted out. She wasn’t wrong, but hearing it from her lips slashed my heart. It killed me to know I hurt her so deeply. But she wasn’t the only one who’d been in agony. When she divorced me, she’d ripped my heart clean out of my chest. I not only lost my wife but my best friend too. We’d taken vows to love, honor, and cherish. Through good times and bad. But love wasn’t enough, as she’d said time and again.
I stepped away from her, desperate to punch the wall, but I wouldn’t. I had expected Autumn’s reaction would be unsavory, though I’d hoped for a warmer and welcoming one. Hoped she’d missed me even a quarter as much as I’d missed her.
“Please, whatever interaction we are forced to have, let’s keep it professional.”
“As you wish…” I left her office, needing air. If she wanted to keep it professional, I’d give her what she asked for. Autumn Lucas wouldn’t be able to resist me for long, and when she finally bent to my will, she would discover how fucking good it felt. How much she’d missed me.
This isn’t over, Boo. Tomorrow is a new day.
3
Autumn
DROWNING MYSELF IN a bottle of Pinot Noir while watchingScandalwasn’t helping to take my mind off of Eli. Usually, Olivia Pope lifted my spirits. She was such a badass, and I aspired to be more like her. Not that I was weak or anything. I just loved her grit and strength. She wouldn’t let some stupid encounter interrupt her life. Derail her all because of a man.
Wrong, Autumn.
Fitz had an uncanny power over Liv. He pulled her in, just like Eli could do to me. It was why I moved clear across the United States to get away from my ex. Because when Eli was determined to get something, he usually got it. Unfortunately, he hadn’t tried hard enough after I kicked him out of our place. Nope. Effing Eli, the stubborn bastard thought I’d eventually calm down and let him back into our bed. Well, I sure showed him.
“Hurry up with the popcorn. I’m dying here.” I looked over my shoulder toward the kitchen as my sweet cousin scurried about, shaking her head. I was sure she thought I was as pathetic as I felt.
“Relax, Autumn, it’s coming. Two bags take twice as long to pop in the microwave.”
“It smells divine, Davina.” I snorted to myself. She hated the word divine used in the same sentence with her name. The same was true for divinity and dainty.
“You’re a brat.” She dropped onto the sofa beside me and set a massive red bowl filled with buttery, corny goodness on my lap. “Eat. Drink. AndScandalyour brains out.”
“Thanks, babe.” I shoved a handful of popcorn into my mouth and chomped while envying Olivia Pope’s wardrobe. “We should go shopping this weekend.” Spending gobs of money always made me happy.
“Before or after the party?”
“Right.” My mouth was too full to reply further. Probably a good thing since I had nothing positive or pleasant to say. Now with Eli in my city and at my work, I didn’t want to go to the party. I’d be forced to see him. Maybe even talk to him. It would be torture because I still loved that damn man.
“I know what you’re thinking. You can’t skip out of the party. You’d have to be on your deathbed to miss it. SJI events are important to the St. James family. All senior staff—that means you—must attend.”
I shoved an angry handful into my mouth, ignoring her mothering tone.
