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His comment unexpectedly makes me giggle, a sound that seems to stir something in him. His eyes darken with a mixture of amusement and something intense and passionate.
Reece then addresses the undeniable pull between us. "I hope this...attractionisn't distracting you, Miss Jones."
"Who said I'm attracted to you?" I counter, but it's a feeble attempt at denial.
His gaze intensifies, traveling from my lips down my body and back up again. "Your body language is quite telling," he observes, his voice low and suggestive.
Trapped under Reece's intense stare, I search for the right words, my voice firm but wavering slightly. "Reece, whether I feel attracted to you is beside the point. The fact remains: I have responsibilities here, a job that demands myfullattention. That has to be my main priority, my only focus right now.”
He moves closer, our bodies mere inches apart. "I don't believe you," he says, his hand finding its way around my waist, drawing me closer.
Overwhelmed by his nearness, I try to maintain my composure. But his touch, his scent, the heat emanating from his body—it's all too much. As he lowers his lips to mine, the world around us fades away, and all I can think about is the man in front of me—Reece Forrester.
The kiss unleashes a cascade of emotions and memories, making it nearly impossible to stand my ground. My history with him dates back to my earliest memories after being new in town—a young black girl, like a fish out of water, thrust into ritzy upstate New York society—he was the focus of my youthful affections, first crush and first kiss. But now, as a woman, my desires have deepened and evolved. I need to experience the full weight of his body on mine, connect with his heart, feel his affection for me and explore the potential intimacy of a relationship beyond physical attraction.
Yet, the doubts nag at me. Can I truly find the relationship I crave with Reece? My rational mind argues against it. There is no way he is truly attracted to me. I can't be his type. I'm clearly just an itch he wants to scratch. Maybe this is why I've been avoiding him, unwilling to risk my professional integrity and personal emotions for a relationship that might never be. I don't want a clandestine affair hidden in shadows, defined by secrecy. I am worth more than that.
His mouth and tongue are a momentary distraction, a tantalizing promise of what could be, yet I force myself to remember why I kept my distance. I cannot fall for someone who might never be truly mine, someone who could be a fleeting chapter in my life story.
Reece, sensing my hesitation, slows down and pulls back. Our foreheads touch, our breathing synchronized in the quiet aftermath of our kiss. We open our eyes slowly, and our gazes lock, unsaid words hanging between us.
He lifts my hand to his lips, a gentle, questioning gesture. "Tell me the truth, Genesis. Why are you running from me?" His request is raw, seeking honesty.
How can I explain without revealing too much, without betraying the confidences of his brothers? I have to take responsibility for my own decisions.
"Because we shouldn't be doing this, Reece," I assert, my voice firm despite the turmoil inside. "Secret rendezvous aren't enough for me. I'm not just someone's hidden affair. I deserve more."
His reaction is swift, a mix of frustration and disbelief. "I don't see you that way," he snaps, his eyes intense.
"Then what do you think of me?" I challenge, my own frustration rising. "I won't be controlled, then pushed aside."
He's incredulous. "What are you talking about?"
"Remember that night, ten years ago?" I challenge Reese, my voice laced with an edge that even I didn't expect. "When you pushed me away as soon as Talon walked in. Was it because you didn't want your brother to see you with his black, female friend—the one pitied and adopted by the wealthy friends of the Forresters?"
Reese visibly recoils, as if my words are a physical blow. His response is quick and firm, a vehement denial in his eyes. "No one ever saw you like that, Genny. Don't ever talk about yourself or me in that way." His voice is a mix of frustration and earnestness, trying to rewrite a history that has clearly left its mark on us both.
I stand my ground. "It's my story to tell. And trust me, I experienced prejudice in this forsaken social clique first-hand. If it wasn't for Talon, I wouldn't have been accepted in high school."
He insists on setting the record straight. "I'm sorry you experienced that, Genesis, I am, but that was not the case for me, and you need to know it. Back then, I was intrigued by you. You were smart, wise beyond your years, gorgeous—"
"And now?" I ask, needing to hear his answer.
"Even more so," he admits, his voice softer. "I'm attracted to the woman you've become."
His words imply a depth of feeling, but I'm not convinced. “I can't let myself be someone who climbs the ladder by getting involved with the boss. I won’t."
"We're not sleeping together," he points out, a hint of frustration in his tone.
I question where this is all leading, only half-jokingly wondering if it's just about stolen kisses in private, but I'm not in the mood for jokes. As I try to leave, he grabs my wrist, pulling me close.
"You feel it, too. It's more than just physical attraction."
I can't deny the truth in his words, but it's complicated. "This is the issue. I do feel it, and that's exactly what's troubling."
He looks at me intently, sincerity shining in his eyes. "You're important to me, Genesis. It's not just about attraction. It’s something more…for each of us."
His assurance catches me off guard. "Really, Reece? You think you know me?"
