“I can’t afford that.”
I lifted my head. “I told you earlier to pick something up.”
“And I did at the deli I passed on the way there.”
By the way she said it, I had a feeling she didn’t go with the spirit of my offer—I wanted to buy her lunch.
A blaring alarm sound made me freeze. “Crap,” she hissed as she set the container down on the table. After fumbling for her phone, she tapped the screen and blew out a breath.
“You didn’t answer?” I asked, curiosity itching at me.
She shook her head. “Alarm.”
“For what?”
She blinked at me, her cheeks pinking before she turned her attention back to the containers, pulling them from the bags.
“My pill,” she said.
Pill? Why would she be embarrassed about—
Oh, fuck.
I clenched my fist and slammed my eyes closed. My dick was rock solid in seconds.
Birth control pill.
Bare.
I could fuck her bare and come inside her.
“You’re killing me,” I whispered as I tried to regain some semblance of professionalism before I bent her over the table and did just that.
Again and again and—
Fuck.
We’d already inadvertently had the “I’m clean, you’re clean” conversation that first day, and now to find out she was on birth control?
I was screwed seven ways to Sunday.
“Your boyfriend likes that, I bet.” The words were acid on my tongue, burning with each syllable. But I had to know, to be sure.
“No boyfriend.”
“One-night stands?”
“None of those either.”
“Hookups with exes?”
She straightened and huffed, glaring at me as she shoved a container at me.
“None of your business.”
I grabbed her wrist when she moved to leave. “Why are you on it?”
“Fuck you.” She twisted from my grip. “You don’t get to know my reason, Carthwright, because it is mine.”
“For an ex?” I pressed. I needed to know for some damn reason.
Her gaze narrowed on me. “Maybe in hopes that one day I’ll find a guy worth fucking. Too bad it hasn’t happened yet.”
Lashed again.
I was sorely losing our game, but I began to wonder if that was a bad thing.
I stepped closer, looming over her. “Maybe you should come over and we can put that to the test.”
“Hell and no,” she hissed through clenched teeth.
I leaned down, my lips close to her ear. “Are you afraid to be alone with me?”
When I pulled back, that delicious pink was spread across her skin again. Her body was on my side—now to change her mind about me.
The adjustment to my temporary position wasn’t nearly as difficult as it was to be close to him. That arrogant, cocky attitude rubbed me wrong, though I had to admit the attraction between us was strong. Our push and pull only made it more difficult.
I reluctantly had to exchange numbers with Carthwright, and I immediately labeled it as Carthwright the Assholian. Not that he saw at the time. All he paid attention to was making sure I added it to my contacts.
The name was fitting, I thought. However, he did seem upset when he saw it the other day.
The exchange was mostly for emergencies or call-offs, so I was quite surprised on Saturday when I was cutting up fruit for Kinsey’s lunch when his nickname popped up on my screen.
Carthwright the Assholian: It has come to my attention that you don’t particularly like me.
A harsh laugh left me, causing Kinsey to look at me oddly, which only made me laugh more. Her expressions were often comical, especially when she was surprised by something.
Not liking him was accurate. Sadly, that did little to deter the attraction that buzzed when he was within five feet. Or when his smug mouth opened and that deep, silky voice came out.
Roe: Been sending your spies around, have you? Besides, did you really think I did?
Was his message because of the contact name?
I set the fruit in front of Kinsey before popping a piece into my mouth.
Carthwright the Assholian: I’d like the opportunity to change your mind.
Yeah, right.
Roe: You forced me from a position I actually liked and a career accelerating project, demoting me to your errand girl, and after all that, you think the hatred coursing through me might subside with some conversation?
Carthwright the Assholian: One night. Dinner. Anywhere you want to go.
Dinner? He wanted to go on a date? No. Not just no, but hell, no.
For one thing, I knew it would end in sex because I wanted him, but there was also Kinsey to consider.
Roe: I mean this in the shittiest way…go fuck yourself.
A bold move, but was he serious? It wasn’t happening.
Carthwright the Assholian: I’d rather discuss other alternatives.
That stopped me. It was almost as if I could hear him whispering the words into my ear, his breath blowing across my skin.
I crossed my legs, trying to ignore the feeling that was growing between my thighs.
How long had it been since I’d had other alternatives? There had also been enough instances to prove I was attracted to the man despite my words. The two of us alone, together, outside of the office only had one outcome—me ending up in his bed.
Why did I have to keep thinking about that? Focus, Roe!
Roe: Sexual harassment much? I’m not a notch kind of girl.
A ruse, because I refused to admit he piqued my interest past a romp between the sheets.
Or against the wall.
I wasn’t picky so long as that mouth never left my skin.
What is wrong with me?
I shook my shoulders out and straightened up, clearing my mind and body of the constant dirty road they kept veering off into when it came to the man.
Because the sad fact was that my body very much wanted to play.
Carthwright the Assholian: You’re so stubborn you won’t even hear me out? Fine. I like a challenge.
Roe: Better get your boxing gloves on. I don’t go down without a fight.
Carthwright the Assholian: Is that all you’ll be wearing?
I meant everything I said, but I also loved screwing with him. There was something about the man that set my blood on fire, and not in a bad way.
I wasn’t going to let him know that.
He was the epitome of the “I’m better than you” personality, from the set of his eyes as he looked at people, to the way he barked orders with neither a please or a thank you and the money he dropped left and right on things as simple as lunch.
The man did not need a fifty-dollar salad from Carmichael’s. I could get him the same thing for ten at the deli a block away.
Still, our constant back and forth felt like more than just bickering. There was an underlying current that drew us closer and closer.
Kinsey let out a grunt of protest and I looked over to find the banana gone, the last piece smashed to a pulp in her tiny fist.
“More?” I asked. She kicked her legs and started babbling, smearing the banana bits across the tray.
All the scene did was remind me that it didn’t matter how close we got, or if I did cave and have sex with him, he would run the second he laid eyes on her.
Every day at noon was torture. The musical reminder set my cock off at lightning speed, even with my mind engrossed in whatever task held my attention.