The tips of my fingers halt on a downward descent as his words penetrate the anger enveloping me. I must be hearing things. “Other women aren’t measuring up, huh? Bummer.”
He gives no outward reaction that suggests my snark makes an impact. “You didn’t return my calls.”
A brow quirks at his audacity. “Did you actually expect me to?”
“Yes, it’s common courtesy.”
I scoff, attempting not to laugh. “Practice what you preach, Mr. Winters.”
“Savannah,” he drawls.
“Lannie,” I retort.
The corner of his mouth lifts ever so slightly. “Damn, I’ve really missed you.”
I sweep my eyes to the ceiling for a moment’s reprieve. Gawking at his hot face while he lies straight to mine isn’t pleasing to the self-esteem. “Is there an actual purpose to this conversation or are you just toying with me like usual?”
“I need to apologize for how I treated you.” Landon’s hands mold around the lip of the table, turning white at the knuckles.
“Well, all right.” I stand with a boost of energy straightening my posture. “I don’t accept your apology. Is there anything else before I go?”
“Do you want me to walk away, Ms. Simons?”
“Yes.” I want to hiss the word, but don’t. Fed up doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel. Being employed is nice, and I’d like to keep it that way, but not for the sake of my already shattered pride. Plus, his threat lost any real merit in the last month.
His legs visibly flex, and he crosses them at the ankles. It would seem he’s trying to hold back from prowling forward. “You don’t mean that.”
“It clearly doesn’t matter what I want.” I motion at the otherwise empty room for emphasis.
Landon flattens his mouth into a firm line. “Petulance doesn’t suit you.”
“I’m pretty sure a bit of attitude is called for right about now.”
“Can’t we move past this?” His expression is so damn earnest that the air squeezes from my lungs.
“Absolutely not.” My next breath is barely a wheeze. The need to escape this confinement burns my throat. I stride to the door.
“Savannah, wait.”
My footsteps falter on their own accord. “Why should I? I was only a good fuck. It’s over now.”
“You’re more than that.” The honesty clanging from his tone begs me to believe him, but he destroyed my trust.
“Not to you.” I pause for mere seconds like a dog waiting for scraps. Waiting for him to correct me is beyond foolish. “Enjoy your morning, Mr. Winters.”
His grip meets my elbow. He’s hovering close enough to brush his lips against my ear. “Sugar, it can’t end like this.”
Melting into him would be so easy. His crisp woodsy scent infiltrates my system until I’m dizzy from ingesting him. My legs practically quake against the natural instinct to sway backward. He’s turning my body against me. The conflicting emotions stoke a riot to rage inside me. “Why not? We’ve hated each other from the start.”
“But things changed.” The suggestion isn’t lost on me, but I’m done falling for his shit.
“For you, maybe.” I cough to cover the slight tremble in my voice.
“Don’t lie to me, Savannah. Not about this. If there’s a chance—”
“Just go, Landon.” I blink against the sting peppering my eyes.
He releases a weighty sigh. “I’ll leave, but not permanently. You can expect to see me again.”
It takes great effort to restore any semblance of my resistance. “And you can expect a similar result.”
“That’s just fine with me. Want to know why?”
“I’m on the edge of my seat.” No one needs to point out that I’m standing.
Landon leans in, his breath fanning across my neck. “I’m no stranger to indifference. People rarely get a reaction from me. You care about me, Savannah. If you didn’t, I’d already be gone.”
Damn him and his intuitive logic. I seethe without uttering a sound. If only I could perfect the art of remaining neutral. This man prods me until I burst and rely on seemingly faithful comebacks. “You’re delusional.”
“And you’re stumbling into old habits.” His chuckle is almost my undoing. Then he keeps talking. “Lust and loathing straddle a fine line, sugar. Love isn’t far behind.”
By the grace of some higher power, Landon storms from the conference room after that parting blow. The guy can unnerve me with a simple smirk. I didn’t need to test my resolve with more temptation. My freaking knees are knocking just recalling the flames emanating from him. Why I had to go and catch feelings is further proof that my curse is real. I put up a brave front, but underneath the titanium is a girl just wanting to find love. He’s such a bastard, and I’m a total idiot for wanting him.
I’m five steps from my cubicle when Vince calls out to me. “Can I see you for a minute, Vannah?”
A stifled sigh whooshes from me and I hang my head. I cannot handle another proverbial boxing match at the moment, but denying his request is out of the question. With a smile pasted on solely for appearances, I turn and stride into his office.
Vince settles into the chair behind his desk. He gestures for me to take a seat. Any hope that this would be a quick chat gets dashed with that motion. “You know I’m not one to fluff bad news. As always. beating around the bush wastes our time.”
I nod, willing to make this less painful for both of us. “If you’re referring to how I acted toward Mr. Winters, there’s a reasonable explanation.”
One that I’ll readily pull from my ass while he lectures me on proper etiquette with clients.
He frowns, accentuating the wrinkles around his mouth. “That explanation is probably what this is about, I’m afraid.”
“Oh?” A sinking sensation tugs at my belly. I don’t let my grin slip, though. “Okay, good. I figured that’s what you wanted to discuss.”
Vince drags a hand through his hair, sending the strands into disarray. “Under normal circumstances, I would’ve already given you a reminder that you’re paid on commission. Being rude to clients isn’t tolerated, Vannah. You know better.” He slices through the air with an open palm. “But this is about a more immediate subject.”
My stomach plummets and I wince. Requesting that he spits it out tickles on my lips. “Did I do something else wrong?”
“There’s no easy way to have this conversation.” His sentiment about not dawdling is almost comical at this point. If there wasn’t a thick gurgle pestering my insides, I might laugh.
“Just tell me.” I almost roll my wrist to speed the process along.
“Olivia just informed me that she overheard a heated argument between you and Landon Winters. She claims that you’ve formed a physical relationship with him. Now, what you do on your personal time is none of my business. I couldn’t care less. This isn’t me trying to dictate what you do, okay?” His eyes are wide and hold a terrified sheen.
Considering my father is a highly respected lawyer in this state, Vince should be shitting his pants while trying to discipline me for sleeping with a client. This accusation is based on hearsay, which makes it worse. Vile hatred for that woman incinerates my veins. I pat at my arms to be sure that blisters aren’t forming.