Fuzzy memories taunt me—grabbing her hips for support in the bathroom, words slurring together. Kneeling before this deceitful siren. Humiliating details made hazy by booze, yet that shame still burns relentless.
But she brought this on herself by stealing my keys. I didn’t force her hand. We all face the fallout from our choices—I’m dealing with the circus now that my personal life is splashed across the rags. Wasn’t my finest moment, but we all have our vices.
“If you breathe a word of what happened in that bathroom, I’ll come down on you so hard you’ll wish you didn’t have a tongue,” I warn.
“Nice visual,” she huffs. “Worried being seen with a regular girl like me will ruin your reputation?”
I stare at her. “That’s not what I’m talking about.”
A silent understanding passes between us, the air thick with unspoken words. The fact that I knelt before a stranger in a bathroom like a pathetic, emasculated boy. Now that would make page six, much more than any orgy. My downfall on lurid display in a public bathroom.
“I wouldn’t have said anything, no matter who you are,” she says softly. “Honestly, I just thought you were high.”
“Don’t make out you’re a fucking good girl. You helped yourself to what wasn’t offered regardless,” I snap.
She meets my accusation with a look bordering on hurt, clutching her laptop tightly. “The world isn’t so black and white for everyone, Connor. Your reality is far different from the rest of us.”
Her words fall short of the confession I want.
“It’s Mr. Quinn to you.”
“Mr. Quinn,” she corrects quickly.
“Just admit you took my car, and maybe I’ll consider lenience.”
“I don’t know anything about your car,” she whispers.
Dammit.
“You’re going to regret playing it this way,” I warn, turning to leave.
“Wait.” Her hand shoots out, latching onto my forearm. Every muscle in me tenses instinctively.
“Please.” She blinks up at me, lower lip trembling as tears cling to her lashes. Something tugs in my chest at the sight, even as I fight the unwelcome swell of sympathy.
“Give me a chance. I’m begging you. I can’t get fired. I’ll do anything, work any hour, night and day, to keep your account.”
I roll my gaze over her, taking in those features. Heart-shaped face framed by dark waves. Full lips parted in a desperate ploy for sympathy. Those mismatched eyes shimmering with crocodile tears meant to manipulate me. So deceptively innocent. Can I even trust her around Willow?
She’s not the most stunning woman I’ve laid eyes on, but maybe the most striking. Can’t quite put my finger on it.
I peel her grasping fingers off my arm, grazing her knuckles with my thumb. Her breath catches before I release her. Good—let her squirm.
She’s lying through her teeth, but I don’t have any proof. Yet. However, it just so happens I’m a big believer in keeping your friends close . . . and enemies closer.
Real close.
And since we sure as hell aren’t friends, I’ll be keeping this sneaky little nemesis very close. Perhaps I’ll take more satisfaction in making her professional life a special kind of hell.
Part of me wants to toy with her until she breaks. A small monkey-brain part of me also wants to take her hard against the wall. Right here. Right now.
The toying side is winning by a landslide.
“Looks like you just can’t stay away from me,Lexi.Guess I’ll have to keep you real close from now on. This should be all kinds of fun.”
THIRTEEN
Lexi
