“Where did you learn how to fight?” I asked, not recognizing my own voice.
“Here and there,” she said in a breathy tone. “Did I pass your test?”
“Not quite.”
“Come again?”
“I have you pinned.”
“You also have an erection.”
I laughed. “So? That shouldn’t stop you from fighting me off. Never hesitate. Do you hear me?”
She licked her lips. “Yes, sir.”
The throbbing in my dick dissipated. “Don’t call me that.”
She knitted her eyebrows. “Why not?”
“‘Sir’ reeks of someone you respect, and I’m not that guy. I’m not good, Joy. I’m an asshole.”
“I don’t think so. You’re taking time to help me today. You bandaged me up last night. Not many bosses would do that. Your brother Denim even said you have men to do the work.”
“Don’t read into anything. If you do, you might be sorely disappointed to learn more about me.”
“Like what? Are you a killer? Stalker? All of us have parts that are not good.”
I pierced her with an empty look, my chest tight that her last line was spot-on. “And what part of you isn’t good?”
She wiggled beneath me, and my erection was coming alive once again. “I guess you’ll just have to stick around to find out.”
I raised my eyebrows slightly. “Is that a challenge?”
“Call it whatever you like. It’s clear you’re going to.” Her gaze lowered to my groin area.
“How do you figure?”
She rolled her eyes then squirmed once again. “There’s fire between us, Duke. I feel it, and you’re clearly showing it with that bulge in your shorts. Plus, that kiss last night says it all.”
I ghosted my lips over hers. “Are you saying you want to fuck me?”
She sucked in air. “I think we need to. Maybe then we can alleviate the sexual tension and move on.”
It was bad enough the kiss was messing with my head—and possibly my heart—but making love to her would surely be my downfall.
I trailed a finger down her neck to her cleavage. Her skin was damp and silky. Goose bumps trailed in the wake of my touch. “You think you can handle me?”
“There’s only one way to find out.”
With all the control I could muster, I left her on the mat. “We’re done for today.”
She rose up on her elbows. “What’s wrong, Duke? Are you afraid?”
“Not at all,” I lied as I went over to my bag. “I have the money for you to pay that bald beast.”
“We should talk aboutus. That kiss,” she said at my back.
I counted the bills then slipped them into the envelope. “Joy, you’re beautiful, but you and I aren’t going to happen. Last night was a mistake.”
