A firm hold on my elbow spun me around until I faced her.“Jesus, Sam.Why are you trying so hard to change my mind?When we first met, you hated me.”
“I didn’t hate you.”
That earned me a stern eyebrow raise.
“Fine.I may have harbored some unsavory feelings towards you.”
“Oh, my god.”She groaned.“Would it help if I said I hated you?”
“Do you?”
“I …” She huffed.“No.Don’t distract me.You haven’t answered my question.Why do you care so much that I want to leave?”
“I …” Oh, god, it was catching.I tried to think about it.Despite her professional expertise, which I would be justified in not wanting to lose, there were a hundred ways that life would be made easier if she wasn’t working for me anymore.
And yet, the idea of her leaving bothered me.
After months of a slow decline, she was a rush of adrenaline to my life.
“Sam?”she asked when I still hadn’t answered her.
She stepped closer.My gaze caught on her mouth, and I shivered when she licked her lips before they curled into a knowing smile.
Damn, she knew what she was doing to me.
“Sam.”Another step.Body heat rolled off of her, warming up the parts of me she was nearest to.
I stepped back.Felt the rustle of the bar cart as I brushed against it.I couldn’t go any farther.“We can’t.”
I really needed to get myself together.
With a steadying breath, I began to walk away, putting some distance between us.Distance was good.Necessary.
She followed me into the living room, hot on my heels.
“That’s it?Jesus, do you even hear yourself?”
I stopped mid-stride.She had a point.If I could get my head out of this haze for one minute, I would be able to see this from her perspective.
“Sam!Are you just going to ignore me now?”
I turned to face her, enamored by how radiant she was, despite, or maybe in spite of, her anger.Lust coiled around my spine, growing deep in my gut, and for once, I felt dangerously close to giving in.
I’d been holding back before, unwilling to cross that boundary, and unsure of her reaction.But from the way she was holding my gaze now, I was almost certain she wanted the same thing I did.
And dammit, it made it impossible not to give it to her.
I’ve been drawn to her since the moment we met.It’s a terrible idea, but … what was the risk here?Tiffany had quit.In short time, she’d leave the bar, and me, behind, and this would be forgotten.
Her features twisted in frustration, hands now clenched at her sides.“Fuck, you’re so frustrating!With your calm.And your reason.And your gorgeous eyes.I mean, what’s up with them anyhow?Are they gray, are they green, are they blue?Who fucking knows?”
Fire erupted through me.One I’d grown accustomed to whenever she was around.This time I took a step forward, getting in her face.
“I’m frustrating?Do you know how completely and utterly infuriating you can be?You’re smart, talented, easily the most beautiful woman I’ve ever met … You could be doing anything.But you seem to get a kick out of making me want to tear my hair out at every possible turn.”
Our eyes were locked on each other.Then, a slow smirk warmed her face.“You’re kind of hot when you’re angry.”She stepped forward to meet me.
“Tiffany.”A warning.For her or me, I couldn’t be sure.
