I get changed and take the stairs to the gym on the upper level of the building. After a few sets of chest presses, deadlifts, and squats, my foul mood improves slightly.
Wrong answer, young man.
Only because she didn’t let me finish. She is more than a challenge. But what was I going to say anyway? That I can’t stop thinking about her? That her freckles and curls are on my mind all the time?
That I like even the exhaustion lines on her face, and I wish I could wipe them away. That seeing her relax is like a gift. Like, for the first time in my life, I draw joy from making someone laugh, relax, be carefree.
And all of that is made even more infuriating because it comes in a sexy package that makes my balls swell.
I wouldn’t have told her any of this. I know it’s just my infatuation throwing tantrums because it can’t get a toy.
But I wonder if, at this point, I’m still trying to win with Cal or to win the girl.
Because the yearning remains. The need to conquer her is stronger than ever before.
Who am I kidding? I’ve never felt a pull this powerful. It must be her resistance. Because at the end of the day, she is right. We’re from different worlds, different backgrounds.
Perhaps it is the novelty of her world.
Whatever it is, I don’t think I will shake it until I have her. This interest must be quenched somehow, and then I can move on.
Or perhaps I can turn the challenge around. What if I win in resisting her? That must be it.
After I finish my workout, I head to the partners’ meeting.
We always meet in Cormac’s office, as if we didn’t have boardrooms. But then he hoards the best vintage Macallan, so I don’t mind invading his space.
His door is open, so I walk right in and find him with a visitor. “Oh, Saar, how are you? Did you come to make sure his muzzle is well fastened?”
Corm’s wife laughs. “I wouldn’t want him to bite anyone. It’s just messy.”
“I’m right here,” Corm scoffs.
Saar kisses his cheek. “You’reright, darling, you need to putthemon shorter leashes, so they learn respect.”
Corm rolls his eyes, smirking. “Okay, off you go, woman, before you completely destroy my team’s morale.”
“What morale?” Roxy walks in.
Saar laughs. “Roxy for President.”
“I have better things to do.” Roxy sits in her usual armchair, swinging her legs over the armrest.
“Okay, I’m out of here.” Saar gives Corm another peck. “Make sure Ed Reynolds shows up.”
“Jesus, he said he’d be there. I’m not a dating service.” He walks Saar to the door, his hand caressing her lower back.
“Are you setting up Ed Reynolds?” Roxy rubs her hands. “With whom? I need details.”
“With my friend Cora,” Saar says cheerfully, sends everyone an air kiss, and leaves.
“Where is Caleb?” Corm asks as the latter walks in, his hair still damp from the shower.
“I’m here.” He sits down.
The entire exchange is happening while I’m standing rooted. Ed fucking Reynolds is a boring tech guy whose firm is two stories down from ours and covers our IT needs. What on earth does he want with Cora Winslow?
And why would she refuse me and then go on adate with that clown? The fucking Quinns are setting it up? What the hell?
