He pulls back a measure. “Your fear has a taste, starling. It’s mouthwatering. But as much as I’m tempted to spend the day torturing myself with it—” A devilish smile slants his mouth as he reaches into his pocket and produces a folded slip of paper. “You have something I need, and I told you I’d collect.”
For one dreaded, off-kilter heartbeat, I envision the piece of evidence in my pocket—until he says, “Your signature.”
Masking my relief, I draw myself up through my spine and accept the document. I only have to scan the top line to recognize it as a copy of the mandatory admittance Banner gave me.
“Orion, I never signed this.”
“Your resignation is attached,” he says, dismissing my objection. “Effective immediately, Dr. Holbrook.”
Trapped between his body and the desk, I suddenly question just who the sneakiest piece on the board is.
Meeting his eyes, I hold up the document between us and tear it down the center, letting the halves float to the floor. “There. That’s my move,” I say pointedly. “Too bad you already gave yours away.”
He licks his lips, cold amusement flickering behind his glasses. “Did I now.”
I lift my chin, refusing to flinch. “You lost the ability to intimidate me the moment you gave me your umbrella, Orion.”
A knowing grin twists his mouth, challenge sparking in the depths of his eyes as he removes one hand from the desk. He settles his palm along my jawline, fingers pressed to my neck. His glove is a cool kiss to my overheated skin, sending a sinister chill through my flesh as his thumb glides beneath my lower lip.
The distinct scent of leather coils my stomach, dredging a flash of terror to my surface. An icy trickle of fear leaks into my veins.
A predatory intent hones his gaze, the corner of his mouth curving upward with wicked satisfaction. “There it is,” he whispers, his dexterous fingers tracing the column of my spine. “That exquisite scent of yours, fear laced with fury.”
Past the panic clawing at my chest, a shockwave of desire steals my breath at his possessive tone.
As he straightens, a mocking smile cuts across his face. “The fact is, you were an easy pawn. Perfectly positioned to give me what I needed about Leo’s intentions. Now? You’re just a distraction. A fucking sexy one—but one I don’t have time for.”
“I don’t believe you.”
I don’t believe him.
“Here’s what you can believe,” he says, the gravel in his voice scraping over me in threat. “One of us is afraid I’ll act on my intrusive thoughts, and I’m fairly certain it’s not me.” A menacing smile hitches the edge of his mouth. “So, forgive me if your exposure therapy feels like it’d be an ineffective waste of my limited time, Dr. Holbrook.”
For the male species, deprivation of carnal desires can leave them vulnerable, susceptible to a more dangerous predator.
Backed into a corner as I am now, I’m that predator.
Channeling all my fear and fury, I brazenly toss my hair off my shoulder, deliberately revealing the bruises along my throat. It’s only a flash, but I see the deviant monster stir beneath his rigidly controlled surface. His gaze heats as it lingers on my throat, and I can sense his fraying restraint.
“Only one way to prove how ineffective.” In a defiant move, I brace the heels of my hands on the edge of the desk and lift myself onto the surface, bringing my face within inches of his. “I may or may not be wearing panties, Dr. Night,” I say, my bold words a breathy tremble. “How bad do you want to find out? Bad enough to remove your glove and slip your hand beneath my skirt and touch me—or was that all just talk?”
I part my thighs in blatant challenge.
“Jesus—fuck,” he mutters coarsely, barely constrained. A crazed spark ignites behind his eyes, and I’m met with six years’ worth of raw need, almost wilting under the intensity of it.
“Make your next move,” I dare, my voice unsteady with adrenaline.
His nostrils flare, jaw strained until a muscle jumps. Something volatile and prohibited sweeps over me, claiming. This dark current reaches out, hungrily probing, testing.
Wanting.
With a fierce groan, Orion pushes away from the desk.
My heart thunders as I watch him storm from the office. My body is so primed, I don’t even flinch at the slam of the door.
“Check,” I mutter to myself.
I’m only given a moment to breathe, to fill my constricted lungs, before the door opens again and he charges right toward me, a blaze torching his eyes. “Oh, shit.”
