“You can’t just creep up on me like this! What if I’d been naked?” I wave my hands around before remembering I’min a towel. I check it’s secure and grip the top of it before leveling daggers at him.
“I’m your boss. I can do what the fuck I like. And you’re not, so there’s no need to throw a hissy fit.”
“Get out!” I point toward the door.
He steps toward me. I grip my towel harder, gulping as he puts himself all up in my personal space. Fuck, why does he have to look so good and smell so good? The blue of his open-necked shirt matches the blue in his eyes as he stares at me with cold indifference. There is scant distance between us, and I’m acutely aware of every hard, toned inch of his tempting body. But a muscle ticks in his jaw, and heat rolls off him in waves, giving the game away. He’s not as indifferent as he seems. He’sangry. I’d bet money on it.
His fingers wrap around my chin as he tilts my head back. “No.” His expression dares me to challenge him, but I’m nota woman who ever backs down, and I know how to pick my battles.
I shrug. “Suit yourself.” Removing his hand from my chin, I take a couple steps back and smirk as I unknot the towel and expose myself to his greedy gaze. I keep my eyes trained on his face as I slowly dry my body, watching him watch me as I swirl the towel around my breasts, lifting the heavy weight to catch the moisture underneath. My nipples stand at attention under his heady look, and lust swirls in my belly as I drag the towel lower, patting my bare pussy dry.
Turning around, I run the towel against my ass before lifting one leg onto the bed and slowly drying it from foot to thigh. Then I repeat the motion with my other leg, smirking as I feel his eyes all over me. Planting both feet on the carpeted floor, I turn around to face him again, slowly running my hands all over my naked body.
“Stop that,” he clips out, adjusting the front of his pants where a noticeable bulge is straining against the zipper.
“I like to be thorough,” I say, deliberately lifting my boobs in each hand, inspecting the underswells with my fingers. “To ensure I got every drop of moisture.”
His Adam’s apple jumps in his throat, and I’m enjoying this.
“Put some clothes on.”
His eyes devour me as I walk toward him, stopping with only an inch between our bodies. His nostrils flare as his gaze lingers on my tits. I’m betting it wouldn’t take much to escalate things, but that’s not what this is about.
I slide my hands across his firm chest. “It’s after midnight. Why on earth would I get dressed?” I can’t fight my smirk any longer.
He curses under his breath before stalking off and snatching my green silk robe from the back of my door. “Put that on.”
“No.” I plant my hands on my hips, thrust my chest out, and smile, loving throwing his word back at him.
“Don’t push me, Gia, or you’ll be sorry.” He grinds his teeth, and his jaw clenches tight.
“Why, Joshua?” I reclaim the distance between us, putting my hands back on his chest. “What will you do to me?” I bat my eyelashes and pin him with my best sultry expression. “Will you throw me on the bed and fuck me until I’m screaming your name?” My hands roam higher, heading toward his shoulders. “Or will you spread my legs and bury your face in my pussy?” I push my boobs into his chest. “Push my tits together and fuck them?”
His pupils are practically black with lust, and the bulge tenting his pants is rock hard where it presses against my stomach. “Oh, you’d like that.”
His eyes zero in on my mouth, and my tongue darts out, wetting my lips. I stop breathing for a few seconds as electricity simmers in the air. My chest heaves when he clasps the back of my head, pulling our faces super close. I gulp, resting my hands on his shoulders as my gaze bounces from his piercing eyes to his gorgeous full lips. Indecision resides in the minuscule gap between our mouths, and the moment is super charged.
My breath hitches, butterflies swoop into my chest, and blood rushes to my head. I’m confused over my reaction to him. Tous. Part of me desperately wants him to kiss me, and I don’t understand why, but the stubborn part of me won’t concede easily.
The stubborn part wins out, and I break myself free of whatever spell he has me under. Lowering my hands from his shoulders, I push my tits together and rub my taut nipples with my thumbs. His body visibly trembles with the effort involved in keeping his hands at his sides, and I know I have him where I want him.
Stepping aside, I free my breasts and snag the robe. I pull it on, tightening the belt around my waist as I fix him with one of his signature ice looks. “Hell will freeze over before I ever let you anywhere near me. But thanks for letting me practice seduction techniques on you. Now I know that’ll work on Liam, I’ll be sure to reenact it.”
His hands clench into balls at his side. “Watch it. You’re on very thin ice, Gia. One word from me, and you’re off the mission and out of the program.”
“Try it, asshole.” I narrow my eyes. “I dare you.” I prod my finger in his chest. “I told you to get out. It was your choice to stay like some creepy perv.” It’s on the tip of my tongue to say he’s no better than Liam, but I don’t want to push him too far and I have lied enough.
The truth is my body is humming at the thought of Joshua’s hands all over me, and there is nothing creepy or pervy about it. I’m not remotely pleased about this development. I don’t want to be attracted to him. I never asked for this stupid chemistry that has sprung to life between us. I’d rather we go back to him ignoring me and me barely noticing he exists.
We stare at one another, neither of us backing down. Tension bleeds into the air as seconds pass. Joshua breaks first and smug satisfaction swells my chest. He moves to one side, combing a hand through his thick blond locks and messing up his careful styling. He’s rattled, and it’s good to know this freaky chemistry isn’t one-sided. “I shouldn’t have come here.”
“Why did you?” I rotate my shoulders from side to side before sliding my feet into my slippers.
He sighs, dragging his hand through his hair again. He mutters something under his breath. “Let’s talk in the living room,” he says, like he owns the place. Okay, maybe he does. I never asked. He strides from the bedroom, and I take my sweet ass time following.
Dropping onto the couch beside him, I purposely let my robe part, showcasing my smooth thighs.
“I’m not the one you’re being paid to seduce,” he snaps, grabbing both parts of my robe and folding it over me. “Quit this shit.”
