They’re the same.
They’re all him.
The boy who learned early that love meant protection, and protection meant blood if it had to.
A knock at the door pulls my attention, and Betty steps in carrying paper bags that immediately fill the room with the most mouthwatering smell.
James stands and moves before I do, taking the bags from her with a smile.“Let me take those.”
“What’s that?”
“I missed lunch,” James says, turning back to me as Betty quietly slips out. “And I didn’t know how long we’d be, so I ordered some Thai. Is that okay?”
“I mean, sure, knock yourself out.”
“There’s plenty here for you too,” he says, unpacking containers onto my desk.
“I’ve actually got dinner plans.”
“Come on, you must be hungry. Betty told me you hadn’t eaten lunch today.”
That’s it, I’m firing her ass.
“Okay. Just a little,” I say, reaching for a spring roll and immediately regretting it the second my fingers touch it.
I want to slam my forehead into the desk because I just handed him that small victory of control, and he knows it.
Shortly after, I sink back into my chair, and James circles behind me. Every hair on the back of my neck stands on endbecause he’s close, too close. If I spun my chair right now, I’d be full face-to-dick.
“This is all looking really good, Shannen.”
“Hopefully it’ll be better received than my original idea.”
“I loved the first design because it was so different,” he admits. “But this will work. I can’t see anyone raising a complaint.”
The bright red we started with has been toned down to maroon, and we’re still going with the black but using less of it. The fonts aren’t as sharp—they’re definitely less me—and we’re starting with their website to test the waters. Changing the hotels will come later, and that will be entirely left to James and whoever he brings in. I’m just the artist who sends the files.
“You preferred the first?” I ask, turning my face and glancing up at him.
“Yes, but not because this isn’t a great alternative. The original was… I don’t know—it felt more seductive. Intimate. I liked it a lot.”
“But your board, of what I assume are older men, didn’t like that.” I start to laugh, but it dies in my throat when James leans in closer.
“I love how this shade complements the black. It’s dark, but still eye-catching.”
My cell vibrates, and Phoenix’s name flashes across the screen. I reach for it immediately, and James takes a step back.
“Sorry, I need to—” I turn my face and force a polite smile. “Give me a second.”
PHOENIX: I’m about five seconds away from breaking both his arms so he can’t get that fucking close to you again.
I’ve only just got you back. I don’t want to be visiting you in prison.
PHOENIX: Worth it. Now, tell him to back the fuck up, or I will.
I set my phone down, definitely a little too hard, and push back from the table, needing distance from James. His attention feels almost physical, and whatever Phoenix is feeling right now, watching this through whatever camera he’s got trained on me—I can feel that too.
“I think we’ve made real progress here.”
