“Thank you for inviting me out, but let’s not do this again. Let’s keep your research to working hours.”
I catch her wrist before she can reach for the door handle. I’m going to make one last attempt and if she shuts me down, I’ll never flirt with her again. I’ll back off and pretend this never happened; pretend I never knew her. “Are you scared?”
She doesn’t pull away, but I feel the tension in her arm. “Scared? What do I have to be scared about?”
“Giving us a chance.” My thumb traces circles on the inside of her wrist, feeling her pulse spiking. “I know when you kissed me back there, you felt a spark. We were so good together. I don’t know why you ghosted me back then but if you want to make it up to me, consider giving us a chance, please.”
She looks at me, and I can’t tell what the hell she is thinking. Her poker face is that fucking good.
“Come upstairs with me,” she blurts out.
I blink twice, certain I’ve misheard. “Excuse me?”
“Don’t make me repeat myself.” Her voice drops lower. “My apartment. Tonight. We deal with whatever this is, and then we can focus on work for the remaining three weeks.”
The car seems to shrink around us. My collar tightens against my throat as her words sink in. “Minji, I’m not looking for a one-night stand.”
“Really?” The corner of her mouth quirks up. “Your wandering eyes all week suggested otherwise. I’ve noticed every glance, Aaron. So, let’s be adults about this. One night, no strings, no awkward morning after.”
Heat floods my body. Desire warring with something that feels uncomfortably like disappointment. I want her, God knows I do, but not like this—not as some inconvenience to be handled and filed away.
“No.” I let go of her wrist.
Her composure cracks, just for a second. “No?”
“I don’t want to be an item on your to-do list.” I shift away, the leather seat creaking beneath me. “When we’re together again, it won’t be because?—”
“Good night.” She cuts me off, yanking the door open.
“Minji—” But she’s already on the sidewalk, the hem of her pink dress disappearing through revolving doors.
My phone buzzes. Axel, wondering where I’ve gone. I stare at the empty space she left behind, the ghost of her perfume still hanging in the air.
“Where to now, sir?” The driver’s eyes find mine in the rearview mirror.
CHAPTER 13
MINJI
I’m blamingtonight’s chaotic events on Demi. I’ve got to be losing my damn mind. Why would I ever suggest that he come upstairs with me? Why would I proposition him that way?Demi. Demi. Demi.I hate that I’m not myself around Aaron. The moment I enter my apartment, I kick off my heels with enough force to send them flying across the foyer.
“Stupid, stupid, stupid.” I drop my clutch on the entry table.
My reflection in the hallway mirror stops me in my tracks. Smudged lipstick. Flushed cheeks. I look exactly like what I am… A woman who was thoroughly kissed on the dance floor and desperately wants more. My fingertips trace my lower lip, tingling where his mouth had claimed mine. The memory of our bodies pressed together sends electricity down my spine. I drift to the kitchen in a daze, reaching for the bottle of cabernet and filling my glass to the brim.
The rational part of my brain screams at me to wash up, change into pajamas, and pretend that kiss with Aaron never happened. Instead, I find myself drifting to the windows, staring down at the street below. Is he still out there? Did he go back to the party? To Vanessa? The thought of him with his ex sends an unwelcome surge of jealousy through me, and that alone ispissing me off. I have no claim over him. No right to care who he spends his time with.
Good fucking heavens… I need to just buy a toy, at least, then I won’t be swayed by Aaron’s handsome face and tempting words.
My doorbell rings, making me jump so violently I nearly spill my wine.
It can’t be.
Deep down I know it is. I told the concierge to let Aaron up if he decided to come in. Granted, I didn’t know if he truly was going to follow me especially after telling me no, but the look of desire on his face—you never know, especially with men. I set my glass down and move to the front door, opening it to see him standing there.
“I’m not here to get you out of my system.”
“Then why are you here?” I clutch the door frame.
