“Sorry,” I say, my voice quaking. “I was told you were alone.”
“What I said was you could go in!” Ed calls from his desk.
I’m about to glare at him, but Duke speaks, making me jump.
“What do you want, Grace?” the Iceman asks.
I’m tempted to turn and run, but after my conversation with Katarina, I have to be prepared to fight, even if it’s with Duke. I hold his gaze. “I was hoping to tick a few things off my list.”
“Get the fuck out,” he growls.
The air gets sucked out of the room in an instant. I didn’t expect such venom.
Calder stands immediately and helps Rory out of his chair. “I think he means us,” he says, noticing my stricken expression.
My knuckle turns white as I grip the door tighter, waiting for Duke to correct him. When he doesn’t, I dare to step deeper into the room.
“I am sorry,” I say to Duke’s brothers. “But this is urgent.” I need to know if I can put things right between us.
“No need to apologize,” Rory says. “I hope that list of yours includes putting Duke in a better mood.”
“I hope so too,” I say in a low voice. I try to return Rory’s smile, but it’s impossible when I register his injuries. “I heard about your accident, but they said it was just a little bump. Are you OK?”
“A few cuts and bruises, that’s all,” he says, patting my hand.
“Then you can walk faster,” Duke orders from behind his desk.
When the door closes, Duke doesn’t move so I stay where I am too. I go to put a hand on my hip, then change my mind and settle for clasping both in front of me.
Duke’s jaw tics. “Explain.”
“My list,” I croak out. Either he’s tormenting me or I’m about to face my greatest humiliation. “I want to work on it.”
Duke sits back in his chair. He’s wearing a white buttondown and the open collar reveals taught muscles pulling at his neck. “You think you can walk in here and expect me to fulfill your every fantasy?”
I bite my lip. “That was kind of the idea, yes.”
“Well, I hate to disappoint you, Grace, but I have no intention of helping you with your list.”
The jolt of pain is like a thousand volts zapping through my veins. I blink away hot tears. “Duke–”
“Lock the door, Angel.”
My heart stutters. “But you just said…”
“Do you trust me?”
His eyes bore into mine. It’s not a simple question, not after everything we’ve been through these past weeks, but the answer falls easily from my lips. “Yes.”
“Then do as you’re told,” he replies too damn coolly. “We’re not starting with your list. We’re starting with mine. Now lock the door.”
My heart threatens to beat out of my chest. Duke still wants me. And I want to give him anything he asks. He’s suffered enough, but goddamn it, he scared the shit out of me and I want to kill him. Maybe later.
I fumble with the locking mechanism then wipe my clammy palms on my skirt as I face him again.
“Come here.”
I take a step, then another. I almost stumble when he swipes his arm across his desk to clear it. Papers and a whiskey glass crash to the floor. My insides twist and I’m panting, but so is he. We’re almost within touching distance and at least one of us is going to explode with the tension growing between us.
