Page 110 of Strum Me

“Okay, do you know what you’re going to write yet?”

“You can read it when I’m done before I send it off.”

“Emily.”

I force myself to meet his gaze in response, raising an eyebrow.

“Is everything okay?”

“Just dandy.” I look away, knowing I’ll be unable to keep the loathing out of my voice if I have to keep my eyes locked on his.

“You sure?” he asks again.

“Uh-huh.” Each word is like torture.

“Because you don’t sound so happy.” He reaches out to touch me and I move out of reach, out of patience.

“You know what, Silas, you blackmail me into coming to work for you. Fine. I will be as professional as can be. You can count on me doing my job and doing it well. But let me remind you that on a personal level, I am here under duress.”

“You could be a little more friendly,” he says, shrugging like a sulky child.

“That’s not part of our deal. Which I’ve upheld to the letter otherwise.”

“Come on, don’t be like that, Emily.”

“Like what?”

“Like this—like I’m evil.”

“You find a better word for it you let me know.” I pick up my bag and head to the exit. “I’m leaving.”

“Hey, we’re still here,” he says, grabbing my arm, his voice tense.

“Unless you want me to write about your groupies, then my job here for tonight is done!”

I pull my arm out of his grip and push myself out the door.

“Emily!”

I stop in my tracks, not turning around to look at him.

“You could make this easier on yourself, you know.”

“How?”

He moves up behind me, pressing his hot, sweaty body against my back. My lip can’t help but curl up into a sneer. He leans over and whispers into my ear.

“You could stop fighting this. I know you want me. Why do you keep pretending you don’t? Haven’t we always been meant for each other? Ever since we were teenagers? Because I know I want you.” His breath clings to me like sticky tar.

I try to shrug him away. But he moves closer, a finger tracing down my arm. There’s acid in my throat.

“No.”

“Em, come on. We have a kid together!”

“Silas, I said no. And trust me. I mean it.”

I feel him back off, the cold air whooshing in between our bodies, filling me with relief.