I leaned back against the cool cinderblock wall, as far as I could get from him on the small landing. “Just that she’s going to call my boss and get me fired.”
“Shit.” With a sigh, he leaned against the opposite wall, directly across from me.
“Yeah.” I swallowed roughly, trying to quell my worry.
“Well, it’s not like you enjoy your job, anyway,” Bash’s tone was amused and a quiet chuckle escaped his lips. “Writing about bubble bath and Beyoncé isn’t really your style. No huge loss.”
I lifted incredulous eyes to him. “You think this isfunny? Losing my job and only source of income islaughableto you?”
“Lux, I was kidding.” He cracked a smile. “You don’t have to worry about your job. Cara has no power. She might huff and puff and blow a whole lot of smoke up your boss’ ass, but at the end of the day nothing will come of it. She’s a pretty face, nothing more.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah.” He grinned, taking a step in my direction and closing some of the gap between us. “But if you want, I can call Jeanine and smooth whatever feathers Cara manages to ruffle.”
“Really?” I asked, swallowing nervously as I watched him move closer.
“Of course.” His smile was warm as he took one final step and entered my space fully. I felt my mouth go dry when he leaned down so our faces were at eye level. “For a price,” he whispered against my lips.
I let out an embarrassing nervous squeak and tried to shrink back against the wall, but there was nowhere to go.
“Nervous, Freckles?” he asked, his voice amused. “Whatever for? You haven’t even heard the price yet. And from what I remember of last night — I think you might enjoy my price quite a bit.”
Breathe. Just breathe. Ignore everything he just said. Don’t think about how much you woulddefinitelyenjoy any price he set for you. Don’t drool on him — that would be bad. And do not, under any circumstances, let him kiss you.
“I’m not nervous,” I lied, placing both palms against his chest and pushing him slightly out of my space. “You should be, though. I’m pretty sure this is sexual harassment.” My small grin of triumph dissipated as soon as he leaned against my hands, his breath once again ghosting across my lips and sending shivers down my spine.
“Freckles, you can sexually harass me any time you want.”
“I hate you, remember?” I smiled at him caustically, not realizing my poor word choice until I saw his eyes go liquid with heat — there was no doubt he recalled yesterday evening, the last time I’d said those words to him.
Shit. Seeing those memories in his gaze, I felt my own control slipping away.
“Oh, I remember,” he whispered. His eyes watched my mouth as he leaned forward, his pupils dilating when my tongue darted out to wet my parched lips. He came ever closer, and I waged an internal war. I wanted his kiss,neededit, more than my next breath — but that didn’t mean I could have it.
I should’ve moved away, skirted around him, darted for the door.
Instead, I froze and simply watched as his lips came toward mine. Our mouths were mere millimeters apart when a knock sounded on the metal stairwell door, snapping me out of my lustful haze. We sprang apart just as the entry swung open.
Angela popped her head inside. “Sebastian, we need your opinion on the final proofs. We’re about to send off the first five decades to the publication team for review.”
“Okay, be right there,” Bash called. Angela disappeared back into the office, the door swinging shut behind her with a resounding boom. He turned his head back to meet my eyes, an amused smirk on his face.
“Saved by the bell,” he murmured, his eyes still burning. “Any chance you want to pick this up at my place after work?”
I crossed my arms over my chest and tried to get my breathing under control. “Absolutely not.”
He smirked. “Right. ‘Cause you hate me.”
“Right.” I nodded sharply.
“That’s fine,Freckles. You’re just making this more fun.” He grinned. “See, I’ve got a new strategy.”
I didn’t dare ask what he was talking about, but steeled myself when he stepped close once more and backed me up against the wall with his frame. He pressed a soft kiss against my lips, then whispered a string of words that made me curse myself for my own inability to walk away.
“You might think you’re the villain in my story, Lux, but what you don’t seem to realize is thatI don’t care. Princess or Evil Queen, I want you standing by my side when the tale comes to an end. So I’m not walking away — I’m going to wear you down, until you’re ready — no, until you’redying —to tell me what happened back then.” Another kiss landed on my lips, and I fought off a tremble of desire. “And Freckles?”
My eyes flickered up to meet his searing gaze.