Many emotions flutter through her honey-colored eyes before landing on skepticism. “So that’s it? You’re going to bulldoze through all the formalities and, what? Demand I date you? Because that sure as hell wasn’t asking.”
My lips twitch, but I force myself to stay on task. “Demanding opens up space for negotiation.”
She scoffs, but I see the fire in her eyes. The spark that ignites when we do what we do best. When we battle for dominance like we did the night I fucked her so deeply she stole my sanity.
“Say yes,” I push, leaning in closer, our breaths mingling.
“You know we can’t,” she offers weakly, but I came prepared for this.
I start to move slowly, giving her the time and space to push me off if she wants to. But her curious eyes let me move without disruption as I lean down and kiss that spot beneath her ear that drove her wild the night we met. “I told you I came prepared to negotiate.”
She sighs softly. “I’m pretty sure this isn’t standard practice, Stonehaven.”
I move up and kiss her temple, inhaling deeply as the rattling in my brain seems to settle at her nearness. “We can keep it a secret. Only go out to places we won’t be seen, so nobody would have to know.” I feel her stiffen beneath me and move back slightly to read her face. Hurt mars her expression momentarily, but I act quickly to wipe it away. “Let me be very clear here: I have no issue with sending out a companywide email, along with a press statement, informing everyone that we are exclusively dating. You are not and will never be my dirty little secret. We play by your rules here, Luisa. Public or private, it’s all the same to me as long as you say yes.”
She softens slightly at my words but still attempts to shake her head. “It’s just… I—I can’t. I’ll be crucified in the—”
“Quickly. Answer me this. If public scrutiny weren’t an issue. If we were just two people who met at the bar and shared a life-altering night. Followed by months of explosive chemistry with a dash of violence—on your end, of course—would youwantto date me?”
I might be ashamed of the pleading tone my voice has taken at a later time, but right now my eyes are locked on Luisa’s, begging her to answer me honestly and put me out of my misery.
I see it then.
Her shoulders sag and her eyes look tortured. They start to water, but she quickly tries to bat them dry. A rogue tear runs down her cheek as she opens her mouth to answer, but nothing comes out.
My thumb catches the tear, wiping it away as I rest my forehead against hers. “Don’t worry, Angel. You don’t have to say anything. I already have my answer.”
We stay like that, synchronized breaths having the conversation our voices can’t. She’s the first to pull away, and I let her.
I brace for it. The moment where she builds back her walls right before my eyes.
But it doesn’t come.
Instead, she places her hand on my cheek, and I fight the urge to nuzzle into her palm.
She seems to contemplate what to do next, her eyes searching mine—for what, I’m not sure.
She must find it, because in the next moment, she lifts up on her toes and softly brings her lips to mine.
I don’t hesitate. I slide my hand behind the base of her neck and angle her up to me. The kiss is slow and unrushed. I’m about to demand more when my body stills, seeming to have realized what this was before my brain could.
A goodbye kiss.
Luisa’s lips leave mine as she takes a step back, leaving her hand on my cheek for a moment before I lose that too.
Don’t say it. Please don’t say it.
“I’m so sorry, Nick.”
She places a hand over her lips before she turns away, gathers her purse, and walks out the door.
I wait one minute—a solid sixty seconds—before I bend down and send all the contents of my desk toppling to the ground with a roar.
Eyes unfocused, I take in the sight of contracts, electronics, and pens falling haphazardly around me.
I pant as I try to reel in the scorching pain in the middle of my chest. The space where Luisa’s been residing, against my better judgment.
I bet on myself, and I lost.
