Then I burst out laughing.“Oh my God.Are you trying tobondwith me right now?Like, a real human being?”
He scowls at me.
I laugh harder.
“Aww, that’s so sweet, boss.But please don’t force yourself,” I say, grinning.“I accept you exactly as you are.Grumpy human-hater and all.We don’t need to bond.Our relationship is clear: you tell me what to do, and I deliver.You don’t hate me or have any malicious intentions toward me, and that’s all that matters to me.”
He exhales, shoulders visibly relaxing, like the idea of ‘bonding’ with me had been some unbearable weight.“You alright, Raya.You alright.”
Still snickering, I resume stretching.“Cora put you up to it, didn’t she?”
He shrugs.“She likes you.”
“And I like her.She’s the auntie I never had.But I prefer people exactly as they are.”I thrust my hips into a bridge hold.“All you have to do is feed me good food and I’m happy.”
“Andit’s about that time.”He shoves to his feet and rounds the desk, heading for the door.“I’ll go grab you some lunch.”
“My tummy appreciates you!”I call after him as he disappears through the door.
Sliding into a wide-legged stretch, chest to the floor, arms outstretched, I creep my fingers toward my phone.Unlock it and pull up my text thread with Gio.While my muscles hum from the deep stretch, I tap the mic button and record a voice note:
“Hey.So, thanks to my glaring lack of dating experience, it’s taken me a minute to realize what’s happening.You’re ghosting me, right?Is that what this is?Which, follow-up question…does that make you a ‘fuckboy,’ as the Americans say?Or is that only if you actually fucked and then ghosted?
“Anyway.If you’re avoiding me because of the kiss, there’s really no need.I assure you, I’m not doodling your name on my vision board or daydreaming about our future children.I just miss my tennis partner, okay?So stop hiding and come whack balls with me this evening.”
As I send off the voice note,hisvoice fills the room, cool and sharp.“Find a new tennis partner.Gio’s busy.”
Carefully, I come out of my stretch and twist around.
Stefano is leaning against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, looking like he owns the damn air.Just seeing him hits like a warm, caressing, velvet wave.My heart is such a pathetic simp.For that face, that body that wears the hell out of a suit, for those eyes that stare with purpose, clawing at my barriers, trying to pry me apart.
Ugh.I need help.“Oh look, he lives!”
“Don’t tell me you missedme, too,” he deadpans.
“Life gets dull when the devil naps for too long,” I return.“We all need a little torment now and then to stay sharp.”
He doesn’t flinch, expression unreadable.“Where’s my brother?”
“Fetching me lunch.”I stretch my arms over my head, letting my blouse ride up just enough to tease.“You should take notes.That’s how he keeps me happy.”
“I have zero interest in your happiness.”His gaze roves over me, lingering on the sliver of exposed skin at my waist.“I have zero interest in youat all, larvae.”
“Ahhh.Nowmy day feels complete.”I grin.“Thank you for showing up and doing your job today, Satan.”
One corner of his mouth twitches.Barely.A crack in the mask.“Tell Lo to call me.”He nods toward the desk.“He left his phone.”
Before I can respond, he turns and leaves.
A few minutes later, I’ve just settled back at my workspace when the air changes again.Hot and electric.
That velvety, caressing energy coasts down my spine.
He’s back.
Without looking up, I mutter, “Yes, Lucifer?”
Footsteps move closer.Closer.
