Page 67 (1/2)

Funny,to er has dulled a bit

When the next delivery is announced, I’asp to see Da and carrying a single red rose There is both aht the faes from hi like that for too long when he clears his throat "Can I cohter in his voice, I would have slammed the door in his face But his voice was flat and respectful and despite the whiifts, it is clear that he knows enuine

"For a bit," I say "I have work to do"

I step aside, and he eases in, his ar mine as he does so I feel that frisson of awareness that I associate with Damien and draw in a tiny little breath If he hears me, he doesn’t show it He just strides into , then hands me the rose "I’s parted, my hands on my hips, totally exasperated "You are a brilliant man, Daet it through your head that this kind of thing pisses --to ask Lisa to seekto lie toher credentials"

"I have checked her credentials," he says "It’s just been a while"

"You knohat I mean"

"I do," he admits He steps toward me and the air between us thickens

I step back "Damoing to ignore her advice? Cut her off?"

"No She’s my friend Despite you," I add "Not because of you And don’t you dare argue that what you dideach other"

"I know the difference," he says seriously "But I have a blind spot where you’re concerned, Nikki"

"Aw, really? That’s so romantic" I cross my arms over my chest "Get over it"

He chuckles, then crosses the space between us before I can back away again His arm is around ainst hith of his erection, and I want to be annoyed that he’s hard despite the fact that I’h Because I’ainst hione damp the moment he stepped into my office "You can fuck me," I say breathily "But I’ll still be mad at you"

He closes his irl "Te," he says Then he releasesbag "For you"

I take it warily, then peek inside It’s full of tissue paper, which I pull out to reveal a box shaped like a doghouse I glance at hi and open it Inside are a dozen sugar cookies baked in the shape of dog bones Each has I’

"Okay," I say with a grin "You’re officially out of the doghouse Thank you for the cookies," I add "And don’t do it again"

"I’ll do my best," he says "But it’s safer not to h This is one of the foibles of being in a relationship with a man like Damien Stark But the more important fact is that asabout this stuff It’s light in the shadows It’s glue on the bubble Because the er we can hold back the world

"Thanks for coht"