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I lean back in my chair and absorb the way she conjures such do about her Sheand sexy, and every godda that I want She has no idea what she’s started here today I suspect she thinks I’ll find what she’s said cute, and that

I’ll patiently wait for her like she’s told me that I must do

Aria doesn’t know everything there is to know about me

Yet

Aria

Wednesday’s conversation with Liam remains heavy on my mind on Thursday, while I sit behind my desk in my office across from Jackson’s I tease Liam, and I’m not sure why I do it Maybe it’s because I can I like that I hold power over a man like Liam It’s addictive It’s sinful It makes me feel powerful

Through the glass walls ofhis brows draw together tight He’s not wearing his suit jacket and his cuffs are rolled up, which tellsflushed He’s not happy, thatas we get closer to the weekend I understand why—he doesn’t wantto happen with Liam Hell, it’s the only reason Because I care for Jackson Deeply And I won’t hurt hi with the man who Jackson hates so much

I glance at the time on my computer monitor and see that it’s nearly noon I can’t leave today with Jackson being so hten his e corner office wondering if I can get hirab us soainst the doorframe

He doesn’t even look up, his voice tight, surly “Sure”

“Thai?” It’s his favorite

“Sure”

“Pad Thai?”

“Sure”

The third “sure” in a few seconds can’t be good I hate this Every part of it I hate howforward to this weekend Because I hate what it’s doing to Jackson “You’re not stillthe door behindthis conversation all week but I need Jackson to be okay with all this “My loyalty is to you, and alill be to you”

Jackson heaves a long sigh and glances up, his storreen eyes narrowed, mouth set into a firm line “It’s impossible for me to be mad at you, Aria, and you know this I’m concerned for you”