Page 52 of Fame and Obsession

Stealing a fry from her plate, I wave my hand, thoroughly enjoying the verbal volleyball. “Semantics.”

Phoebe folds her arms on the table. “You don’t give up, do you?”

“Not when there’s something I want.”

“What if it doesn’t want you?” She tries to be assertive, but her voice softens.

“Then it’s wrong.” Damn this woman. Why can’t she accept the professional gift and get over it? I’d practically sold my soul to Helena to get her the job.

We sit in silence until she curses under her breath and slams her palm onto the table. “Just admit you had me called into Ellison’s office.” She doesn’t wait for an answer. “You arranged this publicity escort shit!”

I just smile. “I like to cover all my bases.”

“Your stalking is out of control, Julian.”

Un-fucking-believable. I hand her a multi-million-dollar contract, and she insults me.

“I can be a real shit when I don’t get when I want, Phoebe.” It’s my turn to glare. “So either you play my game, or I’ll keep showing up at your office and arranging these little meetings.”

Before she can launch into a tirade, her phone chimes on the table and distracted her.

Cursing, I snatch the phone off the table before she has a chance. Hitting the message icon, I read the incoming text out loud. “Your friend, Rosa, wants to know where you are. Somebody named Ass Cactus has been looking for you for over an hour. She says to come back before he explodes.”

Who the hell is Ass Cactus?

“Shit!” She looks frantically around the busy restaurant. Not finding what she’s looking for, she pulls a couple of bills out of her purse and tucks them under her plate. “I’m leaving,” she announces. “I’ve got an ass-chewing to attend, thanks to you.”

As soon as she stands, I grab both her hands. “Agree to my terms, and I won’t bother you at work again.”

Grunting in disgust, she jerks away from me and walks briskly out of the cheap diner she’d taken me to.

I would’ve preferred to dine with her somewhere dark and intimate, but I didn’t dare complain. If she had her way, I’d probably be standing by a hot dog stand with a bag of chips and a Yoo-hoo.

Following after her, I catch her arm just as she steps outside and turn her to face me. “Why are you so against this?”

“Why is it so important to you?”

“Why do you always answer a question with a question?”

“Why do you?”

“Why do I want to kiss you?” I shoot back. She starts to argue, but I shut her down. “And why do I know you want me to kiss you?”

“You’re wrong,” she says, averting her eyes.

Liar.

“Am I?” I close the distance between us. Wrapping an arm around her waist, I settle a hand at the small of her back. A soft moan escapes before she can rein it in. “That’s what I thought.” I indulge my fingers in a quick dip into the base of her spine. “Your body contradicts everything that comes out of that beautiful mouth, princess.”

“I...” She trembles, making me groan.

Fisting her long hair, I tug her head back slightly. Her hands clench by her side. With her lips inches away from mine, I’m determined to break this hold she has on her resistance.

“Phoebe,” I command, in a low tone, “put your hands on me.”

She blinks at me. “In the middle of the street? We’ll get arrested.”

Her shock makes me chuckle. “Well, I wasn’t referring to that, but I’m glad you’re thinking ahead.” Without waiting, I uncurled her curled fingers with my free hand and drape them around my neck.

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