Page 39 of Long Shot

I slash a hand through the air. “No more lies. You’re busted. Sid confessed everything.”

“Oh.” She says the word on a soft exhalation. “Damn.”

“Yeah. Damn.”

She meets my eyes. “It was my doing. Don’t be angry at Sid. He’s trying his best.”

Her defense of Sid and acceptance of responsibility take me aback. For a few seconds. “How the hell . . . what were you thinking . . . why?”

Her eyes flash and she presses her lips together. “I could see how he was struggling. And the food . . . well, you know how I felt about the food.”

Oh, yeah. I do. Even now she doesn’t bother to hide her distaste.

“Look, it’s not like I was taking cash out of the register or skimming credit card numbers from the customers, for the love of Godfrey. We weren’t hurting anything by doing what we did. In fact . . .” She juts her chin at me. “Evenyouhave to admit guests liked the food.”

“That’s not the point.”

“Then what the hellisthe point?” She sits forward, her cheeks now flushed peach, eyes sparkling. “You wanted to make your food better. I was trying to help. It didn’t interfere with my waitressing, if that’s what you’re worried about.”

I frown. “I never thought that.”

“Then what are you so pissed off about? Oh wait, I know. Because this wasn’t your idea. Because you weren’t in control.”

My head jerks back.

“Well, I’m sorry I went behind your back. I know it wasn’t honest. I didn’t mean to cause problems. Just don’t . . . I don’t want Sid to be in trouble about this, because it was my doing.” She jumps to her feet. “I’ll get my things and leave.”

“No!” I push up, too, then lay my hands on the desk, leaning forward. “No. Sit down.”

She doesn’t move for a few seconds, holding my gaze with her own fierce stare.

Jesus. Hot need punches my lower belly. I’m turned on. She’s stunning with her passion and confidence and honesty. Then she turns and starts to walk away.

No fucking way.

I vault over the desk and grab her arm, spinning her around.

She gasps, eyes big. My gaze drops to her mouth . . . her full lips shiny and parted . . . fuck, I want to taste her and feel those lips. Tension shimmers around us, the temperature in the office rising several lustful degrees. Her breasts lift and fall with her quick respirations and I try not to look there but damn, it’s hard not to, and I want to pull her closer so I can feel those sweet, soft tits pressed against me.

“Let me go.” Her voice comes out low and husky.

I’m losing my goddamn mind. This is a sexual harassment suit waiting to happen. But for some reason I don’t fucking care. “You’re not leaving.”

Our eyes meet again and the air around us crackles. “Why?” she demands. “You’re obviously angry. I lied to you. That’s grounds for termination.” She glares. “You know you want to fire me.”

I nearly groan. “You have no idea what I want to do to you.”

Her eyes widen again. Tension arcs between us. My muscles bunch and jump, my heart thudding. When her lips part again, I know . . . shedoesknow what I want to do to her. And she wants it, too.

Drawn to her like a magnet, I bend my head. I breathe in that scent I now know, spiced vanilla and pear. Heat pulses through my veins.

I can’t screw this up.

“Shit.” I relax my grip, but then probably make things worse by reaching for her other arm. Holding her like that, my grip gentler, I stare down into her face. “You make me crazy, Reese.”

Her eyelashes flutter and her pulse flickers at her throat. Her face now wears a glowing flush of color and her eyelids drop to half-mast. “I know.”

I choke on a laugh, and lower my forehead to touch hers. “Sometimes I think youtryto make me crazy.”

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