Page 21 of Pretty Obsessed

“Would you indulge me and take a few hours off?” I leaned closer, resting my elbow on the arm, putting my chin on my fist, eliminating much of the space between us.

His gaze traveled over my body again, finally saying it. “No woman today?”

“None. I’d prefer to keep this between us. Objections?” I asked.

“None at all. Can I ask why?”

“Because I want all of my attention on you.” I wanted all of me on him but, I was trying not to be too intense. Too obsessed.

He colored and the blush in his cheeks did unexplainable things to me. “This is much preferable.”

“Can I get you a drink, or will your friend bite my head off?”

“Noticed that, did you?” He sat further back, making himself comfortable. “Octavius isn’t good at being subtle.”

Good. Stay awhile, I thought to him, as if I could will it.

“What are you drinking?” I asked, picking up my mostly untouched glass of root beer to refresh.

“What are you drinking?” he asked, eyeing the glass.

“Root beer. Boring.”

“We can be boring together,” he said at a lower register.

I brought back the drinks and ignored the daggers the bartender shot out of his eyes the entire time.

“What did you do to piss off Octavius?” Emory said when I stood in front of him and presented the drink.

"He refused to tell me where you’d gone last night. I can only assume he’s protective.”

Emory rolled his eyes with a scoff. “More like he doesn’t approve. We’ve been friends a long time and he doesn’t think I should be making out with a rockstar let alone a straight one.”

I laughed, what more was there to do. “I can’t control what the press prints.”

“I guess you can’t. But you’ve never denied it.”

“Why would I bother combating rumors? Any of them. It’s not anyone’s business what my sexuality is.” I didn’t know where the words came from, but I felt them with conviction.

“Are you straight?”

“No.”

“I didn’t think so,” he said, and returned his focus to the drink in his hands.

“Why didn’t you think so?” I asked, quite sure he’d give me a brush off, but I had to ask.

“Because no one straight comes like that when they are kissing someone of the same sex.” He stared at me with his sexy gray eyes, speaking in his dark and sultry voice. He was the embodiment of the word sex written into human flesh. He brought the drink to his forehead and pressed it there. “I shouldn’t have said that out loud.”

“I’m pleased you did.” More honest than I’d ever expected, and it make me entirely more attracted to him.

“Why?”

“Because I like a person who thinks for themselves, and just because I’m not out doesn’t mean I can’t be bisexual.”

“I tried to tell him as much, but he wasn’t having any of it. He’s also got a thing against famous people. After working here for so long I’m sure he’s seen the worst of their behavior.” Emory lowered his glass, taking a sip. “Me kissing you so easily probably didn’t help his opinion.”

“Why would it hinder his opinion of me?” I asked.

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