Page 36 of Peaches

“I think we should set some ground rules,” I find myself stating, still a little breathless and dazed in the head from the lust rushing through me.

What did I just say?

Did that really just come out of me?

He looks at me confused.

And let’s be honest, I’m a little confused here myself. I need boundaries but I’m craving something entirely different. Sinfully fulfilling in a way boundaries will never satisfy.

“If we’re going to be living together, and I mean after all, living together when we are practically strangers…”

“Strangers don’t touch each other like…”

“You know what I mean!” I shout, cutting him off and watching as his disdain for what I’m saying grows. “If we are going to do this,barelyknowing one another,” I pause and wait, letting that statement sink in. “And especially because you are kind of my boss…”

“Kinda?”

I roll my eyes at his audacity. Yes, he doesn’t reside over me every day in an office and make me grab his coffee and run stupid errands. But he is my publisher. So, my boss he is if I want my book to be printed.

“We need to have boundaries.”

He crosses his arms over his chest and studies me. I look down, stupidly, and take in his huge package still looking painfully erect and on full display. He makes no attempt to hide it, and I can’t say I blame him. With something as impressive as that, and I haven’t even seen it outside of his clothes, I wouldn’t either.

“Boundaries, like you not staring at my dick while it’s hard and still wishing it was inside you?”

Sweet Lord have mercy!

My eyes shoot up and I shake my head. “Yes, like,exactlylike that!” I walk over to the bed and grab my other suitcase. I need a damn cold shower and to put some space between the two of us. The sooner the better.

“So, I guess that means I can’t watch you, either?” I look up at him startled and see a smile spread across his face. “Not like that, Peaches,” he says, glancing at the emerald green chair and making me blush. “I mean dressing, undressing, showering, that kind of thing. No walking in on one another.”

“Exactly. Locked doors at all times. And space,” I say, taking a step towards the bathroom and finally feeling like I can breathe again. “Lots of space. I’ll sleep in the bed, and you can have - the couch.”

“But it’s my families’ house,” I still, mid-step towards the bathroom and look up at him. “The bed’s big enough for two people. What? Are you afraid I’m going to ravage you and take advantage in the middle of the night?”

Ravage?

Cue the thoughts about wolf sex again. Heaven and hell have no power like the control Brettly Beckett is suddenly having over my naughty, sinful thoughts.

Afraid. Not hardly. More like attempting to restrain myself from doing the exact same.

“The couch, Brettly,” I sass, which gets him to frown.

“Fine! But I’m a night owl and I don’t want to hear any bitching when I’m still up working at two a.m.”

“Okay by me,” I reply as I finally make my way to the entrance of the bathroom. “I work best at night, too. A habit I don’t intend to break, even for you.” I turn to retreat, happy to finally be gaining the distance I need to clear my head.

“Hey, Peaches,” he calls out, and I know I shouldn’t respond. I know I shouldn’t turn around. But I do. Like the love-struck Juliet I was trying so hard not to be,I do. “Just for the record, I give this sleeping arrangement a week, two tops, and you’ll be begging me to climb in bed with you.”

Like a little girl who was just called out in front of her playground crush, I turn and glare at him as hard as I can, hopeful he feels just how much I absolutely hate him for making that comment.

“I don’t beg, Brett. Just like I don’t take orders. And just so we’re clear, I will never, ever, be calling you, Sir!”

Lies! All lies!

I turn again quickly to leave and hear his laugh, low, sexy, tempting me to come back and finish what we started. A week? God if only I can really last that long. Two would be like running a foreplay marathon.

“You’ll beg!” I hear him shout as I slam the door. He quickly continues, and I hear his muffled voice assault me through the wood as my back braces against it. “On your knees after you take every damn order I give you. And trust me, you’ll enjoy every appetizing second of it. I can promise you that, Peaches!”

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