Page 27 of Pride & Precedents

Mila huffs and turns back to the files.

"Ms. Sanchez, we're still talking."

She whirls around to face me, rage coming off her in waves.

"You're nottalking. You'reyellingat me. Laying down the law like you always do with no consideration for the other person in the conversation. This isn't the courtroom, Mr. Park."

This conversation is going worse than the last time. It's time to switch tactics.

"You're right," I admit. "This isn't the courtroom, and you should have a say."

She looks so surprised by my agreement, I wonder if I've really been "playing nice" at all.

"Well…" she starts hesitantly, "quit buying me coffees and snacks and stuff. You never did that before and it's weirding me out."

Ouch.

"OK…"

"And if I end the conversation to get back to work, stop pushing me to keep talking. I'm allowed to feel a little weird about what happened before things get back to normal."

"OK. I was just trying to—"

"I know what you were trying to do, but be real. You can't make out with me on Friday, call things off on Monday, and expect everything to be back to normal on Tuesday."

"Ms. Sanchez, I didn't call things off. Things were neveron."

She steps towards me, poking an angry finger into my chest.

"Oh no? So making out with me, feeling me up, and then letting me take your car home meant nothing to you?"

"I didn't say—"

"Or are you blaming it on the alcohol?"

"Ididhave quite a lot of—"

She lets out an unladylike snort and resumes her angry filing.

"Got it. The only way you can make out with the chubby paralegal is when you're blackout drunk."

The blood in my veins goes ice cold. I step into her personal space; close enough for her to feel my breath against her lips.

"I said I would hear you out. I didnotsay I would let you talk shit about me or yourself."

Camila remains silent, sensing the danger in my voice.

"I had a lot of drinks that night, sure, but I think what just happened in my office proves I'm attracted to you with or without the alcohol."

The tempo of her breath picks up, pushing her breasts into my chest. At the feel of her against me, all sense flies from my head.

"The alcohol may have made me forget the rules, but it had nothing to do with why I kissed you that night."

Her pupils are big as saucers, and laser focused on my mouth.

"Oh? So why did you kiss me?"

"I—"

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