Page 23 of All Your Firsts

“Oh, but I think you do. What’s with the comment earlier?”

“It was more of an observation. She left quick and without a smile on her face.”

“And what does that mean?”

“No clue.”

“I don’t have any problems.”

“Okay.”

“I’m fucking serious.”

“Okay.”

“Since we’re here, let’s discuss yesterday. We aren’t making any deals. You will come to work, and you will leave, and there will be no favors from any of the guys.”

“The favors between me and someone else don’t concern you.”

Vic pushes his weight against me, making me take a step back, the water not helping me stand tall and unwavering as I need.

“Everything you do concerns me. So just be good and stay out of my fucking way, for the love of God.”

Stay out of his way? When have I been in his way?

His eyes go wide as I move into his space because he’s now pissed me off.

As our bodies press together, my breasts brush against his chest, causing him to draw in a sudden breath and his jaw to tense as his eyes focus on our connection.

“Seems that you’re the one in my way right now.”

“Don’t fucking start something you can’t finish, Princess.”

“Who says I can’t finish?”

“Me.”

“You don’t know me at all.”

“I know you better than you think.” He grabs my chin between his thumb and forefinger, giving it a tight squeeze. “I will tarnish your little crown of rainbows and butterflies and send you back to Gage before you know what to do with yourself.”

My throat goes dry and itches with a need to swallow, but I remain still.

What the hell did he just say?

I stand there, unable to move, as Vic’s thumb glides across my parted lips. As his thumb brushes against my skin, I can feel the softness with a hint of calluses, sending a tingling sensation through my body. And then the damn flutters start.

I’d be tempted to run my tongue against my li, and even his finger, if I weren’t so shocked by his words.

“Don’t have anything to say now, do ya?”

Vic turns around without another word or backward glance.

I stay in the pool long after my fingers have pruned. When the sun has made its descent and the evening chill has set in.

I sit in the dark water and analyze what he said to where it makes no sense and all the sense.

Tarnish me how?

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