Page 66 of Gloves Off

“I’m not going home.”

My eyebrows pull down. “You’re going to worknow?”

“Don’t worry about it.” She gives me a pretty smile and a wink. “Don’t wait up.”

I don’t know whether it’s the unsettling realization that I sleep better when she’s tucked against me, or the way she’s looking at me like she can’t stand me, or maybe it’s that I can’t stop thinking about fucking her in the position I woke up in this morning.

Or maybe I’m angry at myself for saying she didn’t turn me on when she did.

There are players and staff everywhere, waiting for their own rides. For whatever reason, challenge and determination fire through me.

“Give your husband a kiss goodbye,” I call in front of everyone. “Hellfire.”

Her nostrils flare.

I’m thinking about those little scraps of lace barely covering her, and how fucking delectable her body is. How my body responds to hers with sharp, powerful arousal.

My heart’s in my throat, beating hard, as she stares at me.

“I’ll see you in a couple hours,darling.” A brittle smile forms on her mouth but her eyes are pure rage. “Surely you can wait that long.”

“I can’t.” I set my bag down, straightening up to my full height. “I’m going to miss my wife way too much.”

This is for teasing me with that lingerie,my eyes say.Two can play at this game.

I fucking hate you,her eyes say right back.

Fire burns in her eyes and I feel like smiling. She starts walking toward me with slow, steady steps, and my watch goes off before I silence it.

“Come on, Hellfire. Show me how much you love me.”

She starts to smile, that furious glint still in her gaze, and my pulse stutters.

“You sure about this?” she asks quietly. “You sure you want to start this?”

“Youstarted this.” From the outside, it looks like we’re having an intimate conversation. “You said I was a terrible kisser.”

“You are.”

“Worried you’re going to enjoy it like you did at the team dinner?”

She laughs, delicate and amused. “With you? Never.”

“I think you’re worried you’ll like it too much.” With my mouth an inch from her ear, I lower my voice. “I remember how you kissed me back. I think you’re worried you’ll get turned on.”

“I’m worried all your fake teeth will fall out.” She winces. “That would be so humiliating for you.”

What a little chicken. “I’m willing to take that risk.”

“Volkov, this is sad.” Her eyes lift to mine with mock sympathy. “This isn’t going to work, and then you’re going to feel bad about yourself.”

“Keep stalling, Doctor.”

I don’t know why it’s so important that we kiss. I don’t know why I need to win this round so badly. I’m competitive, but not like this.

Never like this. She brings out the worst in me.

“All right.” She flattens a hand to my chest, running her thumb back and forth over the fabric of my T-shirt. My pulse skips. “Don’t freeze up on me again, though.”

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