Page 32 of Over & Out

Chris hustles after me, pulling the stick out of my hand and deftly wiping the dripping end on her thigh before hanging it on the hook on the side of the instrument. “You could have told me you were awake.”

“And take away baby’s favorite toy?” I barely manage to get that one out. I’m still distracted by the move she just made, which should not have been as sexy as it was. Something about the stick and her leg and the sheen of water still glossing up her inner thigh.

The flush comes back to her cheeks.

I pull my bottom lip between my teeth, leaning in. “Raspberry,” I say.

“What?”

“Nothing. We’re late, aren’t we?” I stretch like I’m bored rather than deeply invested in watching her every move.

“No, we’re not late.” Chris examines my face like I’m hiding state secrets. “What’s raspberry?”

“My favorite fruit.”

Though she’s kind of strawberry-hued now. Maybe that’s my favorite.

“That’s a berry, not a—ugh. Never mind.”

Her chin’s tilted up to glare at me, and I can’t resist leaning over to make her do it more. She’s so responsive. I bet if I touched her in some sensitive—fuck, there goesmy brain again. “What are you,” I ask to get my mind out of the gutter, “five four? Four five?”

“Height jokes,” she scoffs. “How original. What are you? Sixbore?”

I inch closer, just to see what she’ll do. “Good one.” I lower my voice. “Six three.”

She says nothing, but cranes her neck up to the top of my head, as if measuring for herself. Then she drops her eyes again. She takes a step back, looking embarrassed. It’s like she remembered I’m not just some everyday guy she’s arguing with. In this moment, I wish I were.

Doesn’t mean I won’t give her shit for it.

“Yes, bangles, it’s really me. You want me to sign something? I think Tru keeps headshots in the office.”

Chris’s mouth drops, that full bottom lip wide and glossy.

I’ve never wanted to taste anything more.

The thought, though, is enough to slap me in the face. I take a step back, my blood rushing in my ears.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I don’t mix with my employees. I saw enough of that growing up to see just how ugly it can get. But Chris is the first person in a long time to seriously tempt me into changing my mind about that. If I were interested in that shit right now, which I’m not.

She’s certainly not either. She hates my guts, which is perfect.

Chris snaps her pretty mouth shut, smiling. “Actually, yes, I’d love some headshots.”

She spins and heads down the hallway, surprisingme. A moment later, she’s back with a photo and a marker.

I narrow my eyes. “You seriously want me to sign that?” This is not her style at all.

“Yes, please.” She hands me the photo and the marker. “Don’t personalize it.”

I hesitate. But I go back to the island, signing it with a slash of black at the bottom, too curious about what she’s planning to do to refuse.

She takes it back from me a moment later, smiling happily. Too happily.

“You going to sell that on eBay?”

“Good idea! Once I’m done with it.”

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