Page 39 of Sticks & Serpents

She didn’t even flinch. Instead of taking a seat at the far end, away from me like I half-expected, she settled right next to my chair.

That was her first mistake.

I leaned into her space, casually tilting my head just enough to catch her scent—something sweet and familiar that wrapped around me like a vice. My knee brushed against hers, and I noticed the way she tried to suppress the shudder that rippled through her body. A little gasp escaped her lips before she locked down on it, but I’d seen it. The telltale sign that I still affected her.

“Nice to see you again,” I said, my voice low and smooth as silk. I let the words hang in the air between us, laced with challenge.

Holly’s eyes darted to the other committee members settling into their seats, pretending not to notice our dynamic. They didn’t know what was simmering beneath our polite façades, but I could feel it—the tension thick enough to slice through with a knife.

“Focus on the task at hand,” she shot back quietly, trying to reclaim some semblance of authority. Her fingers danced nervously on the edge of her notebook, but she was fighting a losing battle.

“Why do that when we have such an entertaining little dance going?” I leaned closer, watching her pulse quicken as I invaded her personal space further.

She straightened in her chair, shifting slightly away from me as if that would help put distance between our chaotic history and this new façade we were both trying to maintain. But we both knew better; neither of us could truly escape what lingered in our past.

And for every slight movement she made away from me, I found myself leaning closer until my shoulder grazed hers—an electric touch that sent jolts of familiarity coursing through me. The thrill was intoxicating; it was exactly where I wanted us both to be: close enough for me to remind her just how easily she could fall back into my orbit if she wasn’t careful.

The meeting kicked off with the committee head droning on about logistics for the charity hockey game. They outlined tasks and timelines, but I barely registered the words. My focus zeroed in on Holly, who sat next to me, pretending to take notes while I was busy watching her.

“... and we have a sponsor dinner coming up next week,” the committee head announced, breaking through my thoughts. “Attendance is mandatory. It’s a great opportunity to connect with our sponsors and showcase our commitment to this event.”

Holly shifted in her seat, her brow furrowing as she scribbled down notes. I leaned closer, smirking at the way she concentrated so hard, oblivious to everything around her. I couldn’t resist.

Reaching over, I snatched her pen from the table and held it up like a trophy.

She shot me a glare, eyes narrowing as she tried to snatch it back.

I kept it just out of reach, my fingers brushing against hers as she made another attempt. That moment felt electric—an involuntary spark igniting between us.

“Tell me to stop,” I murmured low enough that only she could hear, leaning in close enough that my breath ghosted against her skin.

Her gaze flickered for just a second, uncertainty swirling in those warm hazel eyes of hers. But no words came; instead, she hesitated—a moment stretched between us that felt impossibly charged.

My smirk deepened as I relished her silence. The thrill of pushing boundaries sent a rush through me.

A guy across the table cleared his throat loudly, breaking the spell hanging in the air between us. “You two good?” he asked with an edge of concern mixed with curiosity.

Holly pulled back abruptly, flustered. Her cheeks flushed crimson as she fumbled for composure.

“Fine,” she snapped, her voice clipped but revealing nothing more than embarrassment.

The energy shifted slightly; I could sense her trying to regain control after my little disruption. But deep down? I knew this was only the beginning.

That was the second mistake.

Holly didn’t say no. She didn’t push me away. Instead, she let me draw her in, and that told me everything I needed to know.

I watched her fumble for composure after my little stunt with her pen. The way her fingers shook gave her away, even if she tried to mask it behind a veneer of irritation. A smirk tugged at my lips as I leaned back, savoring the rush of power coursing through me.

She was letting me win.

“Everything all right over there?” I asked, injecting a casual tone into my voice while the rest of the committee continued to drone on about sponsorship details. It felt too easy—like catching fish in a barrel.

Holly shot me a glare that could’ve cut glass, but it lacked the bite I remembered from before. The fire flickering in her eyes spoke volumes; she was trying to hold onto her anger, but the underlying spark of attraction was unmistakable.

“Just focus on your notes,” she retorted sharply, though I noticed the way her breath hitched slightly when I shifted closer again.

I leaned in just enough for her to catch my scent—the familiar cologne mixed with something darker—and felt satisfaction swell in my chest when she visibly stiffened. I reveled in that tension, enjoying every moment of watching her squirm beneath my gaze.

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