Page 39 of Reptile Dysfunction
“Yes, I can see exactly what you’re doing.” His gaze flicks to me dismissively. “Though I doubt this is what Charles had in mind for the anniversary piece.”
My snakes hiss softly, picking up on my rising irritation. Sterling actually bares his fangs, which would be more intimidating if he hadn’t spent the morning trying to convince me to make heart-shaped pancakes.
“What I write is my business.” Sloane’s voice could freeze water. “And absolutely none of yours.”
“Your father—”
“Isn’t here.” Finally looking up, she fixes him with a stare that would make any enforcer proud. “Was there something else?”
The silence stretches, charged with old money and new resentments. Then Bradley smiles, all gleaming teeth and calculated charm.
“Just looking out for your best interests, darling. We wouldn’t want people getting the wrong idea about your… professional relationships.” He pulls out his phone, scrolling deliberately. “Physical limitations can be quite telling about someone’s actual capabilities. What was it—a Pilates injury? That must be embarrassing for someone who’s supposed to be intimidating.”
Every snake on my head rises, creating a crown of angry serpents. The familiar prickle of my intimidation aura activates before I can stop it, making the temperature in the room drop.
Bradley takes an instinctive step back, his expensive shoes squeaking on the linoleum.
“Careful, Bradley.” Hmm, Sloane just displayed a tone I’ve never heard before. Her voice is almost as dismissive as Bradley’s. “That sounds dangerously close to harassment. And discrimination.”
“Just expressing legitimate business concerns,” he says, but takes another instinctive step back. “After all, if an instructor can’t handle basic exercise classes, what does that say about their teaching abilities?”
My snakes form an increasingly agitated wall. Before I can stop myself, my intimidation aura activates, dropping the temperature in the room by several degrees. “I think,” I sayquietly, letting my eyes shift to full amber, “you were just leaving.”
“Is that a threat, Gorgon?”
“No.” Sloane’s steps closer and places her hand possessively on my shoulder. “That’s a dismissal. Goodbye, Bradley.”
He leaves, but the tension lingers. My snakes remain alert, tracking his departure with suspicious eyes.
“I’m sorry,” I start, but she cuts me off with a kiss that makes every snake on my head absolutely useless at maintaining their defensive posture.
“Don’t be.” She smiles against my lips. “That was actually kind of hot.”
“The intimidation thing?”
“The protective thing.” Her fingers find my scalp, and my snakes immediately forget about Bradley in favor of more pleasant sensations.
Sterling reaches toward her, just a few inches too far away to be able to wrap around her throat, while other snakes attempt to look as non-threatening as possible.
Somehow, doing paperwork while my snakes shamelessly flirt with the woman who chose me over country club expectations doesn’t feel like defeat at all.
It feels like victory.
Even if I have to sit with my back against an ice pack while I file.
Chapter Seventeen
Sloane
The notification count on HarmonyUncensored.com hits triple digits while I’m making coffee in my parents’ gourmet kitchen. I hide a smile as I notice a text from Thad:Sterling misses you. The others too, but mostly Sterling.
A picture follows—the empty side of the bed where I slept—covers still bunched from our energetic lovemaking.
Tell Sterling I miss him too,I text back, adding a heart emoji that feels simultaneously too much and not enough.
The reply comes instantly:Great. Now he’s doing that thing where he checks his reflection in every shiny surface. Yesterday, I caught him admiring himself in a soup spoon.When can we see you again?My heart flutters at the “we” that so clearly meansI.
I’ll have to check my busy schedule,I reply.When is Sterling free? I assume he keeps his own calendar.
