Page 57 of Resisting the Temptation
“I think you should leave her alone,” I snap.
Mateo studies me for a second, nodding before he barks out a laugh. “You’re into her.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to. It’s obvious. The look on your face when she walked in, the protective way you talk about her. Why else would you feel the need to warn me beforehand about a set up?”
“Things could get awkward if you date a Rossi employee and it doesn’t work out.”
“Is that whyyouhaven’t made a move? You didn’t warn me when they tried to set me up with your HR rep.” He shudders as he remembers the disaster that was his date with Katrina.
“Drop it, Mateo. I just don’t think it’s a good idea.”
“I think it’s a great idea. Even if we don’t date, no harm in having a night of passion with her.”
I clamp my mouth shut before I rail into him about her not being that type of girl. He’s baiting me. I know he is, and it’s working.
But more than that, I’m mad because sheisthe type of girl who wants one night. She told me that herself.
We haven’t even discussed if we’re meeting tomorrow night because she’s avoiding me, and I hate it.
Good thing I have time tomorrow before lunch to talk to her.
Chapter 27
Emma
Last night, Mateo caught me off guard, and I couldn’t put my sunshine mask on quickly enough to appear excited to meet him.
Then, seeing Ben with him threw me even more because we’ve barely spoken this week—oops—and seeing him in a place that’s supposed to be a safe space rocked me.
I’m more prepared today.
I left McGrath’s early last night to have a good cry and repair my sunshiney armor so I can present as my bubbly self today, even if I don’t feel it on the inside.
I don’t know how to dress because I don’t know if we’ll be inside or outside, so I opt for a mustard-colored corduroy mini skirt and a plain black bodysuit I can wear a cardigan over if we’re outside.
I’m just adding my jewelry when the doorbell rings, andJordan calls out, “I’ve got it!”
I can’t make out what they’re saying, but I hear the deep timbre of Ben’s voice through my closed door, and the sound alone sends a shiver down my spine.
It’s like my body knows tonight is supposed to be one of our sessions, and I’m pent up as fuck after not having a release last week.
Despite avoiding him and not knowing where we stand, I’ve been following his rule about not touching myself. It’s been torture, but I don’t want to disappoint him.
If he still wants me, that is.
Maybe he’s in on setting me up with Mateo, and this is his way of telling me he’s done with our arrangement. As much as I want to pretend it wouldn’t hurt, even the idea of it makes me want to sob.
I shake my head and clear away those thoughts. They won’t help me right now.
After zipping up my boots and grabbing a cardigan, I take a deep breath before opening my bedroom door quietly. The carpet muffles my footsteps, and I find Ben and Jordan in the kitchen talking quietly, a steely look on Ben’s face.
I hope he’s not being an ass to my best friend, because I’ll smack him if he is.
Jordan notices me first, and their face twists into a smug smirk, which has me on alert. Jordan is as sweet as a kitten, but I know that look means they’re scheming, and if they’re scheming, it can’t be good for me, especially after how they tried to get me to agree to open up my heart for Ben.
Ben turns, and my breath catches at his slow perusal of my body. He’s looking at me like he’s a lion and I’mhis prey, and he’s calculating how fast he’ll need to run to catch me. His gaze is appreciative and overwhelming, and I hate that I want to ask him if he likes my outfit.
