Page 36 of Desperate Pucker
“They’re refinishing the steps this week.”
I sigh and turn back around to the elevators.
“You got something against the elevator?” Ryker says.
I stand a few feet away from him and gaze ahead. “I prefer the stairs.”
“I’m surprised. I thought you’d demand to be carried in a sedan chair to your office, ice princess,” he taunts. Irritation zooms through me.
“Or maybe you don’t want to share the same mode of transportation as me. It’s beneath you, right, princess?”
I stomp up to the elevator bank and punch the button for my floor.
“I can take the damn elevator,” I mutter.
The doors glide open, and we step in. When the doors close, that familiar pressure lands at the center of my chest. I take a slow, silent breath.
It’s just a couple of minutes of discomfort to shut up this cocky jerk. Then the doors will open, I’ll walk out of this steel box, and I’ll be okay.
“I’m so honored to share this elevator with you, princess.”
I turn and glower at him. “Would you stop with that nickname? I’m not a fucking princess.”
A smug smile dances across his lips.God. Why does he have to looksodamn handsome when he smiles?
I look away and count the seconds as we glide up to the top floor.
“I like calling you that. I like that it gets a rise out of you,” he says.
I turn to look at him. “I want to give you a nickname too. Which one do you like better? Old man river or micro penis?”
His lip curls like he’s amused. “If you’re going for accuracy, old man river. Micro penis is way, way, way off.”
“God, you’re insufferable. Of course you’d lie about your dick size.”
“I’m not lying, princess.”
“Would you just?—”
The elevator skids to a halt. We both stumble back into the wall of the elevator.
“What the hell…” My breathing kicks up.
Ryker punches a button, but nothing happens.
“Why did we stop?” My voice hitches up.
“I don’t know.” He presses another button with his massive thumb.
The pressure in my chest intensifies. It feels like an elephant is sitting on my torso.
“Can’t you get it going again?” My voice is loud and pitchy with panic.
He frowns at me like I’ve sprouted another head. “What? I don’t know how to do that.”
He hits the emergency button. There’s static for a couple of seconds, then a low, tinny voice answers.
“Hello?”
