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I also totally have to save one of these for Hannah, or else she might murder me in my sleep.

I carefully take out a crème brûlée one and admire the hard sugar exterior that shines on top of the warm donut. There are little gold flecks pressed into it, making it seem even more luxurious. Without waiting another second, I dive in. The glaze gives a satisfying crack as I bite into it, before giving way to the creamy yellow filling. The rich flavors explode in my mouth, with touches of vanilla and sweet cream.

“This is even better than I imagined,” I groan, turning to Cullen, who is watching me through heated eyes. “What?”

“Those little noises you make are so fucking sexy.”

Butterflies take flight in my chest at his guttural tone. I’ve been complimented by men before, but somehow the way Cullen says the word ‘sexy’ has my body temperature soaring.

I’m not sure how to respond. I’m not even sure how to keep eating.

This man keeps tipping me off course.

He throws an arm over the back of the bench, angling his body toward me, capturing me completely. It’s a simple move but so attractive at the same time. His fingers trace my shoulder, and any intelligent thought disappears from my mind.

“I was serious before Verity. Won’t you give me a chance?”

I have no idea what he’s referring to, but I’m tempted to agree with him regardless.

“What chance?”

It seems like some part of my brain is still functioning.

“To date you properly.”

“You barely know me.”

“That’s the point of dating, to get to know someone.”

Okay, he has me there. Point to Cullen.

I just can’t understand why this hunk of a guy is so dead set on me. My heart is a fragile thing, and it falls so easily. I know if I say yes that it will be game over for me. I can’t do anything half-assed; if I agree to date Cullen, I’ll date the hell out of him.

I need to keep the barrier up a little longer, need to make sure I have a clear head and am not getting lost in the idea of him instead of what it actually means to be with him. If he is serious enough, he won’t mind. If he really wants to date me, the challenge won’t stop him.

“Four dates. We have to go on four dates, and then I’ll decide.”

I’d already made up the bullshit excuse of needing four dates before we could kiss; adding another stipulation onto it is nothing.

“All right, it’s a deal. Two more dates.” He smirks, playing with a piece of my hair in his fingers and bringing it to his lips in a kiss. “Two more dates, and then you’ll be mine.”

CHAPTER SEVEN

VERITY

“She’s in a mood this morning.”

I flop down onto my seat and turn to Imani.

“Isn’t she always in some sort of mood?”

She rolls her chair from her cubicle to mine, bringing her voice to a low whisper.

“Yeah, but this seems worse than the usual Monday moodiness.”

“Great.”

That’s just what I need this morning. I spent all last week toiling away on my big presentation, and it could all be for naught because Celine is in one of her moods. Everyone knows you have to be careful around her. If you catch her during a bad moment, it could be the end of your career. But, if you are lucky enough to land in her path on one of her good days, your career could be jetted up to the stars. It is a rough environment, but the potential payoff is worth it…or at least that’s what I tell myself.