Page 93 of Executing Malice

I don’t.

Never mind the fact that I don’t accept gifts from people I dislike. I really have no use for flowers.

“Was there something you needed?”

The paper crinkles as the bundle is placed on the counter. On my files. The moisture soaks through to smudge the ink and ruin my work.

Now, I’m double annoyed.

I turn my gaze up to his.

There is arrogance in his curled lips. In the way he meets my gaze like he knows he’ll win. I’m almost amused by how wrong he is.

“I’m going to take you to dinner. I’m thinking we leave at five. There aren’t any suitable places here so we’ll have to drive to Mayfield. We can get a hotel—”

I put a hand up to stop him. “No.”

No being a full sentence doesn’t seem to be something in his vocabulary when he simply stares at me like I just broke out inKlingon.His head cocks to one side and he crinkles his brow in sheer confusion.

“We can get dinner at the hotel if—”

Good God.

“No to all of it.” I straighten and fix him with the full weight of my seriousness. “I will not go out with you. I definitely will not fuck you. If anything, your proposal is offensive andunwanted. So, unless you want to open an account or make some other bank related inquiry, I’ll ask you to leave.”

A tick forms in his temple. The rapid flicker of a vein that reminds me of a fat worm. All that boyish charm is gone. The mask slipping just a flicker of a heartbeat before it snaps back into place with practice and he smirks.

“Funny. I was told you were pretty easy.”

I feel the prickle, the kiss of outrage before I catch myself. “Let’s say that’s true. How embarrassed are you that you got turned down?”

He’s not smiling anymore.

There is cutting hatred in the narrowing of his eyes that drill into mine, but I don’t flinch. I don’t look away. I meet his poisonous scowl with a raised eyebrow and a challenge to do his best.

“I heard you were difficult. No wonder you’re alone.”

I click my tongue and fold my arms. “A difficult whore. That’s me. Now, leave.”

His lips pull back over his teeth. Not quite a smile, but a mix of amusement and disdain. His head tips back so he’s peering down the length of his nose at me.

He scoffs like he thinks it might hurt my feelings. “You have no idea how badly you’ve fucked up. Shame because I think you and I would have been perfect.”

“Gross,” I mutter before I can stop myself.

He chuckles, the sound sharp as a bed of nails raking down my back. “You’ll change your mind. I’ve always been incredibly patient when I want something.”

“You should look into getting a hobby,” I tell him. “When a girl says no, it means no.”

“We both know you enjoy it when you have no choice.”

I feel myself physically recoil. “That’s disgusting. Get out.”

His hands drop into his pockets and he turns on his heels like he’s actually going to listen. He even strolls all the way to the door and stops.

“Maybe I’ve been playing this all wrong.”

I watch with growing apprehension as he flips my lock into place, sealing me in with him.