Page 75 of Hate You Up Close

I don’t smile. I don’t say thank you. I just get the fuck out of there.

SIXTEEN

Roxy

The morning after the elevator nightmare, I’m standing with my hands braced against my desk. I’m staring down at a box of decorations I brought in hopes to liven up my office.

I want to be excited about decorating, but I can’t seem to think straight. I can’t decide where I want to place my fake plants or hang picture frames because all I can think about is the way Elliot kissed me. And the way I kissed him back with my whole heart.

I can’t stop thinking about the hypnotic feeling of his soft lips sliding against mine. His rough hands roaming all over my body, leaving invisible trails on every inch of skin he touched. His hot tongue rubbing against mine, sending butterflies rushing from my stomach to my core. I can’t get the sound of his deep groans, vibrating against my lips like aged whiskey, out of my head.

“You know how hot it is to know that you’ll be walkingaround the rest of the day in that tight little dress, wet and wanting because of me?”

“Do you like that, Rox? The thought of being fucked by your boss?”

I’m ashamed of how much his filthy mouth turned me on. I swear I could have come from his husky words brushing against my ear. It was vile and sinful and so fucking hot.

Also, the way he calls me Rox. I would never think that nickname would sound sexy coming from anyone's lips…but God, I was sadly mistaken. I’d be lying if I said I haven't dreamt of him calling me that, speaking in his low, raspy tone that sends tingles to my core.

Physical attraction set aside, it was how the kiss felt that’s been bothering me the most. It felt like we were connected, tethered by an invisible rope that’s been pulling us together since I arrived at Ace Financial.

It was as if I had kissed him a million times, and still, each time would feel like the first. He felt…oddly familiar. I’ve never known what home feels like, but I imagine the feeling would be similar to the way my heart lunged for him the first time he kissed me.

It was all-consuming, unlike any other kiss I’ve ever experienced.

And then he had to go and ruin it.

“It was nothing, Roxanne.”

God, I hate how much those four words have played on repeat in my mind over the past twenty-four hours. I know it wasn't nothing.

But at the end of the day, I should be thanking him. He’s doing us both a favor. If we were to get caught fooling around, we could risk losing our jobs.

Aside from work, I’m dodging a bullet by keeping myself away from Elliot. He said it himself, he’s nothing but trouble.I’ve already experienced enough loss in my life. I need to be with someone who is stable and secure. Falling in love with a man who is unpredictable and emotionally unavailable is something that I simply will not allow for myself.

So even though Elliot made the bullshit excuse that our kiss was nothing, I’ll let him believe that blatant lie. Because as much as I want him, I don’t need him. Ineedto focus on myself. Creating a new life for myself is the whole reason I moved to Dallas in the first place. I will not let a man take that away from me.

Not only are me and Elliot as compatible as water and oil, but I also have a date with Zach this Friday night. He called me over the weekend, and I assured him that he would not lose his job over taking me on a freaking date.

I’ve read over the HR policy three times, and there is nothing against dating employees from a separate department. I promised Zach that if Elliot tries to retaliate, I will go straight to HR. And I know with one hundred percent certainty that Skylar won’t put up with Elliot’s shit.

Deciding I need to get my mind off of Elliot, I reach into the box and pull out a few picture frames and a faux bouquet of fuchsia roses. There’s enough light coming in through the glass walls to buy real plants, but there’s no way in hell that I’m coming to the office on weekends to water and maintain them. So, fake plants it is.

I pull out a rose gold vase, which is embellished with millions of little sparkles that glitter in the sun. It goes perfectly with the roses and adds a pop of color to the dull office space.

I place the flower arrangement next to my computer, and my lips tilt up in a smile at how pretty the display looks shimmering in the morning light. Specks of light reflect off the vase, dancing around the space like little stars.

I’ve never been much of a glitter and flowers kind of girl, butI’m obsessed with how this turned out. It helps my office come alive and not look so…sterile.

My blissful mood is quickly halted.

“What thehellis that?” a familiar, deep voice growls with disgust.

I roll my eyes and slowly spin around to find my arch nemesis. Elliot’s standing directly in front of my desk with a beautiful scowl etched across his face as he glares at the pink vase.

“Good morning to you too,” I sneer while crossing my arms over my chest.

I quickly skim my eyes down his body, trying not to blush at how damn good he looks today. He’s wearing a suit I’ve never seen on him before, and it’s not his usual black and gray ensemble.