Page 28

Cecily

CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

I focus on the memory of him with the actress; a murderous rage spreads inside me.

Almost recovered from the impact of his presence, I lift my chin and begin to descend as if I feel very safe, which is a lie.

"Thank you," I say as I pass him, as if I'm very used to having a handsome man complimenting me.

Before I pull away, however, he grabs my arm.

Instead of looking at him, I look at where his fingers touch my skin.

Dionysus is hot in every way. I want more of those hands on me; I need them touching me.

Be the actress, Cecily. Just two days ago the womanizer was with another woman. He's playing with your head, perhaps even proud of making you tremble like a fool.

“I'll take you,” he says.

The arrogant statement drives me crazy. "Really? I thought you had company for the wedding. Did you forget the French actress on the airport luggage belt?"

Jesus Christ, shut up, Cecily! You could write an encyclopedia of the mistakes you just made. What do you have to do with your boss's love life?

My rational side begs me to pay attention to it, but the jealousy is much stronger, because even though I know how much I'm deluding myself, that cursed voice keeps repeating over and over again: mine .

I look at him, trying to assess the amount of damage my words have caused, but I get irritated when I notice an amused look.

He's laughing at me, the heartbreaker bastard. "I didn't have sex with her, redhead."

"I don't give a damn about that."

"You should, since you are the one to blame for ruining my fuck."

I pull out of his grip, worried that if I stay too close, I'll hit him and knock that smug smile off his face. "I didn't ruin anything. You can sleep with whomever you want. I don't care."

His big bad wolf grin widens. "When I go out with a woman, the last thing I do is sleep."

I swallow hard, feeling the center of my thighs throb. "I'm sure. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a wedding to attend."

My back is to him, but I don't move away quickly enough and I almost faint when I feel him at my back, his mouth whispering close to my ear:

"I don't want another woman."

"I don't care what you want, sir."

He pushes a strand of my hair to the side. "Such a liar. You're shaking, Cecily, and we both know why. It's the same reason why, no matter how much I try to rationalize against it, I can't stay away from you."

I get tired of the lies and turn to face him. "You don't really want me. You are just curious. You can have any woman you want, and maybe that certainty makes you bored and makes you wanna play with someone who doesn't belong in your world. I would have to be dead not to be attracted to you, but I have a lot to lose, Dionysus. I'm not going back to Kansas. I belong here, and if you allow me, I intend to take care of Joseph for a long time. Look for another woman to have fun with, with all due respect, sir."

"Is that what you really want?"

"No."

"Then why are you lying?"

"I'm not lying. I'm protecting myself."

"I want the truth."

"Do we still have that agreement where I can talk without being judged?"

"Yes."

"Regarding my desires, what I want is to know what it's like to touch myself listening to your voice. Finally being sure what an orgasm is. I dreamed that you saw me doing it, and I woke up with my body on fire."

If he weren't who he is, I might be scared by the intensity of his gaze after what I say, because he looks like he's about to rip my clothes off. "Go on. What else do you want?"

"I don't know much about sex, sir, except in theory, but the way I get hot when you're around, I think anything between us would be very . . . rough."

He lowers his face and smells the curve between my shoulder and neck. I shudder.

" Rough? Do you think it would be rough? I would turn you inside out, Cecily. Right now I want to pull up that dress, get down on my knees, and suck your pussy until I hear you scream my name. To not stop until I’ve ensured that not only do you know what an orgasm really is but you won’t be able to see me without imagining my fingers, tongue, and cock inside you."

I feel so weak from those words that I need to lean on his forearm.

"See what I can do just by telling you what I want? You think that if we fucked, it would be ‘rough?’ No, redhead. When I take you, the fucking planet is going to fall off its axis."

I force myself not to get carried away by what he says. It’s all just a fantasy between two people who want each other.

Even if I didn't expect anything from him afterwards, as soon as I gave in, he would send me away and I would lose contact with Joseph forever.

"It won't happen, because we live on different planets. I need my job, and I'm determined to keep it. You won't want me around when it's all over. Can you deny that?"

He says nothing, and I have my answer.

I don't give him time to continue talking, because despite trying to use my reason, his words— when I take you, the fucking planet will fall off its axis —is such a tempting invitation that I’m scared I’ll give in.

I barely reach the door when his voice stops me again:

"I said I'll take you." He sounds angry, and I think a little bit frustrated too.

We both are because the desire we feel is dangerous.

I look back. "Thank you, but there’s no need. I already have a ride."

On cue, the doorbell rings, and I quickly walk to open it.

Cage looks at me from the other side, smiling and without disguising his interest in me.

His look doesn't do anything to me other than massage my ego. I know there will never be anything between us, but I need a distraction before I make a mistake that will cost me dearly.