Page 35 of Undeniably Corrupt

“Are you sexually harassing me?”

“You’re the one talking about your dick,” I quip.

But he’s in no mood for jokes. “I officially ruined your trust in all men.” He throws me a side-eye, and my face heats a little at that. I forgot I said that to him, but clearly he didn’t. I get a small twinge of guilt for it, but he presses on before I can say anything to that. “Did you ever tell anyone about us?”

The change in topic throws me, and I turn to him, staring up at his profile. “Tell anyone?”

“When we were kids. I know you told the people here in the office, but did you ever tell anyone back home we were together?”

Uneasiness hits me at the way he asks me that. “No. You know I didn’t. Cassian would have killed you, and my father would have burst an aneurysm. Though in retrospect, I wouldn’t have minded the latter.”

His expression grows pensive. “Why is that?”

I shake my head. I really need to watch my mouth around him.

“You used to tell me everything,” he throws back at me.

“I was girlish and had pastel pink hearts in my eyes. I’m older and wiser now.”

“I’m your boss. You have to tell me.”

“I don’t, as it’s my personal business and not the company's.”

“I could fire you.”

I roll my eyes at him as we step onto the elevator. “You won’t. You want me too bad.”

He laughs, the sound almost hollow. “How do you mean there, Angel?”

I start ticking things off on my fingers. “Begging for me to work for you, apologizing for your bad behavior, a cool office with play stuff for my kid, breaking the nose of the guy in my neighborhood, and now, ‘Come for a ride with me,’” I mock his voice.

“You think I have a thing for you again?”

I snort. I’m not sure that’s how Vander operates. The notion of him dating or having “a thing” for someone and being romantic with them almost feels comical. It did back then too, but he’s different now. More closed off than he was then. He’s built a fortress around himself, only sharing what’s inside with a select few.

“I think you’re as down bad on me as a man can get.”

His lips twitch. “Is that so?”

“No. But I do think you are a bit obsessed with me.”

He chokes as he leans back against the wall of the elevator, his arms folded and his expression amused. “Obsessed? That’s a strong word, don’t you think?”

“What would you call it then?”

He grunts and looks toward the doors. “A moment of weakness. Ancient guilt.”

“Are you prone to either of those?”

Another grunt.

“Admit it,” I smart as the doors open and we step out into the garage. “You’ve got it bad for me. It’s my magic vagina.”

“Your what?” he barks incredulously.

“You heard me. It must be so sad to be you. You haven’t had pussy as good as mine in the last ten years, and it’s clearly ensnared you to me.”

I don’t even know where this is coming from other than he’s endlessly fun to rile up and mess with, and my good mood from this morning is still sailing me along.