Not Just Friends (Hot in the City #3) - T. Gephart Page 0,54
dial down the testosterone.” I got between them, my body a makeshift barrier that could be snapped in two, if either of them got out of control. “And for your sake, Leighton, you better not have gotten me a salad.”
Jared laughed, a smile of his own appearing. “Of course not. I got you a chicken and veggie bowl.”
“Why the fuck do I get salad? Didn’t I tell you to get me whatever you got Presley?” Bennett argued, annoyed his lunch was going to be on the light side.
“Yeah, you did. I might be kissing Presley’s ass, but I’m sure as shit not kissing yours. Maybe next time be less of a jerk and I’ll get you something decent.” He smirked, pulling out the plastic clamshell container and held it for Bennett to take.
Cursing under his breath, Bennett took his salad and stormed out of the room leaving the door open so we could hear his displeasure even though he’d left my office.
“And here I thought you were a nice guy.” I wrapped my arms around him, lifting my lips to kiss him.
“Oh, I am a nice guy, Presley. But don’t think for a second I don’t have the capacity to be a total prick.” His smile edging wider as he leaned down and kissed me.
“YOU GOT HANK A FUCKING CHICKEN AND VEGGIE BOWL TOO?!” Bennett’s voice boomed from outside the room.
“See?” He tipped his head to the door. “Total prick. Now, let’s eat before Bennett comes back and tries to wrestle the bag from my hands.”
My hand gripped his shirt, able to kiss him how I wanted to since we no longer had an audience. “I know I shouldn’t like you mean, but it’s kind of a turn on.”
“That’s kind of messed up, Presley. And considering how much I like it, not sure what that says about me.”
He didn’t hesitate, kissing me like he meant it as he walked me back to the desk. The door was still open so we couldn’t get too crazy, but we were using the small amount of privacy the walls of my office afforded us.
I loved the way his lips felt, their teasing both demanding and urgent. Like nothing could be taken for granted, and he didn’t know when he’d kiss me again.
Maybe, that was exactly it.
He was the first to pull away, the crumbling bag against my back reminding me he was still holding onto our lunch.
“Now, should I be worried about your meeting with Scott Collins?” His head tipped to the side, the curiosity simmering in his eyes.
Since he hadn’t mentioned it earlier, I’d assumed he hadn’t seen Scott. Obviously I’d been wrong, Jared either seeing him leave my office or Diablo on his way back.
“You’re worried?” I teased, glad he was asking me outright rather than jumping to conclusions. I liked that, that he didn’t just assume the meeting had been anything other than business.
“Presley, have you looked in a mirror? Of course, I’m worried. The guy walks into a room and ladies cream their pants. I’m confident, but I’m not stupid.”
His grin told me otherwise, and I couldn’t imagine him feeling inadequate. He’d always been larger than life, Justin’s cocky best friend who always had a woman hanging off his every word.
“It was business. Buuuuut,” I figured it was as good a time as any, “you know, I could ask you the same thing.”
He shook his head, dismissing the notion. “Presley, he seems like a nice guy, but I’m straight. Not interested.”
“Oh ha, ha, ha,” I mock laughed. “You’re forgetting I’ve seen you with other women. In my club, Leighton.” I pushed a finger into his chest. “Now, I’m not going to punish you for the stuff you’ve done before, because that would be dumb. But considering we haven’t really talked about what’s going on here . . . is this an exclusive thing?”
It had been me who initially said I could do casual, promising I wouldn’t turn into the clingy girlfriend who demanded things. And, that was what I had intended to be. But I wasn’t so sure I’d be able to share him, the idea of him with another woman driving me crazy.
“In case you hadn’t noticed, Presley, the last few times I was in your club, I went home alone. That wasn’t because I didn’t have choices.”
It was something I’d noticed, probably a little too much, but refused to read too much into it. “So what are your choices now?”