know.”
“You're wrong. It won't be if you don't get your shit together.” Standing up straight, I walk towards the punching bag. “Do you think Daniel is just going to sit back and let you act this way?”
“So I should just change who I am?” Giving the bag a few quick jabs, he circles it and gives it a kick. “You both want me to become a robot. No personality, no emotions, just a yes man.” Shaking his head, he slugs the bag. “I don't think so. And I don't think us pretending to get engaged is going to do anything to help my image.”
“It won't just help, it's going to fix it.” Kicking off my heels, I step to the bag and give it hard kick with a jab combo. “I know how to do my job, same as you. We're both good at what we do, Phade.”
Crooking his jaw, he peers at me with a pleased look on his face. “I know what else you're good at.” Winking, he holds the bag and nods for me to kick it again.
Kicking with my shin, I grunt loud as my leg connects with the solid mass. “And that needs to stop too. No more sex references, we need to be all business, nothing else.”
“What? I can't compliment you on your amazing ass, and how good your pussy felt wrapped around my cock?”
My chest swells as I inhale a deep breath and my clit pulses with excitement. I can feel him inside me again, the way he spread me open wide, how deep he went, hitting my lower belly.
No! Stop thinking about it!
Forcing the sensation away, my expression hardens. “Phade, I'm serious. You're going to lose everything if you keep doing this shit. And I won't be able to do anything to stop Daniel. He's in charge, he makes the rules, and both of us are here to follow them.”
“I make my own rules, sweetheart. No one makes them for me.” Circling the bag, we're now eye to eye. Phade's eyes flick around my face as he lifts his finger to my jaw and touches me lightly. “You can't tell me you didn't enjoy what we did. I know I did, and I know I haven't stopped thinking about it since.”
Holding up my hands, I take a firm step back. “We can't do this. Right now we need to focus on cleaning up your image. That's what's important.”
“Or. . .” he says, the word drawn out as he tries to close the gap between us. Taking a step forward, his brows arch high. “We can focus on making yours dirtier. . .” Pausing, he pulls his bottom lip in and smirks. Deep dimples sink into skin as his smile spreads ear to ear. “Doesn't that sound like way more fun?”
“No, that sounds like trouble.” Holding up my hands, I take a step back. I don't want him close to me. I'm afraid I'll lose focus, that his musk and muscles and smile will break the little control I have.
I can feel that thread getting weaker, the fibers brittle and exposed, ready to break with one single touch.
He steps in again. I step away. He steps, I step, he steps, I step. We do this dance through the room, until I feel something hard against my back, and I realize I have no place else to go. Phade has me cornered, trapped between his hard body and the wall.
His eyes ignite with pleasure as he realizes the same thing. Stopping a foot away, he rolls his shoulders back, lengthening his body. Like a hunter trapping its prey, he smoothly closes the gap.
“Look what I just caught.” Taking a long step in, he lowers his face and inhales a slow silent breath. “You smell amazing.” Stroking my jaw, he runs his finger across my chin, drawing a swirl in the center.
Turning my face away, I try to stop myself from blushing. But my cheeks heat instantly, and my chest is warm, buzzing with need. I can't stop it as my insides start to tumble and my muscles become electrified.
Damn it! No more of this!
With open palms, I hold up my hands as a wall between us. It's weak, I know, and I won't be able to stop him if he wants to break through, but I need to do something to keep him from getting any closer. To feel protected from him.
I'm terrified that my body is going to take over, giving him complete