He wanted to hold my hand?
“Thank you for the tea and the pills, Ms Benítez,” he said, looking pointedly at the ibuprofen. I dropped the box into his palm.
Greg hung up with his wife and didn’t bother to disguise his sly look. I went back to my desk and focused on boss number two, determined to ignore the way James was studying me. Funny how being the object of two men’s scrutiny can make you feel like prey for very different reasons.
I forced my shoulders to relax and spoke to Greg. “The cuppa I made for you is back in the kitchen,” I lied. “Earl Grey, milk and two sugars, isn’t it?”
James had taken out a pill and he paused it halfway to his mouth. Good, now he wouldn’t think I was giving him preferential treatment. Greg slid his eyes down my body and I sighed inwardly. Not only did he insist on calling me pet names, he never missed a chance to ogle me.
“Assam, black with one sugar, Liza, but never mind, I’m going for coffee and pastry.”
I smirked at his paunch. “Watch out Greg, you wouldn’t want to lose your six pack.”
He barely disguised his leer. “For you Betty, I’d give up all the pastries in the world. Just say the word.”
Well, the words I wanted to say would get me fired so I abstained. As soon as Greg was gone James cleared his throat like a schoolmaster before an errant pupil.
“Inappropriate behaviour will not be tolerated, Ms Benítez.”
“Excuse me?”
“Your professional conduct is being observed at all times and unsuitable interactions will be noted on your probation evaluation. In case you are unaware, Greg has no decision-making powers with regards to your permanent employment contract.”
I counted to ten in my head. “Don’t they teach you how to speak clearly in lawyer school?”
James leaned forward and lowered his voice. “Greg is married, not that it makes any difference to you.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means that sex with Greg will get you nowhere.”
Oh God, the way he said sex was just like the way he’d said pussy seven years ago. My brain shut down and my body responded.
“And sex with James?”
I don’t know who sucked in more air, him or me, but I know whose head was besieged by a painful cacophony of screams.
Oh no! No, no and no. You did not just say that! my mind shouted.
But it seemed as if I had, as if now that I could no longer speak to James with my eyes my mouth had taken over, turning my secret thoughts into words. Prickly, burning heat rolled over my body. I wanted to sink into the floor or press a magic button that would pop me into a different dimension. Mortified, I fixed my eyes on my computer screen as if I were watching the end of the world in vivid detail.
“Still the same Paisley,” James said softly. “And you still don’t understand that I was never interested.”
Liar! my mind shouted.#p#分页标题#e#
He may be indifferent to me now but desire had fuelled the first kiss we’d shared. It had blazed hot and long in Caroline’s bed and it had surged, erotic and tender on the day of his wedding.
How dare he try to deny it?
Weeks of dealing with his thinly veiled disgust had taken their toll and I was sick of his attitude.
My voice went just as soft as his. “You can lie to yourself all you want but you were calling my name in bed, not Caroline’s. Have you forgotten how much you fantasised about me, or how many times I made you come?”
The corner of James’s mouth turned down. He caught the expression before it could turn into a grimace and schooled his face to indifference, but I saw it.
Score one for me.
“What is it James?” I taunted, goaded by an emotion I couldn’t put a name to if I tried. “Can’t take the truth or was I too crude for your sensitive ears? That’s not what you thought back then. I remember how much you enjoyed telling me to...to...”
Oh, crap, why had I promised not to swear?
“You wanted me to tell you to... Fudge!”
“To fudge?” He made it sound more of a swear word than I had.
“A gooey American treat,” I retorted. “Crunchy on the outside, moist and chewy on the inside.”
“That’s a brownie.”
“Whatever. You know I’m telling the truth even if you choose to forget it.”
“You’re the last person to talk to me about truth,” he said tightly. “And what I know, Ms Benítez, is that I need the Mariano share purchase agreement. Is it ready?”
That was it? He was going to switch channels, get up and walk towards my desk without talking about that incredible night? Taking my virginity and sharing his body with mine had meant nothing more to him than a wild time in bed? Had I imagined our connection? The searing passion? The way we fit together so perfectly?