"But he just won't bite, and I feel like I'm about to go out of my mind! I love him so much, Zee, and I really, really want to have sex with him—-"
I nearly fall out of my chair.
"I really thought he'd have my virginity by now—-"
I nearly spat out a mouthful of juice at her words. "Scar!"
"Or at least gotten us to second base—-"
Oh my gosh.
I can't believe this girl is four years younger than me!
"But nothing," Scarlett cries out. "As in absolutely nothing! Not even a peck in the cheek, and so..."
Scarlett looks at me in helpless appeal.
"You're the only one I can talk to about him. So please, Zee. Is there anything else you can think of that I should do?"
Scarlett
"That should be Mr. Stanford," Mary says when we hear the elevator chime out a tune.
It's a warm Saturday evening, and when I found out Uncle Nicolaas and Stone have a meeting scheduled with Slater, I casually offered to cook for them, which the two men naturally said yes to.
When I see Mary about to stand up, I quickly shake my head, saying, "I can walk him in. It's my job, anyway."
Mary is visibly startled but pleased. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd be this dedicated."
"Yeah, well..." I manage a smile before hurrying out.
I love Mary like an older sister, but I can't let her find out about my plans to seduce my uncle's friend. It would've been nice if I could tell her the truth, but I'm not sure I can trust her to keep my secret. She tends to listen to her conscience more than I do, and if she thinks I'm playing with fire, she's sure to tell my uncle, and that would spell my doom.
Worries continue to cloud my thoughts as I wait for the elevator to reach our floor, but they dissipate in a flash the moment I hear the doors slide open.
Slater catches sight of me as soon as he steps out, and his steps come to an abrupt halt.
Oh, wow.
It's my first time to see him not wearing a suit, and I'm thrilled to see that he still looks beautiful and sexy, even in cashmere and jeans.
"Are you on your way out?"
"Hmph. You'd like that, won't you?"
"I was merely asking a question," he says stiffly.
"Uh huh."
I step towards him, and the beautiful man actually takes a step back.
How cute.
"Oh dear. Someone seems nervous," I coo.
"That's ludicrous."
But when I take another step forward, he immediately moves to the side to avoid me.
"Will you quit—-" He breaks off when I attempt to come closer, and he's forced to change directions yet again. "Stop that!"
The low growl should've terrified me, but all I can think about is how sexy the sound is...and how it's likely to sound a thousand times sexier when we're fucking, and oh God, oh gosh, I think I'm starting to get wet.
I look at him under my lashes, and I hear him inhale sharply as our gazes meet.
My heart bangs against my chest, but when I finally take another step closer to him, this time he stands his ground.
Another step, and his powerful body visibly stiffens.
"I think you were lying earlier," I whisper. "I really do think I make you nervous—-"
"Ms. Duke—-"
I stop advancing just to give him a pout. "It's Saturday. Can't you call me Scarlett since we're no longer at work?"
"That would be inappropriate," he says tightly.
I ignore that, saying instead, "You look gorgeous, by the way."
Dark color stains his high-boned cheeks. "That is inappropriate as well."
"I don't think so. Tonight, I'm not your intern, and you're not my boss—-"
"Nevertheless—-"
"Say my name," I tease, "and I'll stop teasing you." For now, I add silently and cross my fingers behind my back.
We stare at each other, his silvery gaze turning inscrutable even as his jaw clenches.
"Please, Uncle Slater." He probably thinks I've deliberately made myself sound breathless, but that's really the kind of effect he has on me.
I just love, love how so very proper he is, and if what Zee tells me is true—-
It's also that side of him that's the key to unlocking his heart.
I need to push him to his limits, need to do everything I can to make him break the rules—-
If I want Slater to even consider the possibility he's falling for me—-
I first need to make him see I'm the only girl who can make him follow his heart even when he thinks what it wants is...oh...so...wrong.
Slater
Don't do it, Slater.
Don't fucking play her game.
Don't.
But instead I hear myself say, "Very well." And before I even know what I'm doing, I'm already bending down and whispering straight into her ear, "Stop teasing the fuck of me...Scarlett."
Her name comes out in a rough rasp, and when I lean back, I'm immediately made to pay for my stupidity.