20
But, oh man, lying wasn’t the angle I wanted to take. It wasn’t the way I wanted to start this internship. It made me sick to think that I was going to be this dishonest about the sexiest night I’d ever experienced in my life.
As I stared into Declan’s eyes, melting from a gaze so strong, I knew there was no other option.
So, I clasped my hands in my lap, trying to look as innocent as possible, and said, “That night? I remember our time in the classroom when you were mentoring me, and from the little bit I can recall from the bar, I believe we had an enlightening conversation. But, admittedly-and this is so embarrassing-I don’t remember anything we spoke about.” When I shook my head this time, I tucked the loose strands behind my ear. “I definitely shouldn’t have drunk that much on an empty stomach.”
“Hold on a second …”
His eyes scanned me, and I knew he was trying to read me. Something he’d done so easily before, but I wasn’t going to allow that now. Layers of masks covered my face, blocking his penetration.
“You don’t remember … anything? Or just our conversation?”
“Anything, honestly.” I winced like I felt bad about it. “Wait, that’s not true. I think you said something about blue cheese olives.” I paused. “That you liked them? Or maybe hated them?” I shrugged. “Oh gosh, I don’t know.” My eyes widened, and I put my hand over my mouth. “I hope I didn’t make a fool of myself. Or do something silly. Or-oh God-inappropriate. That would make for a terrible first impression … and I’d be mortified.”
I didn’t even sound like myself. I sounded like Madison, except she’d be twirling a piece of her hair around her finger, chewing a piece of gum.
I hated this.
I hated myself.
I hated the way I felt.
I hated the way he was looking at me.
But I certainly wasn’t going to address how much I’d loved the way my wetness tasted on his lips or why he hadn’t taken me home or how I knew it would be almost impossible to find a man who made me feel the way he had.
I needed my new boss to treat me with respect, not someone he’d thrown away.
I needed him to know I had skills other than the ones I’d shown him in the alley.
He meshed his fingers together, his fists clasped. “You didn’t … make a fool of yourself.”
“Are you sure I didn’t say anything inappropriate?” I needed to ensure this was all squashed, his response not satisfying me enough. “Sometimes, when I drink, I get a little flirty.” My hand flew to my chest. “Please tell me that didn’t happen. I would die.”
Madison had nothing on me.
He huffed out a bit of air, breaking eye contact to look at his hands. He licked across his lips, his brows furrowed as he glanced at me. “There’s no reason for you to worry.”
“Great.” I swallowed as the dryness faded, saliva finally entering my mouth. “Well, I’m ready to get started. Whatever you need, just tell me. I’m here to help in every way. And, Declan”-I put my hand on his desk, not far from where his were, wanting to emphasize this point in any way I could-“even though I’m a Dalton, I expect you to treat me like I’m any other intern.”
His arms left the desk, and he pushed back into his seat, his eyes roaming as though he were taking inventory of me. “You can take this folder to my paralegal. She’ll know what to do with it.” He lifted the folder off his desk and reached across the space between us.
I grabbed it from his hand, the position causing our fingers to collide.
The quick graze only lasted a second, just long enough for our heat to blend, for me to be reminded of the control he’d had over my body.
Once we parted, a surge erupted inside me-this sexy, overwhelming dominance that took me off guard.
Tingles licked across every inch of me.
They were strong enough to cause my breath to hitch.
To send me to my feet.
To not just dampen, but soak me.
This man … fuck.
“I’ll be back,” I whispered.
I was relieved when I could turn away from him, but that feeling didn’t last more than a moment because I felt his gaze move to my ass.
As I walked out and closed his door behind me, a thought marinated in my head.
He knew exactly what my ass felt like.
What I smelled like.
What I tasted like.
This was going to be the longest semester of my entire life.
SEVEN
DECLAN
FC0pyright © 2024 Nôv)(elDrama.Org.
uck me.
That was the thought that had run through my head every time I looked at Hannah over the past three days.
It had been seventy-two hours since she’d walked into my office. Every morning was a different outfit of the same variety. But each one showed her beautiful, bouncing tits, her lean, toned legs that looked endless in a pair of sky-high heels. Her long, hanging hair that framed the hottest face I’d ever seen.
And her goddamn scent.
The vanilla that I could taste even though it was no longer in my mouth.
Is this some sick punishment?
The world’s way of getting back at me for hooking up with a student I mentored?
For finally kissing a woman after all these years?
To find out she was a Dalton … now, that was a fucking blow. If I had known that before, I wouldn’t have laid a hand on her. I certainly wouldn’t have kissed her. The truth was, I wouldn’t have gone anywhere near her.
After she had given me her last name, she’d told me she didn’t want me to treat her any differently.