Page 15 of One Rule
Instead of responding, though, I leaned down and kiss the tip of her nose—breathe in deep and fill my lungs with her intoxicating cupcake scent while fighting back the urge to lick her cheek. Her neck. To swipe my tongue across her plump lips before claiming them as mine.
I do none of those things—keeping my hunger in check—but I do lift the hand not holding her wrist and cup the back of her neck. My hold is possessive, a tenth of the need causing my cock to painfully throb, and smile down at her. “Why?”
“Because I’m part of your cyber security department.”
“I’m aware. Your schooling has always been a priority to me.” I caress the soft skin underneath each fingertip. Each touch is meant to soothe her. “However, that doesn’t answer the why?”
Liliana’s tongue peeks out then from between her plump lips and glides across the bottom one. The action is innocent; I don’t believe she’s aware of just how sexy it is. “Then you must understand that I like my arrangement here as is. This will interfere with my internship; I need these logged hours for my final grade this semester.”
“It won’t. I promise.”
“Micah, please find someone else. I’m not—"
“I need someone I can trust, Liliana.” Bending my knees a bit, I lower my body just enough that my forehead lays on hers. Keep our eyes locked. “After the attempted theft on the ship, knowing it was one of my employees that sold the company out, I’m concerned. You’re the only one that I—”
“Okay.” She breathes out. No hesitation.
“Just like that?”
“Yup. You need me, and I’m here.”
“Thank you, love.”
The term of endearment slips from me, but Liliana doesn’t call me out on it. Instead, she leans up and kisses my cheek before pushing me back and I let her, releasing my hold on her neck. For a few seconds, we stare at each other and don’t move. Just follow the other’s breathing patterns, the tension between us palpable—my muscles twitch and I’m about to pull her close once again when her desk phone rings.
It breaks the moment. Forces a shuddering breath from her chest, and I’m strong enough to walk away from the temptation. One of the last times I’ll ever do this again. Our time is coming.
Soon, baby.Moreover, I’m almost at the door when I change my mind and look at her over my shoulder. “Take the rest of the day off. You’ll start tomorrow.”
“Who’s going to help you here? Plus, I have to meet up with Jeremy for our weekly—"
“No,” I interrupt and her eyes narrow. Lips purse. “That can wait until next week.”
“What do you meanno, Micah? He’s not just your employee, Jeremy’s my TA and I need to show my work for the week and proof of logged hours.” Exasperated, she huffs. Crosses her arms across her chest, and the way it pushes her tits together is simply beautiful. “I’m so close to graduating and can’t afford to slip. That, and I’m needing a bit of help picking the basis of my final project.”
“Relax, sweetheart. You won’t fall behind; I won’t let that happen.”
“But, Micah—”
“But nothing, rebel. Be a good girl for me and go home.” From over my shoulder, I send her a wink while swiping my tongue across my bottom lip. Her eyes follow the move, eyes darkening just a tiny bit, and it takes everything in me not to stride back inside and kiss the ever-loving fuck out of her. “And expect a treat from me tonight. It’ll be there at six.”
Chapter5
Micah
“I’m not even going to ask.”
“Good. You shouldn’t,” I answer her brother, retaking my seat behind my desk while raising a brow at the crumbs on his shirt and the powdered sugar on his fingers. He’s just as bad as my rebel, having left nothing on the tray but was smart enough not to touch the ones I’d left on a plate for myself. “And I won’t either. Plausible deniability.”
“Bets decision of your life.” Lionel’s shrug is nonchalant, but those words are quickly followed by a tightening around his eyes, his lips in a straight line. Then, there’s the way his posture becomes stiff—a nervous tick he’s never exuded before also starts in his leg. It bounces rapidly, while the fingers of his right hand tap an off-rhythm on his knee.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
I’d never seen him this way before. Something’s wrong.
“Tell me.” My tone is hard. Tinged with ire; an explosion of dark promise growing within me with each second that ticks on the clock. “What the fuck is going on, Armas?”
“Is she in danger, Micah?”