The Spiral Down (The Fall Up #2)(35)

I grabbed his bicep and pulled him until his shoulder hit my chest. “You get what, Henry?”

Shock registered in his eyes. “Um…I just meant, if you did want Jessica, I’d get it.”

“I don’t.” The words shot from my mouth like an involuntary reflex.

I didn’t understand that, either.

“Fuck!” I shouted in frustration.

After reluctantly releasing him, I locked my fingers and rested them on the top of my head.

“Evan?”

Evan. It was like a feather down my spine.

I closed my eyes and painfully whispered, “Please don’t say my name.”

His hand cupped the back of my neck. “Okay, then, Maverick. Tell me what’s going on.”

I sighed at the horrible nickname and opened my eyes. His plump bottom lip was the first thing that came into my view.

“I wish I could, Henry.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed. “Whatever it is, I can promise you I’ll understand. I’m betting I even feel the same way.” He dropped his forehead to mine. “All you have to do is just say the words and I’ll make it happen. Whatever it is.”

But saying it aloud was something I was nowhere near ready for. I couldn’t admit why I’d made all of those impossible rules and promises to myself after Shannon had left. No more than I could forget why I’d made them in the first place.

The memories sliced through me. Not again. No f*cking way.

“Tonight shouldn’t have happened,” I lied, the words feeling like razorblades coming from my mouth. “It was entirely unprofessional of me.”

“Unprofessional?” He leaned away, obviously confused by my sudden switch.

“You’re my boss. And I crossed the line.”

His hands fell away. “What the hell are you talking about? Evan, I drew that line, and I invited you to cross it. I’ve already told you your job is safe. Drop the professional shit.”

“Okay. Sorry. Consider it dropped. All of it. I’m just gonna go to bed now. You can let yourself out. Thanks again for a truly unforgettable experience.”

I meant the royal treatment at the concert, the lavish hotel, the limo, and the gift baskets. But deep down, I was thanking him for reminding me that fire still existed in the world.

He actually stumbled back a step before recovering. “Ah, yes. The experience.” He dropped his voice, but the whisper did nothing to hide his dejection. “You’re welcome, Evan.” Turning toward the bar, he gave me his back.

That was the end. I’d apologized, and now, I just needed to make my getaway.

And, as soon as we got home, I needed to start job-hunting immediately.

But, regardless of what I told myself, my feet wouldn’t move.

My hands wouldn’t stop aching for him.

My mouth still craved his.

My eyes couldn’t even look away from his back.

Walk away.

I took a step toward him.

Jesus Christ. Go to f*cking bed.

Another step.

The pounding of my heart probably could have been heard from across the room. And the closer I got, the more I could feel the heat of his fire searing my skin.

You know how this will end. There won’t even be enough of you left to identify the body.

Another step.

It could be strictly physical. That’s probably all he wants anyway. Where’s the harm in casual sex? Shannon, you dumbass. That is the harm in casual sex.

Another step.

He must have felt me. “Jesus Christ, what now?” he snapped, turning to face me.

I was only inches away.

“Wh-what are you doing?”

“Evan,” I prompted. “Say it.”

“Oh, for f*ck’s sake. I’m going to catch pneumonia if you go from hot to cold one more time.”

But what Henry couldn’t possibly know was that there was nothing cold about me when it came to him. No matter how hard I tried to fake it.

My head was still a jumbled mess, but my body had finally won the tug-of-war.

Closing the last step of distance between us, I loomed over him. “Repeat the question, and use my name this time.”

His head tipped back to maintain eye contact, and a new confidence transformed his voice. “What are you doing, Evan?”

“I have no f*cking idea. Probably making some really bad career decisions.”

A smile split his mouth as he swayed toward me, bringing his chest to mine. “Your job”—he brushed his nose against mine—“is safe. Stop talking about it and tell me how long I have until the ice storm hits again.”

My lips twitched. “At least until the sun comes up.”

“Then we better get busy.” He winked.

Nerves surged in my stomach, but I dipped my chin in a nod.

He immediately found the hem of my shirt and peeled it over my head, groaning as he visually fondled my every muscle. “Christ. Your f*cking body.”

“Evan,” I reminded.

He smirked, sweeping his lips across mine before breathing, “Evan.”

That was all it took. I crushed my mouth to his. And, this time, I knew I wouldn’t be stopping.

Tangling my fingers in the back of his hair, I gave it a tug to tip his head back. “What are you doing to me?” I asked, moving my assault to his neck, nipping and biting as I trailed down to his shoulder.