CHAPTER 9

Three words, utterly destructive words spoken casually by Mr Hot McCullen.

He leaned forward, his thumb stroking my cheeks in measured strokes, racing a tremor from the nape of my neck down my spine, a wave of molten heat surging through my groin threatening a reckless throb.

I gulped.

“I’ve never felt a pull like this,” he added, his eyes rendering my body useless. “You derail me, Robin. I don’t like being distracted, yet here you are.”

He still had his hand caressing my face.

Oh God. Where was Lana?

I shuddered beneath his touch, my body overwhelmed with lust. I was helpless—completely undone by this man. I barely managed to pull away before his strong arms locked around my waist, preventing any escape.

A soft moan escaped my lips.

Keep it together!

“I don’t want you,” I lied. His grip compelling me to further cling to the solid curve of his biceps.

“Stop deceiving yourself,” he whispered, calmly. “I see it, Robin. I feel it.”

I leaned closer to him, his arms pushing me against his chest. His scent, fresh water with a mix of oud…clean, masculine, intoxicating wrapped around me, I closed my eyes and drank him in. Our hearts pounding in sync, as we stared in each other’s eyes.

“Last night, you were willing me on, you craved me.”

He leaned in, his lips brushing softly against mine before I shoved him away, my miniature hands pushing as far as they could.

“Stop.” His face hardened instantly.

“I don’t want you. I don’t want this—whatever this is,” I said, forcing steel into my voice. “Can I have my purse now?”

“Come pick it up on Monday.”

I stared at him, bewildered. Petty much?

“You can’t be serious.”

My hands flew up, frustrated and in shock by his impudence. I felt like punching his perfect face.

“You heard me.”

He slipped his hands into his pockets, utterly unmoved.

“Argh! you’re unbelievable, Jack!” I raked my hand through my hair, boiling with irritation.

His head moved in an almost imperceptible nod, as if to relish in my frustration. He closed the distance between us in one long stride. He leaned in, his voice was dark, unhurried, and sensual. His hot breath stabbing my skin, bristling in his wake. He nuzzled my hair with purpose and whispered into my ear.

 “You’re going to want me, Robin,” he whispered. “You’re going to scream. You’re going to beg me as I fuck you. Hard. I will make sure of it.” A sharp rush of fire crashed low in my groin.

He softly kissed my cheek, sending shivers down my spine, settling down in my tensed groin. I felt my legs going weak as a pulse throbbed painfully between my thighs. He stepped back slowly, satisfaction curling into a smug smile.

He enjoyed torturing me.

“And I’m never leaving you alone, Ms. Clay. Have a good day. I’ll be expecting you in my office on Monday”.

 And then he was gone.

I collapsed onto the couch, my legs unable to hold my entire body steady. I wouldn’t survive being alone with him.

And that terrified me.

******

“Ugh… Daddy sent another email reminder about our periodic family dinner.”

How on earth was I going to keep my job and keep Jack at arm’s length?

“Robin?”

Should I just quit? Ask Mr. Betton to pull strings one more time? somewhere safer, one that won’t leave me quivering all over like a leaf?

“Robin!”

Lana’s scream cut through my spiralling thoughts, I snapped my head up and looked at her, puzzled.

I blinked.

“Sorry, what?

“Are you okay? You seemed… lost in thought. Where’s Jack? I didn’t hear him leave.”

“He left. I’m fine. What did you say, Lana?”

“We have dinner with my parents tomorrow. You up for it?”

“Of course,” I said quickly without hesitation. “Not missing it.”

Betton weekend dinners were a tradition. Weekly meetings with Lana’s parents were non-negotiable—a way to strengthen the bond they shared with their only child. Back in college, it had been easy and fun. Now? Not so much. The meetings had grown redundant and eventually stopped months ago. Apparently, Mr. Betton was determined to revive them.

‘Quality time with family is necessary. Because family is everything.’

I’d remember that mantra any day. It was Mr. Betton’s little obsession with family values. Lana, of course, had spent years resisting them, proving her independence tooth and nail. I wonder what had changed.

“Why are we going this time?” I asked, my voice piqued with curiosity. “You’ve been avoiding them for a while now.”

“I know.” She sighed and sank beside me in the couch.

“All he wants is to continue the relationship you two have. You can have a relationship with your dad and be your own person, Lana.”

“You know that’s not true, Robin. He wants to control everything – my career, my relationships. I can’t let him have that much power over me. And he uses these meetings as an excuse to remind me of it.”

“I’m sorry you feel that way,” I said softly. “But I also see a father who loves his child to the bone who would do anything for you. Please don’t let pride or this obsession with independence make you lose that.” I smiled sweetly at her.

I wish with all my heart I still had my parents around.

We sat in silence.

I wondered if my little sermon had even made a dent. Lana had a way of listening intently… and taking nothing from it.

“Is it something you’d consider?” I asked, sinking my teeth into my bottom lip.

“For you… I’ll try.” She leaned in and gave me a warm hug.

“So… what happened with Jack?” she asked in my hair, instantly releasing me.

I shrugged, unwilling to speak.

“What do you mean by that? What did he want?”

“Me!”

Lana’s brow shot up. “He wants you??”

I nodded.

“And of course, he lied about bringing over my purse. He’s crazy if he thinks I’m going to bend to his whims!” I felt a surge of anger at the audacity.

He had no respect for his girlfriend or me.

“He has a girl, doesn’t he?”

“Does being in a relationship stop men from taking what they want? Definitely not Jack. He thinks he can get whatever he wants, whenever he wants it. He’s so arrogant.”

Lana scoffed. “With a face that perfect? I bet he usually does.”

“Well, not with me,” I said firmly. “He’s not going to have me.”

Lana chuckled. “Robin, the sexual tension between you two is crazy. Anyone with eyes can see it.”

“Don’t be absurd, Lana…you shouldn’t be encouraging this.”

She arched an eyebrow. “So…what the fuck are you going to do about ‘he not having you’?”

“Make sure I’m never alone with him. I can’t frolic around with him. He’s not going to take me seriously; he just wants to assert control and take me because he could… and I’m repulsed with myself for being attracted to him.”

 “That’s progress…admitting you’re attracted to him!”

“I never said he would have me, though!”

“I sure hope so, Robin. Just don’t be in denial.”

I wasn’t. Was I?

“Get me another mug of coffee.” I huffed. “Ugh… when does this end?”

 I felt a pinch of mild headache kicking back in. I got up, following her to the kitchen.

She was going to suffer the repercussions of my hangover with me—oh, she would.

“You know what they say about first times.”

“What do they say?”

“It’s always the hardest.”

“Fuck you.”

She laughed, a rich teasing sound before winking at me, collecting the mug from the coffee machine.

“Here.” Lana said, placing the coffee gently in my hand.

“I’m never doing this again with you.”

“You’ll be fine. Trust me. Lay down a bit… and let yourself drift, imagining a strikingly tall, flawless, chiselled Adonis.”

Lana left the kitchen with her MacBook in tow, leaving me fuming on the kitchen stool.

“I’m very much done with you!” I yelled after her.

I took a swig of my coffee and swivelled to grab a towel for the little spill at the corners of my mouth.

Alone, with my spiralling thoughts, flashbacks of Jack’s words rushed back to me.

I needed to stay away. I had to.

But all I wanted… was him.

I wanted him…with every fibre of my being.