CHAPTER SEVEN

Working with Millicent had been surprisingly pleasant. I had been apprehensive about assisting at first because of my lewd attraction to her boyfriend. Nonetheless, our conversations never revolved around him and for that I was thankful. She had no clue about Jack and me, and I wanted it to remain that way for as long as possible. Besides, I was on a deliberate journey to forgetting him entirely. Her directions and explanations of how things were run in the chemical lab were exceptional. With Claire still away and Millicent sporadically around after I’d adjusted to the lab’s operations, I carried the workload of two people. It left me mostly exhausted—which was a much-needed distraction, one that is helping expunge Jack from my senses.

I had been successful in my quest to avoid Jack for three full weeks, no matter what it took, and it seemed to be working. My consolation was, McCullen Heights and the confectionery factory were far apart—not an impossible distance, but distance enough that I didn’t have to fear running into him unexpectedly.

The first few days were torture, no doubt. He had stopped by the apartment on countless occasions to see me, but Lana had offered succession of excuses to cover for me and get him off my back. Jack had been relentless, and I was petrified that seeing him would undo every ounce of willpower I’d mustered and leave me at his mercy. I wouldn’t survive.

Avoidance seemed to be the only logical solution, and it was working…for now. I didn’t know how long the subterfuge would last, but however long it took, I was hell-bent on staying away from the Adonis—until he was completely out of my system.

If only it was that simple.

Lana was meeting me in half an hour for lunch just across the street from McCullen Confectionery. I wouldn’t know when she arrived until the lab intercom buzzed.

God, I needed my phone.

The intercom chimed just after I finalized my last chemical test. I stood up, and straightened my stiff and aching body. The numbness had completely settled into my nerves, dulling by stillness and leaving my limbs strangely vacant of sensation. I massaged them until the feeling slowly returned. I slipped out of my lab coat onto the hanger and responded to the intercom, before meeting Lana downstairs.

Moments later, we were seated in an open spot outside the restaurant. We ordered a BLT sandwiches with fries, and an orange juice on the side.

“Jack called me today at school fuming, just when I was preparing for a lab with my students.”

“What did he want?” I inquired, surprised by his persistence.

“You, Robin. And I don’t know how long we can keep up this play.”

“He’ll get exhausted and cease pursuing me. I assure you.” I said, sighing. Don’t they all?

“I doubt he’s the type to concede, Robin. He said your running only delays the inevitable.”

“It’s strange, you know …he’s never been to the confectionery.”

“Maybe he doesn’t want to encourage an office romance,” Lana said with a wink.

“Thank you,” I said, ignoring Lana and nodding to the waiter as he gingerly set our plates down.

“I mean…I don’t get it.”

“Millicent?” A faint crease appeared between Lana’s brows.

“Oh,” I muttered, realization plummeting hard into my stomach. I dropped my gaze, shoulders slumping against my seat. “I mean, it made all the sense…”

“Holy crap!” Lana exclaimed, chuckling softly as she spotted a tall man approaching our table.

“What is it?” I asked.

“Jack!”

Holy fuck, shit and holy cow.

“Did you tell him we’d be here?” I said, shifting nervously in my seat. How the hell did he know we’d be here?

“I didn’t. He practically owns the entire domain, Robin.”

Shit.  

I felt him getting closer, because I instantly feel his deep sapphires eyes burning holes at my back and Lana’s eyes lifting upwards, to accommodate his towering height.

“Good day, ladies,” he husked, his eyes lingering on me. I turned away my face, feeling the heat creeping through my body, and settling on my cheeks, burning like crimson-hot metal pressed against my skin. I picked up a stray piece of lettuce, nibbling on the edges to steady myself. I didn’t know what to fucking do!

“Lana,” Jack murmured, nodding at her. Then he crouched beside me, his hand settling firmly on my thigh, a sharp throb pulsed through my groin.

“Escape is often an illusion,” he whispered, a smug smile playing on his lips. His fingers ran slowly up through my hair, each touch leaving me a tangled mess of desire. He reached for the nape of my neck and pulled me closer to his mouth.

“How loud will you beg when I fuck you?” he said, placing a soft kiss on my cheek. My face instantly flaring crimson.

“Grace period’s over, Robin,” he purred. “You won’t run from me anymore.”

He squeezed my thigh one last time before releasing his grip. I gasped, my legs –a shaky mess under the table.

“I’ll leave you ladies to it,” he said, straightening his suit. “Enjoy.”

He turned sharply, clearly satisfied he’d made his point unmistakably clear.

I downed a large gulp of juice, trying to calm my disoriented state. I hated how easily he affected me. My body was useless around him, disobeying every and all instruction.

“You’re burning up,” Lana said with a sly smile. “The sexual tension is off the roof with you two.”

“He’s not going to have me Lana. I assure you.” I said, popping a fry in my mouth.

“I hope so,” she teased, sipping on her juice.

As I sat across the table staring at my best friend, I knew for a fact that Jack McCullen would be the end of me.