As soon as the thought crossed my mind, I quickly shook it off.
Don't get caught up in his sweet talk, Lyra.
I blinked as if to break his hold over me and then glared at him.
Anger beats the other emotion stirring in my body.
"Has anyone ever told you that you're annoyingly arrogant?"
It wasn't a compliment, but Ryan grinned as if I paid him one.
His crooked grin was full of smugness. "It is my best quality."
I stifle an eye roll.
I could list tons of his best qualities, and this wouldn't be one of them.
"Well, it doesn't matter what you say, I am never going to belong to you," I tell him firmly, holding his gaze boldly.
Don't melt into them, I warn myself as I stare into his beautiful blue eyes.
His smile widens, his eyes twinkling like stars. He looks like he's up to no good. "Wanna bet?"
I feel a shiver down my spine at his tone—pure seduction.
Did he have to say it so low, in that bedroom voice?
He's doing it on purpose, I tell you.
I snap out of whatever spell his voice is weaving over me and huff at his words.
Another bet!
No way in hell.
The last bet we had cost me an awkward lunch that scared me for life.
But if I don't, it would look like I'm scared, and I am not.
Hopefully.
"You are on," I smirked at him with a bravado I'm not exactly feeling. Oddly enough, my heart is racing in my chest.
Is that excitement or anxiety?
We'll definitely go with the latter, because I refuse to accept that I am in any way turned on by his games.
Never.
The excitement in his eyes deepens, causing dread to crawl up my skin and seep into my soul.
The look in his eyes spells something bad.
He's definitely up to no good.
Maybe I should tell him I'm no longer interested. We were supposed to be professional, to set boundaries.
Is that how this conversation started? How the hell did we end up with him pinning me against the wall, with a predatory look in his eyes?
"Any rules?"
"Any rules?" I whisper, blinking at him in confusion. Why do we need to set rules for this? And what kind of rules would be required?
He nods. His amusement fades slightly, and in its place is a serious expression.
"I need to know if there are boundaries or anything you don't want me to do?"
Ah! Now, I understand.
The blood in my veins pumps with an excitement I shouldn't be feeling at this point. Not if I want our relationship to be professional.
Then again, something is thrilling about proving to Ryan that he can't have me, no matter what tricks he employs.
Nope, I am going to resist with every fiber of my being.
My heart is in a cage with a big padlock. He's never seducing the lock open.
I am certain.
Don't do this, the party pooper that is my head tries to warn me, but my heart and definitely the rest of my body are having fun with this.
The majority carries the vote.
We are definitely doing this.
I smile at him, trying to mirror his arrogant smirk that he dishes out so effortlessly.
In response, he raises a brow, a smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He looks like he's enjoying himself and a bit eager for what I have to say.
Well, he will not be smiling long when I show him what I am made of.
"You can't force me to do anything I don't want to do."
I feel proud of my stipulation. If he can't force me, he won't win our bet.
I have to not fall for his charms.
We can do this.
He doesn't look the least bit nervous at my words, which again makes me wonder if he is still the same man from my past.
"Deal," he accepts so easily that it makes me narrow my eyes at him suspiciously. He flashes me a devilish smile as he asks, "Has it started?"
I nod, and immediately regret it when I see the mischievous twinkle in his eyes.
I see his head leaning toward me and reach out a hand to stop him.
Ryan stops and gives me a questioning look.
"How long?"
Damn! My voice shakes, and the huskiness betrays how much I am affected by his presence.
He smirks at me as if he knows the reason for the tremble in my voice.
I bet he does.
Am I going to win?
Definitely.
My mental guard is raised now.
"Twenty-four hours," he grins devilishly at me, and then chuckled when I gawked at him.
"Twenty-four hours!" I exclaim, sounding insulted. "You think I am that easy?!"
He shakes his head, his smile disappearing. "Easy? No. But I am certain of my prowess," he brags, bending his head once again.
Damn his arrogance.
Should I stop him?
No. I can withstand anything he throws at me, I think bravely, my hand curling into a fist as I feel his lips on my neck.
Think of peaches!
No, not peaches!
Those are juicy and hardly what I need to be thinking right now.
Broccoli.
Yes!
I hate the damn thing.
They sure will keep my mind off the delicious feel of Ryan's lips as they trail leisurely down my neck.
As Ryan moves his lips toward the front of my neck, I close my eyes, fighting a moan.
His touch feels like the caress of a bird's feather, light but very seductive.
I could feel it in every part of my body, and down below.
Damn!
Why did I agree to torture myself like this? And why the hell is he sucking at my neck?
"Ah!"
The moan slips out before I can stop it.
Shit!
Ryan stops and looks up at me, his eyes twinkling with excitement as he smiles smugly at me.
"What was that?" He teased.
I blinked, suddenly very flustered. "Something was in my throat." I coughed, trying to clear it.
"Mmm." He clearly doesn't believe me, but he doesn't argue.
"Maybe I should try something else," he purrs, leaning back in again.
I stiffen, my body tensed like a drawn bow as I wait for what he has next.
He makes a play for my lips. Bending his head until his lips are slightly over mine, but he doesn't close the gap, leaving me with my breath hanging in my throat, waiting.
I wait, panting, craving it, but not daring to demand it.
How long does he plan to torture me?
Fucking kiss me already!
"Beg me," he whispers, his voice deep and husky.
Ha! Looks like I am not the only one affected.
"In your dreams," I retort! Suddenly, I feel very confident that I can withstand his torture.
"Do you want to know what happens in my dream?" He asked lazily, his fingers moving up my blouse towards my breast.
I stiffen, growing nervous. My body wants his touch; my stiff nipples surely proclaim that, but I am not giving in.
I was mindful of the door being open. Anyone can come around and see us, but I will not be the first to say 'stop'.
As if the universe is in the mood to play around, someone catches us.
"Am I interrupting?" A familiar voice asked from the doorway, and I snapped my head in that direction to find Daniel standing there. He came alone.
Fuck!
This is the second time he's caught me in a compromising position, this time worse than the first.
My face feels like someone set it on fire, and I wish for an earthquake to strike so I could escape this awkward situation.
Why does Daniel always have to come at the worst time?
True to his usual blasé style, Ryan doesn't react to Daniel's sudden appearance; he answers his question in a cutting tone.
"Yes, you are interrupting something."
What the hell! He doesn't have to make it obvious!
I want to slap the back of Ryan's head at his insinuation, but I wouldn't reach it, so I settle for pushing him off me, but the big loafer doesn't budge.
Daniel smiles coldly at Ryan, a smile that doesn't reach his eyes. "Don't you think it's deplorable to force yourself on your employees?"
Ryan's expression hardens as he steps back from me, staring at Daniel like he wants to scorch him with his eyes, and says, "And don't you think it's rude to throw wild accusations, officer?"
The way he says the word 'officer,' like he's mocking Daniel.
Daniel straightens to his full height, which still looks shorter than Ryan's, and glares at my boss with veiled hostility.
"It's not an accusation when I saw it with my own eyes."
"And what makes you think the lady doesn't want it?" Ryan smirked at Daniel, a sly curl of his lips, orchestrated to infuriate the other man, and it worked.
Daniel's expression darkens, and he looks ready to punch Ryan. But his fury vanishes in a second before he says.
"Why don't we ask the lady?"