Down With Cupid Shorts Bundle by Melissa Blue Page B

yet.”
    “Oh. Ok. Congratulations, either way. I really need to make these calls. So…”
    “Nicole,” he said softly with a hint of anger. “I’m not into playing games. If you’re mad at me about something, say so.”
    “Who pitched the idea for you to be my co-publicity manager? And was it before or after you found out it was me?”
    “After and mine. You’re the top publicist at Limelight.” He didn’t even blink.
    Anger curled around her aching heart. “Now all I want to know is was it your idea or hers to fuck me into submission? Just in case I decided to point out what was promised to me and make a fuss, ruining the deal?”
    His chin slanted to the side as if she slapped him. Doubt niggled its way in, but then Sebastian’s gaze went arctic. He stalked to the desk and bent down, so they were eye to eye. “You have me dead to rights, huh? Tell me, why didn’t you see it coming? You should know.”
    She flinched. “I do know, because I was paying attention during your boogey-man tale. It still pisses me off.”

    *****

    Nicole didn’t know the meaning of the phrase, Sebastian decided. Pissed off? He wanted to hit back with something scathing, a single sentence that would scorch the earth between them. Yet, he knew some things you could never take back. No matter how much you tried to rectify them. They’d stay there, sour in your mouth and heavy in your heart.
    Her words kept digging deeper in his gut and tightened his chest. The reaction would have ended there if Sebastian couldn’t see behind the anger to the hurt. He shouldn’t have cared, because that was the man he needed her to see: the ruthless, get what you want at any price man. He made sure of it. His heart and libido had co-conspired against his better judgment. It didn’t want to let that weekend stand as something perfect two people had shared. All the while, his head had told him to let it go. No. He hadn’t listened.
    He brushed aside the ache in his heart. This was for the best. Might as well end it now before he was really up shit’s creek. Before he began to consider slowing down, changing the way he lived. He should be grateful. And he would be. As soon as the taste of her faded from his memory. Since he knew two months wouldn’t do it, he had to look forward to a very hard next six months, at least.
    He fucking hated it.
    Her face had smoothed into a mask of professionalism and nothing penetrated the facade. The simple truth—she didn’t want him to have any part of the business. The ache dug deeper. Sebastian didn’t want all of Limelight, although he could have asked for it. He didn’t want to cut her out, because she loved this crazy job, this crazy business and specifically Limelight. He kept that in mind throughout the negotiations. A weakness. He had asked for a split that would leave equal shares between himself, Nicole and Anna, knowing the owner would do the right thing. And, Nicole knew—she had to know he’d want a piece of the business. Still, a piece was too much for her.
    Sebastian straightened. “As a favor, because I still do have a lot of respect for you and the work you do, I’m going to forget this conversation. Hard feelings would only get in the way of what we do best.”
    She picked up her phone, tapped the screen. “Already past it. Like I said, earlier, keep me updated.”
    Sebastian had to force himself to turn around and leave; he’d seen the tremble in her fingers. Two months ago things between them were over as they should have been the moment the hotel door clicked closed behind her. This interlude between them had a momentary relapse. Nothing more. A one night stand that had lasted a few more days than necessary. One that involved a few too many secrets and intimacies, and pesky emotions that made him want things he hadn’t in long time. He’d get over it.
    He didn’t acknowledge there shouldn’t have been anything to get over. Instead he turned off the mute button, because