You and I Alone by Melissa Toppen Page B

say, stepping into the small space and closing the door behind me. He doesn't attempt to look at me as I take a seat in one of the chairs sitting directly across from him.
                  “You didn't hurt me.” He surprises me by actually speaking.
                  “Then maybe you could explain to me why you are treating me like this.” I challenge, straightening my posture.
                  “I'm just disappointed in you, that's all.” He says, scribbling his signature on the document in front of him and then flipping to the next page without looking up at me.
                  “Disappointed in me?” I question, a little taken back by his words.
                  “Logan, I am extremely busy. Can you please go now?” He says, scribbling on another paper and then thumbing through a few more pieces.
                  “No.” I say, my voice clipped.
                  “No?” He questions, finally meeting my gaze.
                  “I am not leaving here until we resolve this. I care about you Josh. I consider you a friend and I want things to be okay between us.” I say honestly.
                  “A friend.” He states, his mouth pulling up in smile that is the furthest thing from happy. “You fuck all your friends?” His words are riddled with anger and it isn't until this moment, that I see how upset he really is.
                  “Don't.” I say, my own anger showing through. “You knew what this was going in. You knew that we would never be anymore than what we were. And yes, I do consider you a friend. I care about you deeply. But don't pretend like I somehow led you into this arrangement under false pretenses.”
                  “Bentley fucking Reed Logan!” His words cut through the small office and echo off the walls around us as the last remaining hold on his temper snaps away. “Of all people.” He pauses, meeting my gaze with dark eyes. “I know him Logan. I know what he does to girls like you. I've seen it, multiple times. So tell me, what happens when he makes you want everything that he is and then pulls the rug out from underneath you and leaves you more broken than you were when he got here? What happens when he promises you the world and then breaks every single promise? What happens when it all falls apart around you and you have no one left to pick up the pieces?”
                  “We were kissing Josh.” I say, unable to sit any longer. Pushing myself out of the chair, I hover at the edge of the desk. “It's not like I intend on marrying the man. Hell, I don't even know him. I'm not even entirely sure I want to know him. So why don't you tell me what this is really about?” My tone is clipped as I cross my arms in front of my chest and wait for him to respond.
                  He pushes into a slow stand, his eyes finding mine and not blinking away for even a second. “Get out of my office Logan.” He warns.
                  “Not until we settle this.” I say, ready to stand here the entire night if that's what it takes.
                  “For fuck sake Logan. Are you that fucking blind?” He screams across the desk at me, his voice taking on a nervous shake. “When I saw you two together, I felt like someone gutted me. I wasn't prepared to feel that.” He says. “I know we aren't exclusive. I know that you don't want a relationship. But that doesn't mean that it didn't slice me to my core to see you in his arms.” He takes a deep breath as if to steady himself. “And yes, I was disappointed in you. Because I thought you were different. I have watched countless woman fall at that man's feet and you know what, it never bothered me. But you.” He says, his gaze softening. “I thought.... Hell, I don't know what I thought.”
                  “Josh.” I say softly, taking a step