Is this some kind of weird blackmail or something? He’s holding me hostage by making me feel like I don’t have control over anything. I’m not used to this, even if my freedom before was only an illusion. I’d never known anyone to take the time to get to know me like this. But it’s been happening all along without my knowledge. I assumed it’s been me watching out for me as long as I could remember.

Until Paige came into my life, and then I thought we were watching out for each other. While I know she has a father, he was never around, nor did she seem to want him around. So when we became close, I thought it was because of our shared past. Not because she was paid to be there.

I breathe a sigh of relief when the meeting finally ends. Basically, this was a company announcement to talk about our quarterly goals for the end of the year and keep our shareholders informed of future plans. I didn’t absorb much of what was being said, what with feeling his eyes on me the whole time.

I glance over and Oz stands up, looking like he’s going to come toward me, and I’m out of my chair, working my way through the crowd of people.

Before I get more than a few steps, Skyler grabs my arm.

“Lunch?”

“Not here,” I say, and even I can hear the desperation to get out of here in my voice.

She nods and I follow her out past the crowd and through the glass lobby. Once we get outside and fresh air greets my lungs, I can breathe. We walk down the street to a little bakery. I get a banana nut muffin and coffee. We sit down, and I pick at the muffin, not wanting it even though I should be hungry. I didn’t eat much this weekend, but my body doesn’t care. An anxious ball still sits in my stomach, squeezing sporadically.

My plans are not working out like I wanted them to. Go to work, do your job and quit after a little while seems easier said than done now.

Skyler plays on her phone while she eats her sandwich, smiling away at whoever she’s talking to. I look down at mine and see another text from Oz, but I power it off, tossing it into my purse. When we’re done, I throw my coffee cup and the rest of my muffin in the trash. I look up afterward and see Captain leaning against the far wall of the coffee shop, looking my way. He’s wearing a perfectly tailored black suit, and all I can think about is how he almost looks like an FBI agent or something. He’s way too big not to stand out, and if he’s trying to blend in, it’s not working.

I study him for a second before turning and following Skyler out of the coffee shop and back to our office. I wonder if he’s following me or getting coffee. A lot of people that work in the building come here because it’s the closest. So I try to pretend his being there isn’t about me.

When I get back to my desk, I drop my purse in a drawer before heading to the ladies’ room. I don’t make it two feet into the bathroom and Oz is on me, shutting the door behind him.

“Don’t.” I try to move around him, but he blocks me from leaving. Caging me in.

The next thing I know, his mouth is on mine.

Like every other time he’s kissed me, my body melts into his and I open for him easily. It’s as if I have no control over my body. I forget that I’m mad at him. His lips are warm and needy, filled with so much possession and claiming, like he is trying to consume me with his kiss, and I want to give him what he’s asking for. I want to comfort him and make it all better, but then I remember why I hate him.

I push on his solid wall of a chest, but he kisses me deeper like it’s impossible to separate us. Soon I’m wrapping my fingers into his shirt and kissing him back hard. It’s nearly punishing, and all he does is take. It’s everything I want, but shouldn’t.

He moans into my mouth then pulls away and kisses down my neck. He moves his lips lower, going to the V of my blouse, down to the valley between my breasts. “I’ve missed you so much,” he whispers, giving me soft flicks of his tongue. “You can’t leave me.”

His words are like an ice bath and bring me back to reality. I push him hard this time and release my fingers from his shirt. He goes back half a step, and I look up at him, reminding myself I don’t know this man at all.

“Don’t push me away, Mallory.” His tone is firm. A warning just like this morning in the elevator.

“Just leave me alone. I can’t do this right now. And I definitely can’t do it here,” I bite out at him, having forgotten for a moment where we are. Then I wonder if anyone saw him slip into the bathroom with me. It’s not like the man isn’t noticeable, and I’m sure people pay attention when he walks through the department.

“I can’t leave you alone.” The way he says it makes a chill run up my spine. There’s so much need in his voice. Possession. It’s like he can’t live without me, and I don’t know what to do with that. “You’ll hear me out.” He moves back in, crowding into my space again. One hand comes up to my cheek, cupping it, and it takes everything in me not to lean into his touch. “I never meant to hurt you. All I’ve ever wanted from the moment I laid eyes on you was to give you everything.”

I close my eyes tightly so his deep blue eyes don’t pull me back in. When I open them back up, I’m determined.

“Give me time,” I say, the words paining me as they come out of my mouth.

His hand drops away and he nods, taking a step back. He grits his teeth, and it looks like he’s a breath away from snapping.

“I’ve given you a lot of time, Mallory. More than you know. I’ll try, but you do things to me. Things...” He waves one hand in the air like he can’t find the word he’s looking for. “Things I can’t explain.” So much emotion plays across his face, I have to look away and remind myself he’s not who I think he is.