Naleighna Kai's Literary Cafe Magazine NK Literary Cafe 2018 Mother's Day Issue | Page 55

was torn between wanting to lash out at her for what she’d put him through all
those years ago and kissing her senseless. He prided himself on having a good
amount of control, but felt it slipping as the minutes ticked off.
Her pen stilled and she looked up from the pad where she had been writing
notes. “You did.” She rose and retrieved a sheet of paper from her desk.
“Height, six one and weight, two hundred fifteen pounds. Diet consists of fish,
chicken, lean beef and a variety of vegetables and fruits.” She tossed the paper
aside. “Look, Malcolm, I know this is awkward for both of us.”
“Awkward? Is that what this is?” Malcolm leaped to his feet and she
instinctively took a step back. “Awkward doesn’t begin to define what this is.
Why are you here?”
Lauren frowned and folded her arms. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“You could’ve taken a job anywhere. Why here?” he asked through clenched
teeth. “I don’t want you here.”
She placed her hands on her hips and leaned up in his face, her dark brown
eyes flashing with anger. “Because this is where I wanted to work. I was
offered an opportunity few get and taking it meant being closer to my family.
What was I supposed to do? Check with you first? Newsflash, Malcolm Gray,
I don’t need your permission for my job choice, and whether you like it or not,
I plan to be here for a long time!”
Something within him snapped and before his action registered in his brain,
he hauled her into his arms and crushed his mouth against hers in a hungry
and demanding kiss. Malcolm expected Lauren to push him away, slap him
or make some kind of protest…anything, but she didn’t. She kissed him back.
And in the way that drove him crazy, like only she could.
“Malcolm,” Lauren whispered.
Finally, sanity returned and he jumped away from her as if he had been
burned. What the hell am I doing? His breath came in short gasps and his heart
thumped erratically in his chest. His gaze was drawn to Lauren’s lips, still
moist from his kiss and the rapidly beating pulse in her neck, which didn’t help
matters. He needed to leave now. Malcolm stepped around her, crossed the
office in three strides and snatched open the door. He paused and turned back.
“This changes nothing. I still don’t want you here.”
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