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`` just you being in here ... '' `` i 'm only arrogant if i 'm wrong . ''
`` wrong about what ? ''
i feel the urge to pull my hair again but do n't want to give him the satisfaction .
`` wrong about you wanting me .
let 's give it a test- '' he narrows his eyebrows , studying me .
`` i 'm going to kiss you now , and all you have to do is tell me to stop . ''
`` what ?
that 's crazy .
not to mention you just fucked dana , and now you expect me to kiss you ? ''
i protest , but he steps toward me .
i try to pull backward but i 'm already pressed against my bedpost .
desire unfurls deep in my stomach as his eyes lock onto mine .
`` if it 's crazy , just tell me to stop , '' he whispers teasingly , and moves closer .
his musky scent fills my nose and my mind begins to swim .
i feel wetness trickling down my thigh as he curls his arms around me , grasping the bedpost with both hands behind my lower back .
he 's so close to me .
i can feel heat radiating off him .
his legs and chest sink against me and he moves his lips toward mine .
just a few inches between nate thornhill 's mouth and mine .
now an inch .
now two centimeters ... i can feel his warm breath against my partially open lips ...
`` stop . ''
i whisper .
he freezes but does n't pull away , as though he ca n't believe what he 's just heard .
though truthfully , i 'm marveling at my own restraint .
i can feel his erection against my thigh-i know he wants me , too .
now i can beat him at his own game .
i lean forward slightly , allowing my lips to brush against his as i speak , `` unless you do n't want to . ''
his eyes , which were focused on my lips , flick back up to meet mine .
i force myself to stay steady even as i 'm consumed by the lust in his gaze .
he stares at me for a moment , then pushes off the bedpost and steps back .
he opens his mouth , about to say something , but nothing comes out .
i remain pressed against the bedpost as he turns and moves toward the door .
without looking back , he shuts it behind him .
i stumble forward and take a deep breath .
it 's like he takes all the air out of the room and i ca n't breathe when he 's around .
i ca n't believe i just rejected him .
i 'm stunned , but i also feel like giving myself a standing ovation .
i just resisted the advances of nate thornhill , my fantasy of almost three years .
i should win a willpower award .
i knew that if i 'd let him kiss me , i would forever lose any kind of power in our relationship .
i 'd be just be another pathetic girl who fell for his charms .
of course , the downside is that i 'm more turned on than i 've ever been in my life , and i 'm alone with a book again .
i sigh and crawl back onto my bed .
i have a feeling that whatever is happening between me and my stepbrother , i have n't seen the end of it yet .
chapter seven `` i 'm so happy there 's another girl working here ! ''
constance says , swiveling around on her desk chair .
she 's my new cubicle mate , and one of only a handful of other interns at thornhill and co. `` ah , there .
my outlook is finally working , '' i announce , opening the email system on my desktop .
`` so they 'll want you to sign an nda and stuff , but after , want to go to lunch ? ''
she asks .
`` what 's an nda ? ''
i turn to face her .
`` non-disclosure agreement .
there are a ton of senators and big business types who come in here , and you ca n't tell anyone .
very important , '' she says in hushed tones .
she seems very pleased that she 's snagged this coveted internship , which is probably why i have n't told her that i 'm the boss 's stepdaughter .
i 've never benefited from nepotism before , and it feels strange and uncomfortable to me now .
`` oh .
well i 'd love to get lunch later this week , but i 'm having lunch with my friend allison today .
we go to uva together , and she 's got an internship at this urban planning place in georgetown , so i 'm going to meet up with her . ''
`` cool .
georgetown has really good shopping .
i 'd love to go with you sometime .
fashion is like , my side hobby , and you have a stylist 's dream body . ''
`` i do n't think i- '' i begin my canned response to a shopping invitation before i realize that maybe i can afford it .
and constance looks so perfectly chic in her patterned cardigan and statement necklace .
`` you know , that would be wonderful .
i really do n't know what to buy . ''
`` oh , i can help you with that .
but careful not to wear anything too tight around mr. thornhill , '' she adds , rolling her eyes .
`` what do you mean ? ''
i ask with a frown .
`` oh my god , who is that ? ''
constance asks , breaking away from our conversation to stand and peer over our cubicle wall .
i join her to see nate and pierce walking down the hallway together toward the elevator bank .
they must be having lunch together .
`` that 's his son , '' i reply , immediately sitting down again .
`` he looks like a polo model ! ''
constance exclaims , sitting back down .
`` um , what were you saying about pierce-mr. thornhill-just then ? ''
`` well , i 've never had an issue , but maybe he 's just not into asian girls , '' she says , throwing her black hair over her shoulder carelessly .
`` from what i 've heard , though , he has a certain reputation . ''
`` oh , no , '' i reply , worriedly tugging on my hair .
shit .
shit .
i knew he was too good to be true .
`` do n't worry .
from what i 've heard , he 's pretty harmless , he 's just from a different generation when it comes to women around the office-especially young women , '' she adds .
`` mmhm , '' i reply , my mind already spiraling into crisis mode .
`` you ok , brynn ? ''
`` maybe he 's changed , though .
i mean , he 's married now , '' i say , clinging to a speck of hope .
`` yeah , i heard he got married . ''
she shrugs .
`` could be .
i do n't think it 's something that 's been really recent or anything . ''
i nod , feeling slightly mollified .
we both spin back to our computers as we hear footsteps approaching our cubicle .
i glance up to see pierce and nate appear in the opening .