“No one is trying to hurt me,” I try to tell him, but he doesn’t really hear me.

“Mallory.” He says my name with so much emotion it makes my heart clench. I don’t think anyone has ever said it with so much tender need. “I know I’m a little crazy when it comes to you. Trust me. I know I’m not great with reason, but I can’t control it. I’ve tried. I’ve fucking tried, but it is what it is.”

“What if I don’t like it?” I ask, shifting under him. His eyes roam over me as he moves in a little more.

“I think you don’t want to like it, but a part deep inside of you does, or you wouldn’t be here right now.”

I let his words sink in because I can’t think of an argument against it. I do like his overbearing, controlling ways, although my head thinks I shouldn’t. It makes me feel important to someone. Maybe I’m a little bit crazy, too, wanting and liking that kind of attention. Attention I’ve never had from anyone. The only person other than Oz to give a shit about me is Paige.

“I like parts of it, but, Oz, you can’t control everything. I have to have a little of my own life. Like my job. You’ll stay out of that, right?”

A smile spreads across his face, but I point my finger at him.

“I know I’ve gotten where I am today because of you.”

“That’s not true,” he interrupts. “You’re incredibly smart and would have gotten into any school in the country. I wanted to make sure your path led to me.”

Part of what he’s saying might be true, but I wouldn’t have gotten a full ride to Yale or gotten a job at Osbourne Corp without him. Osbourne Corp didn’t even have internships before last year. I have a suspicion that program was created for me.

“That said, you’re still going to let me do my job and stay out of it,” I tell him, holding firm on this.

“I have to have a guard on you, sweetheart. When word gets out we’re together, that puts a target on your back, and not just for my father, who knows I’m after him. I’m worth a lot of money, and if people know I have a weak spot, they’ll go after it.”

“I’m your weak spot?” I’m not sure how I feel about that. Should I be offended?

“You’re my everything,” he says simply, making me smile.

“It’s hard to be mad at you when you say the sweetest stuff to me.”

“It’s better to give in, baby. I won’t stop coming for you until you do.”

“Promise you won’t interfere with my job,” I ask him, wanting his word.

“I promise to try my best.”

“Miles!” I snap.

He shrugs. “I’ll stay out of your way, but if someone fucks with you.” He shrugs again, like anyone who does fuck with me is fair game.

I roll my eyes because in this moment I see a flash of Paige in him. That’s something she’d say or do. Even she wouldn’t be able to help herself if someone were to fuck with me. But it’s a freaking office internship. I don’t think anyone will be fucking with me in the way Oz is referring to, so I let him have that one.

“I’m still mad at you,” I tell him, folding my arms over my chest.

“Good,” he says, picking me up off the counter and carrying me over to a sofa. “I can work on you not being mad at me for the rest of the weekend.” He drops me onto the sofa and falls to his knees in front of me, then spreads my legs with a hungry look in his eyes. “I’ll start by eating your pussy until you come in my mouth, and then I’ll finish making you breakfast.”

I want to protest, telling him that it won’t work, but the only thing that comes out of my mouth is his name.

* * *

“What’s with you?” I look over at Paige, who looks like she’s got lipstick on as we walk into work. Oz is behind us, giving us a little space. I slipped downstairs early this morning to get ready for work, reminding him that I was walking to work with Paige today, something we’d agreed on after I stayed the night on Sunday—the third night in a row.

Now we’re in the Osbourne building, and I’m trying to get answers from her.

“What?” She shrugs one of her shoulders like she has no idea what I’m talking about. I glance back to see Oz stopping at the front security desk and talking to one of the guards. He gives me a wink as I get on the elevator with Paige.

“You have lip gloss on.”

“My lips were chapped and it’s all I had,” she says defensively. I give her my yeah right face, then I hit the button for my floor and almost hit hers, but she stops me.

“I have to make sure you get to your desk.” She gives me an apologetic smile. “I’m on your service until the end of the day, depending on your night plans,” she finishes.

“Well, my night plans are going home since Oz has already annoyed me.”

“I was told you agreed to have security on you, since you and Oz...” She trails off, clearly not wanting to talk about my banging her brother, and I don’t want her to say it either.

“I did. I did. It seems weird, but I’d rather it be you.” The elevator dings and we both exit. “Lunch?” I ask her, making my way to my desk.

“I’ll text you, but I should be good for lunch unless something comes up. Either way, the cafeteria, right?”

“Yeah, that’s fine,” I tell her, dropping my bag at my desk. “I told Oz I wouldn’t leave the building without letting you or him know.” I’m tempted to call Paige “mom,” but I can tell she’s a little uneasy that this whole security thing might upset me. But really, when I think about it, it doesn’t bother me. I’m just not used to it. A little security won’t hurt if it makes Oz and Paige both feel better.