Law #2: Don't Play with a Player: A Sweet Office Romance Story (Laws of Love) by Agnes Canestri (web ebook reader .txt) 📕

So for me, our scores are even. I wouldn’t take pleasure in hurting Morgan any more than necessary for her to realize that she and I are never going to happen.

Morgan runs a finger on her collarbone. “We don’t need words. I’ll be satisfied if you put your mouth to a different use.” She launches forward, pressing her palms on my chest.

I snatch her wrists and lower them gently but firmly to her side.

“Morgan, I’m not interested in any of this.”

She points at my empty bed. “But why? I could hear through the wall that you came back alone from the party. This means that seducing your mousy colleague didn’t turn out as you hoped.”

“I’ve told you not to speak about Laia in these terms.” I keep my voice even but add a menacing edge to it.

Morgan rolls her eyes. “As I said, I’m not here to judge. If you want to get into Laia’s pants because she has a certain schoolgirl charm, I’m not saying you shouldn’t. But tonight you won’t be able to. So why not take advantage of us being in a room together, away from the prying eyes? You used to be pretty crazy about me.”

As I stare at her expression, which is an odd mix of self-confidence and self-doubt, an unexpected feeling settles in my chest.

I’m sorry for Morgan.

My ex clearly doesn’t know who I am or what I want, but I’m sure she doesn’t understand herself and her own wishes. That’s why she cheated on me in college, and that’s why she would be ready to betray her husband with me now.

Not knowing your real needs is a dark place to be in.

I should know. I wasted several years in this smug ignorance until Laia taught me that I need to change and have the power to do so. I ignore my initial flare of hostility that Morgan’s snarky remark about Laia triggered, and go for pure honesty.

“Laia isn’t a lustful fantasy for me, Morgan. I love her. That tabloid article you read? It was right about me. I am ready to settle. With Laia.”

Her jaw drops. “You love her? But she is short and so…plain.”

“No, she isn’t plain. She’s witty, kind, and incredibly sweet. And she’s beautiful to me. Inside and out.”

Morgan’s lips curl down. “So that’s a no for us then?”

I nod. “Indeed. But it would’ve been even if Laia weren’t in my life.”

“Huh, want to twist the knife of rejection deeper, huh?” Morgan asks with a hurt glint in her eyes. “Are you punishing me because I cheated on you? I thought you said you forgave me.”

“I did,” I say. “I just meant that I’m not the same man I was in college, so I would turn down your offer anyway.”

Morgan sniffs. “Certainly. In college, you loved slender, tall, and blonde. That’s clearly not your taste now.”

Though her words are cynical and probably meant to vex me, I don’t get irritated because I see she’s only lashing out due to her hurt pride.

I shake my head.” Morgan, I know you won’t restore the magic you miss in your marriage by hopping into bed with me, or with anyone else who isn’t your husband. I’ve been down the road of volatile pleasure. I never managed to fill the void in my chest with flings.”

While one single kiss from Laia, the woman I love, gorged it entirely.

This proves that the act of love without actual emotion only brings brief happiness at best.

Morgan snorts. “Quite frankly, I would take volatile pleasure over no pleasure in a heartbeat. It’s not my fault Theo became dull. I won’t feel guilty for wanting to have fun while I’m still young.”

Morgan needs to realize that her past actions led her to the present she’s living, and if she’s unsatisfied with her life, then first, it’s her who needs to change.

Like Ellie told me, to find someone special, you need to start acting like you’re worthy of it.

But I’m not the right person to teach Morgan this lesson, as I’m still just a student of it at best.

Also, I have the feeling my ex isn’t ready to listen to such advice anyway.

I cock my head toward the door. “Morgan, I think it’s best if you returned to your room now. We’ll pretend you were never here.”

She works her jaw then nods. “Fine. But just for the record”—she gives me a weak, bitter smile—“it’s still your loss.”

“I know. But I can live with that.”

Morgan snorts and, her chin high, sashays to the door and pulls it open. “Good-bye, Dev. Thanks for the…chat.”

As the door shuts, I realize I’m the one who should’ve thanked her for this discussion.

Talking with Morgan made me see even clearer how right the path I’ve chosen with Laia is.

Rushing Laia wouldn’t only force her into something for which she isn’t ready yet, but it could leave me feeling empty. I would miss out on savoring each vital step on the way to really getting to know her.

Yes, waiting for my love isn’t just the demonstration of my feelings to her as I first believed.

No, it’s also for my own benefit.

Chapter 46

(Devon)

The next morning, after a night spent with marvelous dreams, I’m ready to start the first official day of my relationship with Laia.

I take a shower and proceed with shaving. I catch myself grinning foolishly in the mirror, but I can’t help it.

The water has never felt so good on my skin, and no fluorescent bathroom light has ever shone this enchantingly. I’m aware that my exuberant mood might be distorting my perception of things, but I don’t mind it one bit.

I pass the razor at least three times to make my chin extra-smooth. I wouldn’t want to irritate Laia’s soft skin with my stubble.

I rinse my face and dab it into a white, fluffy towel. I put on a pair of dark jeans and am about to slide on my polo shirt when a loud knock echoes in the