Total pages in book: 119
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115860 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 579(@200wpm)___ 463(@250wpm)___ 386(@300wpm)
She cocks her head, the wheels in her mind obviously turning. “For what purpose?”
Bloody hell. “Are you always this direct?”
“Are you always this vague?”
My “seduction” is becoming a proper mess. How the fuck do I pretend mild interest for the woman who incites an unrelenting, clawing desire? I have to be flirtatious, but I don’t dare touch her. I’m well aware how magical men instinctively find their mates.
I fear one kiss would be my doom.
“I’m trying to say that you interest me without you filing a harassment complaint.”
That makes her laugh. “Interest you in what way? I’ll tell you if you cross the line.”
“In every way imaginable.” That, I don’t have to lie about. The lingerie she wore earlier tells me without a doubt that she has a gorgeous body I’d kill to touch. She fascinates me, from the wicked arch of her auburn brows to her small, pink-painted toes. The woman brims with intelligence. The way she asks questions, deduces the truth quickly, yet still carries herself with undeniable sensuality dazzles me. And her zest… Have I ever attacked each day with such passion? Certainly not since serving overseas and being one of the few survivors of my platoon. Perhaps not even since my younger brother’s tragic death.
“So…more than professionally?” she asks.
I shrug, hating the need to be coy. “We work together, so the situation requires caution. I hoped we could…get to know one another first, then see if we wanted to pursue more.”
Her eyes narrow. “This is the first I’ve heard or seen of any interest beyond the professional.”
“I’ve tried to keep unprofessional thoughts to myself at the office.” That’s the truth. Hopefully, it’s enough to satisfy her curiosity.
I should have known better.
“You’ve had them, have you?”
“You’re a beautiful woman.”
“Thank you.” My flattery only sharpens her gaze. “But your interest seems…sudden.”
“I could tell you my first thought after meeting you, but it’s definitely not fit for the office.”
Sydney faces me, tucking one leg under her and anchoring her arm across the back of the sofa, her fingers tantalizingly close to my shoulder. Just her nearness makes my cock swell and throb.
“Is that so? All right, I’ll play along,” she murmurs. “I’ve had similar thoughts.”
“I thought so yesterday. In your office. It was in your eyes.”
“So that’s why you decided to say something now?”
“Yes.” It sounds reasonable, despite the fact I sensed her interest almost from the moment we met.
“So what do you think we should do next?”
“Take it slow. Get to know each other, then decide if we want to proceed, so we don’t jeopardize our working relationship.”
“Hmm. Very mature and gentlemanly.”
I hope she believes me…but one look at her and I resist the urge to wince. Something is going on in that head of hers.
“But let me make certain I understand. I’m to believe that you’ve had lascivious thoughts since meeting me, but hid them until you…either broke into HR’s records to find my address or followed me home, either of which shows an amazing dedication to seducing me. Then, rather than asking me to lunch or coffee during the workday, you knocked on my door on a Saturday morning and looked me up and down as if you’d like to strip me bare in the foyer. And you did all this so that we can take our relationship slowly? Have I got that right?”
Bloody hell. I should have guessed she would see through my ruse. I clench my fists. My brain goes into overdrive. How do I repair the damage and salvage my mission?
I clear my throat. “What I’d like to do and what’s wise are two different things.”
“Often, yes. But let me tell you what I think is happening: You insulted Jamie because he’s a slacker, and you object to them as a rule. Very against your military background. You want to be a part of the magickind war story for some reason, and you’re fixated on my source of information. When I refused to let you tag along, you decided to resort to a halfhearted seduction in an attempt to hoodwink me into changing my mind. Is that closer to the truth?”
Fuck. I’ve been involved in undercover missions easier to pull off than this. She’s definitely too smart. I have to step up my game…or go down in flames.
“What’s happening is that I’m far more attracted to a colleague than I’m proud of, and the things I want to do to you would make every one of your pert little freckles blush. I tried to stay professional because I need this job, but when I realized the attraction was mutual, I couldn’t stay silent. I didn’t mention my feelings at the office because it’s inappropriate. Neither of us wants to start gossip, right? And as much as I’d love to strip you naked in the next three minutes, I don’t want to simply shag you. That wouldn’t help me to know you better. Yes, I’m interested in your source about the magical war story because I understand war, and let’s face it, a woman claiming such things is intriguing, if a bit mad. But I’m also not trying to rush you to bed because I don’t want to build artificial intimacy simply to get my way. I want you to choose to make me your partner at the office, regardless of our personal relationship.”