I sat close enough that my thigh brushed her knee. “I told my designer to keep it simple and then let him do what he wanted. Come here. I’ll warm you up.” I flicked on the gas fireplace with the remote control.
I didn’t think that line would work, but Bridget closed the narrow gap between us and shifted my coat to one side. I put myarm around her shoulders and took one of her small hands in mine. “Better?”
She nestled her head on my shoulder. “Yeah. Your living room is cozier when you’re in it.”
My chest swelled. “That’s nice of you to say.” I squeezed a dab of lotion onto the back of her hand and massaged it into her skin.
“I mean it. You’re much more interesting than I first thought.”
“Am I? What makes me so fascinating?” I turned over her hand and massaged her palm.
She relaxed against my side. “I said interesting, not fascinating.”
I started on her thumb, rotating each joint. “What would it take to bump me up to fascinating?”
She let out a contented sigh. “You could rescue a puppy or something. Maybe lead a classroom of kids to safety during an earthquake.”
My hands stilled. It was like she’d injected my veins with ice water. I’d never rescue an animal or children or live up to her expectations. Like I’d never lived up to Zara’s. I couldn’t go through that pain again. Better to cut this off right here. “That’s not really my style. I’m more of a save-twenty-five-percent-on-overhead kind of guy.”
“Too bad.” She melted onto my shoulder. “After tonight, I thought you might have a softer side.”
My chin rested on her temple, so I knew she’d feel it when I shook my head. I wasn’t what she needed. She’d been right to keep her distance. I wished I was as strong as she was.
I forced myself to say, “Maybe we should finish reviewing that report on Monday. You’re probably too tired to do it tonight, and I know I am.”
She chuckled. “Are you trying to seduce me, Cole?”
“No. I think you should go home.”
Her body stiffened and she straightened so fast her head knocked against my jaw, sending pain shooting through my molars. But it didn’t rival the ache in my chest.
“You’re right.” She tugged her hand out of mine and flung off the blanket. “Where are my shoes? Oh, there they are.”
When she stood, it was like she’d put on a suit of armor with her four-inch heels. I wished I hadn’t pushed her away, but it was for the best. We could be partners in the office, but being romantic partners was a nonstarter. I’d already failed at that once, and I never played a game I didn’t think I could win. Not when it could hurt Bridget too.
She slipped her laptop into her bag. “I hope Caitlyn feels better tomorrow. Remember, give her a dose of the Tylenol every four hours as long as she has a fever.”
“Should I wake her up tonight to give it to her?”
“No. You can give her some if she wakes up and can’t go back to sleep. Otherwise, wait until morning.”
“Thank you for everything.”And for reminding me what we can’t be.
Her smile wobbled. “See you on Monday.”
Each tap of her heels against the wood floors as she walked out of my place was a nail in my aching heart.
Mason and I met up at the gym before dawn as we usually did on Monday mornings.
“How was your weekend with Caitlyn?” He started his reps on the leg press.
“She had a cold, so it was pretty low-key. We made dinner, watched a movie. Have you ever readProperty of the Rebel Librarian?It’s pretty good for a kids’ book.”
“Back up. You made dinner?”
“Bridget did. She came over on Friday night.”
“Bridget, your co-CEO, came over?”
