The man who rations his responses in the office to limit any and all interactions is suddenly a Chatty Cathy on a charm offensive.
I’m not prepared for this, but since when have I ever let that stop me?
“We’ve worked together for two years, and I don’t know anything about you that I haven’t learned from the internet.”
He walks me to the passenger side of the truck, supporting me as I pull myself up into the seat.
“What would you like to know?”
Oh, wow.Just like that?
“Um …” I didn’t think this far ahead.
He closes the door and walks around the front.The leather jacket he’s wearing stops at his waist and gives me direct eye contact with his ass.Does the man own a single pair of pants that makes him look bad?
How am I supposed to function in these conditions?
He hops in, and the truck roars to life.“Ready?”
“As I’ll ever be.”
* * *
“I read a lot of comics, growing up—manga especially—and fell in love with the way it merged complex stories with beautiful artistry.I always wanted to be able to draw, but sadly, the most I’m qualified for are stick figures.”
“Manga?Really?”
“Not pretentious enough?”
I laugh, and he joins me.
The world always seems to hang heavy on his shoulders, hunching them.I’ve always wondered what he might look like, free from it.It’s nice.More than nice.Fantastic.I like him without the permanent furrow.His smile smooths out the tanned skin into something softer, sweeter.
He’s beautiful.
“No, it’s much too interesting,” I tease.“You’re a mystery to everyone.All we see are scowls and silence.Half of the office is convinced you’re secretly a vampire, sleeping in a coffin.The other half is scared you have blackmail on us all.”
“Which half are you?”
“Doesn’t matter.I’ve got nothing to hide.”
“Clever girl.”
The back of my neck starts to perspire.I crack open the window and let the blast of frozen air from outside cool me off.“If I’d known how different you were outside of work, I’d have …”
“What?”He shifts gears, and I stare at the vein running along the back of his hand.His fingers are long, thick.“How did you imagine me?Am I waiting in a dark corner, teeth bared, desperate to taste you?”
Fuck.That question is dangerous.I’m not about to tell him how many times I’ve seen him take off his jacket and thought of him stripping his tie off, his shirt, his pants …
I clear my throat.“I don’t know.”I’m stalling.“The same way you are at work, you know?Powerful.”Shit, I didn’t mean to say that.“Or, um … commanding.”
“Do I intimidate you?”
Yes, but I like it.“Not in a bad way.”
“You like it.”
Oh God.I’m starting to sweat.
