I stepped in closer and looked at the chart she’d created.Even just a quick glance told me that she’d accurately applied the information she’d researched to create a reasonable expectation of profitability within the first three months of launching the EV charger.
I didn’t say anything for a moment, and she bit her bottom lip as she looked at me expectantly, watching my reaction to the chart.The way she worried her bottom lip—soft, deliberate, unguarded—knocked the air out of my lungs.And suddenly, I wasn’t thinking about market projections anymore.I was thinking about her mouth.And kissing her.
Shit.
Her scent permeated my senses, wreaking havoc with my good intentions.This was the part I hadn’t prepared for, the effect she had on me that only grew stronger the closer we stood.I had convinced myself I could handle working beside her, but I’d clearly underestimated how damn tempting she would be.The pull I felt toward her was barely controllable.
Or maybe it wasn’t controllable at all, because before I could think better of it, my hand lifted and I found myself tucking a loose strand of hair behind her ear, then running the pad of my thumb over her cheek.
Morgan froze, seemingly startled by my spontaneous touch.Her eyes widened a fraction, her breath catching as her lashes fluttered.Color crept into her cheeks and she swallowed hard, her gaze locked on mine.She wasn’t leaning in, but she wasn’t backing away either, and that tiny bit of permission felt like a match dropped on gasoline.
The air thickened between us, charged enough to make my pulse thrum through my veins.My whole body tightened with the urge to close the last few inches and taste her again.
But I had something I needed to say first.Something that mattered more than impulse.
“I never doubted your intelligence or your work ethic,” I said in response to her comment about nepotism.“I already knew you earned your place here.”
Her features shifted in an instant, her eyes softening, and her lips parting, just slightly.Her open, unreserved expression hit me so hard it felt like the ground shifted beneath us.Shockingly, she tilted her face up to mine, the invitation subtle, but unmistakable.
An undeniable hunger for her took hold and I lowered my head, not a single rational thought left in my body.Her breath mingled with mine, our lips close enough that I could feel the whisper of her exhale.
Just before we kissed, there was a knock on the office door.
CHAPTER TEN
Morgan
Ijolted atthe sound of a knock.My heart was racing, and my core clenched with arousal, but I suddenly felt like I had been doused with ice water as Liam stepped away.He rounded his desk to put distance between us as he called out for whoever was interrupting us to enter.
I had no chance to pull myself together before the door opened, and I was sure that I looked rattled by the almost kiss that I so desperately, foolishly wanted.My cheeks felt warm, so I was probably flushed, and my breathing was unsteady.
So, I wasn’t thrilled when it was Parker that walked into the office.It justhadto be someone that knew me well enough to notice that I wasn’t my normal calm and composed self.
Thankfully, he didn’t spare me more than a passing glance.His focus went to Liam as he stepped behind one of the chairs in front of the desk, gripping the backrest with tight, white-knuckled fingers.
I knew Parker just as well as he knew me, so it only took one glance at him to know he was having a bad day physically.His shoulders were tense, and there was sweat glistening on his brow.His jaw was tight, and he was taking slow, deliberate breaths in through his nose and out of his mouth.
I recognized those signs.He was in pain.
“Are you okay?”I asked, the heat of sexual tension with Liam shoved instantly aside.“Is it your back?”
“Yeah,” he grunted.“I guess I slept in the wrong position last night.”
Liam looked between the two of us, confusion creasing his brow.
“Parker hurt his back about four years ago,” I explained.“He had a herniated disc and had to have back surgery.”
“I’m mostly fine, but I still get a little stiff sometimes,” Parker explained, one of his hands going to his lower back and rubbing in a tight circle.“Sorry for the interruption, but Dad sent me.”
“What does he need?”Liam asked, accepting the subject change easily.
“He’d like to speak with you if you have time.”
Liam’s gaze shifted to me, and I shrugged.“Go ahead.We can finish our marketing conversation later.”I needed a little distance after that near kiss anyway.
“Okay,” Liam said, his eyes dropping briefly to my lips before he looked away.“I’ll go talk to him now.”
He left the office without another word, and I had to wonder if he was as flustered as I was by what almost happened between us.As soon as he was gone, I let out a breath I didn’t realize I was holding.
