Adam doesn’t seem deterred, and he doesn’t crowd me the same way Nick did when he showed interest. “I have a feeling you’re not used to this level of honesty.”
I shake my head. “Not quite.”
He does step closer, still a few feet away. “You’ve been through something traumatic, and I don’t want to pressure you or make you uncomfortable. Although, I think I am.”
I laugh a little.
“No. Not really. I just—” Am I really going to admit this right now? “I don’t have a lot of experience, and it’s probably why my choices keep blowing up in my face.”
“What kind of choices?”
My arms tighten around me. “I don’t even know how to start…”
“Well, it’s certainly not for a lack of male interest, I’m sure.”
I let out an exasperated breath and lean my head back to look at the ceiling instead of him. Because this is torturous. It’s so much easier when I don’t talk about these things.
“You don’t agree with me? No hordes of men throwing themselves at your feet?”
My attention swings back to him. “Not hardly.”
He nods as if that’s some giant revelation. The way he examines me directly makes my skin prickle with anticipation.
“If I didn’t directly state that I’m attracted to you, you would probably question everything I’ve said and twist it into something else. Wouldn’t you?”
Lips parting, I have no answer. Or at least, the words won’t come. Because I would probably do just that.
“You can’t tell when someone’s interested in you until they make the first move.” His nostrils flare. “It’s put you at the mercy of those men.”
There’s no way he’s guessing at this. He could have asked anyone and gotten plenty to make this kind of judgement off of. I’m not that easy to read, right?
“What have you heard?”
That makes Adam smirk at me, but he takes a few steps back. “I just need to be sure you know that I’m not married. Not engaged. Not committed to anyone in any way.”
Air tunnels into my lungs, and it’s hard to let it out again.
“Get settled. I’ll be back to check on you soon.” Adam slips through the door, closing it behind him, and I suck in gasps, fanning my face.
God, what the fuck was that?
Shaking my head, he wasn’t beating around the bush. But I’m not…I can’t handle that right now. It’s not a smart move.
No. Even if he isn’t my boss, I can’t jump into something new.
My heart is battered too much for that.
And I’m not the casual kind of girl. Not that anyone would believe me given my reputation.
Running a hand through my hair, I turn and take in the office.
My office? It’s pretty blank, empty.
A desk and some shelves.
Monochrome binders and notebooks lined up. It’s small but more than enough space for me to work.
That’s what I need to do. Get to work.
