As his hand clasps mine, his thumb brushes deliberately across my knuckles. The touch is subtle. It isn’t sleazy but comforting.
I swallow the lump in my throat, release his hold, and nod before following Henry out.
I know there’s another side to Max that exists beneath his cool exterior now. And I suspect neither of us will be able to unsee whatever it was we just shared.
Chapter Sixteen
Max
I gave the campaign to Henry and Gemma. Of course I did. Grayson and I want the best, and Henry and Gemma are it.
There. Anna’s happy. Everyone’s happy.
Thingsshouldbe fine now. Decisions made, time to move forward with the job. But the way Gemma locked eyes with me this afternoon has messed with my head.
I tried to ignore how stunning she looked. Tried to distract myself with the secretary who was practically throwing herself at me. It was working… somewhat, anyway. But then Gemma pierced me with those pale green eyes and I saw something I haven’t seen in her before. It wasn’t the fire she usually throws at me. It wasn’t irritation. It wasn’t even sexual.
She looked at me like she was revisiting a memory she thought was lost forever.
She looked like she was about to cry, and something inside me reoriented.
I was just a man seeing a woman baring herself, her protective layers peeled back to expose raw, unfiltered honesty. And Christ, it hit me harder than any look of desire ever could.
I’m turning soft. I don’t know what’s happening to me.
I need to get a grip. Leading by emotions never ends well.
Not only is it a terrible idea to sleep with a colleague, but I can’t do that to Anna. My sister would absolutely lose her mind if I laid a finger on her best friend, especially after what happened with Nicole.
With everything she’s going through with Mason, the last thing she needs is me causing further stress.
Right.Think of Anna.
Good. It’s working.
Now that boundaries have been established, we can begin again and forge ahead.
Problem solved.
“Max.” A knock sounds at the door before the handle moves and the door cracks open. “Sorry to interrupt.” The melodic voice pulls me from my work, and I lift my head to lock eyes with Gemma.
I lean back in my chair, fighting the urge to let my gaze peruse her stunning figure. “No problem. How can I help?”
She steps forward and my eyes betray me, darting down to where her fitted shirt is snug against her tits, doing absolutely nothing for my concentration.
“There are a couple things I wanted to go over with you. Do you have any spare time this afternoon?” she asks. Her tone is measured and purely business, but I don’t miss the way her focus darts to my forearms before returning to my face.
I quickly click through my calendar for the day, already knowing what I’ll find. “Sorry, I’m booked solid with back-to-backs until six.”
“Right, no worries.” She shifts her weight. “I’m happy to send you an email, but I’d much rather we discussed this in person. Face-to-face is always… easier,” she says.
“I’m happy to stay back if it’s pressing,” I offer, telling myself it’s courteous.
Her chest rises as she takes a deep breath, and I force my eyes to remain on her face instead of that silly little shirt. She pulls out her phone, swiping through what I assume is her calendar. “I can do that.”
“You sure? I’d hate to keep you back unnecessarily.” My words come out rougher than intended.
She lifts her brows. “I’m sure. It’s important.” She pauses. “The work, I mean. It’s important work we need to discuss.”
