God, his stare is so piercing. Not just in color, but in intensity.
Gluing my eyes to my computer screen, I sign in to it and open my email, trying to think and focus on anything other than Bates. But I can’t help but to overhear their conversation.
“How would you describe your ideal partner? Introvert or extrovert? Somewhere in the middle?” she asks.
Somehow, I can still feel his gaze on me, and I just know if I turn my head, I’ll lock eyes with him.
“A mix maybe? An introvert who blossoms like a flower when they’re comfortable. Who opens up completely in the right environment and with the right … touch. Maybe someone who’s extroverted enough to start their own business and chase success and their passions. But also the type of girl who loves a night in, curled up on the couch with a glass of wine.”
My spine tingles, warmth spreading through my chest and cheeks. It’s just a coincidence; he’s obviously not describing me.
“O-kay. Got it. Got it.” She types. “How would you describe your ideal partner physically? Type of lifestyle?”
Peeking out of the corner of my eye, I see that his stare hasn’t shifted an inch, still locked on me as he speaks. “Someone who appreciates sweets as much as I do. I like a girl around … hmm … five-foot-four. Someone with a little spice and flair. Red hair,” he says matter-of-factly, no quiver or hesitancy in his voice. “Blue eyes.” He chuckles. “Likes to pout. Has far too big of an attitude for her size?—”
“Okay, enough!” I push away from my desk and stand, turning to face them in one fluid motion. “No. No.No! I am not a game to be played,Bates.”
Miles’s and Julia’s heads whip my way, their eyes widened with surprise. I never raise my voice, certainly never before my employees.
Bates runs his hand through his soft, fluffy hair, rising to his feet and addressing Ker. “Add that to my ideal person—that theyhategames.” He clicks his tongue in disappointment. “A shame, but I can accept it.”
Ignoring their shock, I continue to berate the stupid, annoying, ridiculously attractive hockey player in front of me. “We have a right to decline our services to anyone, and right now, I’m upholding that rule againstyou.”
Bates bunches his cream sweater over his heart in his fist, his bottom lip jutting out. His broad shoulders lean back, lifting his sweater above the waist of his jeans.
My eyes betray me, dropping to the inch of his exposed skin, firm and thick. And,oh dear God, he has a happy trail.
Stop.
You dumb bitch, stop looking!
But by the time my eyes drift back up to his, the most arrogant, annoying smile is stretched across his face.
“Side note, Ker Bear: I’d also like it noted that my person has to have these eyes that can just cut through you with a single glare. Beautiful, bright blue.”
“Get out.” I cross my arms and stomp my foot, my chest suddenly tight with emotion that I don’t quite understand. “Get out, or I’ll call my dad.”
“Yourdad?” He laughs. “Ooh, scary. What’s he going to do? Cut a minute off my playing time? We both know he needs me on the ice. Try again.”
Striding toward him, I grab his phone off Ker’s desk and smack it into his chest, up to my limit in his bullshit. “Goodbye. If you come back, I’ll call the police.”
He snickers, glancing down at me with amusement. “I think I like it when you threaten me …” He trails off, shock filling his gaze like he was about to say something he shouldn’t.
Taking his sudden silence as a win, I smile. “Ugh, silent is just the way I like you.”
His tongue swipes across his teeth, a dimple forming in his cheek. “I guess I’ll fill the application out online.” He checks his phone. “Besides, I have to get to practice.”
Flashing the smoothest wink I’ve ever seen, he takes his phone from my hand and strolls out of the office, like this was all just a tiny blip in his morning.
My shoulders are heaving as the door swings shut. Suddenly, I become reminded that I have three onlookers who witnessed all of that.
“Umm,” Kerrigan starts, her voice high-pitched andaccusatory—I know that because I’ve heard that exact sound a thousand times over the course of our friendship
“Shut it.” I brush her aside, just for a moment so I can cool off. “I’ll be right back.”
Following Bates out into the parking lot, I’m happy to find that he and his oversize pickup are already long gone.
The biggest sigh leaves me, and my shoulders relax ever so slightly. “Fuck!”
