“I shouldn’t.” She stared at me with wide helpless eyes, like she wanted me to tell her to leave.
“And why is that? You could consider this getting more intel on me?” I winked before turning my back to her. “I’ll answer every question you ask on two conditions.”
“Okay, what conditions?”
“Ah, see, you’re interested now.” I grinned at her over my shoulder as I grabbed the eggs and bread from the fridge. She wasn’t looking at my face though. She was blatantly checking out my ass with a slight blush on her face. I fucking loved that slip. “Eyes are up here, Doc.”
“I wasn’t—no, that’s…”
“Hey, I know I have a nice ass. It’s okay to look.”
“Jesus, Oliver.” She pinched her nose, huffing, and it was cute as hell. “This is why I need to leave?—”
“You’re staying, and if it makes you feel better, I’ve checked your ass out no less than a hundred times since you’ve worked for the team. So I’m in the lead in case we’re keeping score.”
Her teeth came down on her bottom lip as she shook her head, but then she snorted that unfiltered sound again. That sound meant her guard was down, and I liked it.
“Okay fine. You’re very strong, and you work hard to have a toned body.”
I tilted my head, mocking her earlier. “Do you have to sound so clinical? You could tell me I’m hot.”
“Pretty sure you’re aware of how you look.”
“Ah, there she is. I’ve wondered if you had a teasing side to you.” I waited for her to smile before grabbing a pan. “Now, my two conditions if you’re interested.”
“Fine, let’s hear them.”
“Set your damn iPad to the side.”
“Done.” She set it on the table near the door. “What else?”
“For every question I answer, I get to ask you one.”
Her eyes widened a fraction, like she really wasn’t expecting me to say that. I liked surprising her, and I leaned my elbowsonto the island counter, waiting for her to respond. I used the time to admire the way the hoodie crept up a bit when she crossed her arms. Half an inch of skin was showing, and it looked as smooth as her neck.
“What’s it gonna be, Doc?”
“Why would you want to ask me questions?”
“Because I find you fascinating.” There, that was the truth. I wanted to know what made her want this job, why she was here, why she didn’t confront those assholes in the break room. “Now do we have a deal?”
She scoffed before sliding onto the barstool near the island. “The only reason I’m staying is because I really want French toast.”
“Atta girl. I do make a mean one.”
She pulled up one leg, wrapping her arm around her knee as she eyed me whisking the eggs. “Have you always been this…charming?”
“Yes.” I smirked. “From birth, baby.”
She smiled, the first real one of the evening. “I can see that. Are you the oldest or youngest?”
“Oldest.”
“You can tell a lot about a person from the sibling order.” Her eyes lit up. “I bet you take responsibility for things that aren’t yours. You probably apologized for stuff before anyone asked you to. Learned how to be good at everything so no one had to worry about you.”
“Thank god the iPad isn’t here, because that sounded like an analysis, Doc, and I forbid any of that if you want my toast.” I narrowed my eyes at her, teasing but pretending to be mad. “However, I answered your question, so I get one.”
“Go for it.” She hugged her knee tighter but leaned forward as I dipped the bread in the egg mixture.
