Millie
The timer rings through the air, startling us both. Finn steps back, and I jump down to open the oven. I start to stick my hand in to grab the baking sheet but realize at the last minute that I forgot oven mitts.
“Where the hell are the oven mitts?” I turn in a circle, wiping my forehead with the back of my hand, completely frazzled.
Finn calmly opens the drawer beside me and slides his hands into them. “I can get it.”
“Okay.” I turn in a circle again. “I’m going to run to the bathroom,” I blurt as Finn sets the cookie sheet on the stove.
Behind the safety of a closed bathroom door, I stare at my flustered reflection. I take in the thin layer of sweat dotting my forehead, my wild eyes, and the wavy strands of hair flying in every direction around my pink cheeks.
I look way too aroused for a woman baking cookies.
Maybe I need to give myself another pep talk. That seems to be a trend lately. It was only a handful of weeks ago that I was wiping coffee from my dress and trying to convince myself to put on blinders and ignore Finn’s rude behavior.
But this time, the lecture is for my hormones.
Get it together, ladies.
Am I ovulating or something?
That cookie-dough-licking moment was hotter than any other event in my life. My body said,Drag him to a bed. Naughty Millie is on my shoulder, whisper-shouting terrible, wonderful things in my ear.
I mentally read through the list of reasons I’m supposed to stay far away from finger-licking and blushing and thinking about him constantly.
This guy is my coworker.
I’m trying to secure my dream job, and people are going to think I slept my way there if this goesanyfurther.
I’m still healing from a bad relationship.
I pencil in one more item: he just said he doesn’t want to date anyone.
Looking back into the mirror, I find my eyes are still heavy and hazy. How is my reaction to this man so quick and unavoidable? He looks at me, and lust races to the surface, regulating every movement and thought.
It’s nearly painful to stop wanting him at this point. I’ve drawn the lines and held fast to the limits, but tonight feels like a disaster. Like I’ve just thrown it all away because the temptation is more than I can resist.
Remember why, Millie.Remember how important this job is to you and why he can never be anything more than your friend and coworker.
A knock pounds on the front door, presumably our dinner delivery, so I wash my hands and cross my fingers that I can maintain control of my libido for the remainder of the evening.
***
“If I could be any animal in the world, I’d be a shark,” Eloise says, shoveling a scoop of fried rice into her mouth. “Then everybody would be scared of me.”
Finn snorts a laugh. “Most people already are,piccola,” he teases.
She shoots him a dark glare that she must’ve learned from her uncle.
“What would you be, Ave?” I ask.
“A horse because they’re pretty and they run fast,” Avery answers.
“I’d probably eat you, then.” Eloise shrugs.
“No.” Avery shakes her head. “I could run away.”
“But my teeth would bite your leg before you started running.”
