“I’m so sorry!” I apologize, lifting my head. I go rigid when I see who I collided with, and my lower stomach does some kind of backflip.
Of course, of all the people I can run into, it has to behim. Do I have the ability to summon the man with my thoughts?
I stare up into the icy gray eyes behind his glasses. When he sees it’s me, he frowns and bends to grab my phone before I can. He glances at the crack on the screen—already there before the fall—and then hands it back to me.
“You should look ahead when you walk.” His voice is stern and cold, but I barely notice as he adjusts his glasses, and my brain goes MIA. Damn it, since when do I have a thing for men wearing glasses?
Trying to appear unfazed, I look at the papers in his hands. He wasn’t looking ahead either, or this wouldn’t have happened. He seems to catch my train of thought. “I’m working. You were texting. Not the same.” Well, he isn’t totally wrong, so I keep my mouth shut.
“Are you looking for HR?”
“Yes, they forgot to have me sign something this morning.”
“I see.” That’s all I get before he’s back on his way. After two steps, he turns to me again, hesitant. A faint touch of appreciation veils his stoic expression. “By the way, not too bad, She-Hulk.”
Not waiting for my answer, he resumes his course. I stand there like an idiot, watching him walk away. Pride swells in my chest, not because he is my boss, but because he is a fantastic player, and getting recognition from him means a lot.
As he walks away from me, I can’t help but take a few seconds to admire his form. He’s around 6’3”, has broad shoulders, narrow hips, and is muscular. He isn’t buff, but he definitely works out. There is no doubt he does squats—not with that ass.
Eventually, he disappears into a room, and losing sight of him gives me back control of my brain.
For the tenth time today, I scold myself when I glance down at my phone. My screen is still on, and the message I sent Kate is displayed.
Me
It’s going great, except for my boss, who’s both a sexist asshole and the hottest man I’ve ever seen.
Okay, if I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me earlier, it’s nothing compared to now. I’m one embarrassing moment away fromleaving everything and becoming a llama shepherd in the Andes mountains.
Could he have read it? He had his glasses on, so he could have, but he didn’t gaze at my phone for more than two seconds, and the cracked screen could have distracted him from what lay behind it. It’s very possible he didn’t read it. He would have fired me or argued he isn’t sexist.
My phone buzzes in my hand. Kate replied.
Kate
OMG! You have to tell me everything in detail tonight!!! Can you snap a picture of him?
I roll my eyes and type a quick answer.
Me
Calma tus tetas, blondie, I’m not taking a picture of him. I’ll spill the tea tonight, tho. Gtg, love you.
With a sigh, I shove my phone into my pocket and head to HR to sign those last papers.
Once I return to the Lair, I spend the rest of the afternoon working with Mason, getting accustomed to how things are run here. When we reach five-thirty, everyone packs up, ready to go home. It’s nice to have regular hours for once. I’m particularly exhausted after this intense first day. Once all my things are ready to go, I hook my headphones around my neck and walk out at the same time as Oliver.
“Is it creepy if I say I’m thrilled you turned out to be a woman?” he asks as we walk to the elevators.
“Maybe a little,” I laugh, half-amused, half-flattered.
“Yeah, I figured… I’m not sure how to explain it. I feel like you’ll add some delicateness to the office.”
“I wouldn’t bet on that.” I wince.
He laughs and pushes the elevator button. “Well, I’ll say you’re nicer to look at than another bearded nerd, then. Steven is enough.”
Unfamiliar with this kind of situation, I don’t know how to reply to his compliment, so I plaster an awkward smile on my face. Oliver is cute and charming in his own way, and he has the confidence that comes with it. Discreetly looking at him, I take in his profile. He’s a good seven inches taller than me, and his auburn hair makes him stand out. His build is slender but not to a fault, and his face is a little angular, but it gives him an undeniable charm.
